Metallized azo dyes are paid much attention as recording media of digital versatile disc-recordable (DVD-R) due to their excellent optical and thermal properties within short wavelength (630 to approximately 650 nm). In this paper, a novel metallized azo dye has been synthesized. Smooth films on optical glass and single-crystal silicon were prepared by spin-coating method. The UV-Vis absorption spectra of the dye were measured in solution and in film. The optical constants (complex refractive index N=n+\ik) of the film on single-crystal silicon have been determined using scanning ellipsometer. The variation of the complex refractive index N with wavelength λ was obtained. Thermo-gravimetric analysis (TGA) of the dye showed clear threshold of thermal decomposition. Static optical recording tests were carried out to evaluate the performance of the optical recording medium. The results show that the dye is a promising candidate as a recording medium of DVD-R.