A magnetic recording medium exhibiting high remanent coercivity and low noise is produced by depositing a first NiAl seedlayer on a non-magnetic substrate, e.g., glass, ceramic or glass-ceramic material, at a relatively low temperature, and subsequently depositing a second NiAl seedlayer on the first seedlayer at a relatively higher temperature. Embodiments include depositing a first NiAl seedlayer at a temperature less than about 120.degree. C., e.g., less than about 100.degree. C., and depositing a second NiAl seedlayer thereon at a temperature greater than about 200.degree. C., e.g. greater than about 230.degree. C. Embodiments also include depositing a Cr-alloy underlayer, CrV, on the second seedlayer.