Magnetic and magneto-optic recording technologies are continuing to evolve at a rapid pace resulting in longer playing times and more data being stored in ever decreasing volumes. Thin-film media are playing an important role in this process. Three different type of thin-film media are discussed here, namely, a hard disk application for data recording, metal-evaporated tape for audio/video applications and CoNi/Pt multilayer for application as a magneto-optic media for blue laser recording. The relationship between deposition parameters (evaporation and sputtering), structural parameters and magnetic and recording behaviour are discussed.