Wondering if I shoud invest in a new burner

[Jon_Are]

My current burner (HP 300n) works fine, but I'd like to get things done at a faster pace. It's max speed is, I think, 2.4X.

I'm considering getting a 16X.

Question 1: I've read here that you shouldn't burn faster than 4X - does this mean never?? Should I bother even trying faster speeds?

Question 2: Will I notice much difference going from 2.4 to 4X? It currently takes me around 1 1/2 hours to do a complete burn; is this reasonable, or can I do better?

Question 3: Much of the time it takes, it seems, is in the analyzing and decrypting phase, which I suspect may not be much affected by a faster drive (I'm guessing the burning phase would improve somewhat, but not these first phases). Am I correct?

This is a fantastic site - I appreciate all I've learned here.

Thanks,

Jon

[cynthia]

1. If you can get your burns error free with burning faster than 4x feel free to go for that higher speed. You need high quality media for that.
2.

• 2.4x = 29 min
  4x = 14 min
  8x = 8 min

3. True. Only the burning time is affected.

[Jon_Are]

When you say high-quality media, does that mean basically any name brand?

Would Memorex qualify?

TDK?

Thanks,

Jon

[setarip]

"Would Memorex qualify?"

Absolutely NOT!

You'd be hardpressed to find a positive posting regarding Memorex burnable DVD media at these or any other forums...

[PinkusFloydus]

Mind if i ask if maxell is any good? ive seen a deal on a 4.7 +r 25 pk and am tempted.

[setarip]

I have had a great deal of success with Maxell DVD-Rs and DVD+Rs, both 4X-rated and 8X-rated...

[jmet]

Verbatim, Ritek Ridata, Tayio Yuden are all good media, but you really want to verify the media ID. - http://forum.digital-digest.com/show...threadid=48910

[PinkusFloydus]

Thanks, ill give Maxell a try then.

[setarip]

"Thanks, ill give Maxell a try then."

My pleasure ;>}

[Jon_Are]

"Would Memorex qualify?"

Absolutely NOT!

This is interesting, because I first tried TDKs, and about half failed.

I've burned about 20 Memorex's, and haven't failed yet.

These are the only two brands I've tried so far.

Jon

[Raiza]

I have off brand, mom and pops kinda no name DVD-R and i have burned about 20 of them and none have failed yet. They are 8x and im burning them at 16x.
Guess I found a lucky batch.

[setarip]

To Jon_Are and Raiza

Anything is possible in the short term...

[PinkusFloydus]

Yep, i can definitely recommend the maxells, 3 good burns so far at 4x. Using dvd decrypters media maker finder tool thingy they came up as yuden. They a good brand then?

[setarip]

"They a good brand then?"

Most definitely...

[wtfchuck]

Some TDK and Fuji blanks Ive bought show up as Ritek so I think some companies just put thier name on them