blank question

[nanajewel]

I am so confused over all of the different types of blank dvd's out there. What is the difference between DVD-R and DVD+R and what is the differnce between 8X speed and 16X speed? I usually buy 8x speed, I don't know why but this time I picked up 16X speed by mistake.

[soup]

You can read this:

http://forum.digital-digest.com/show...threadid=46559.

This:

http://forum.digital-digest.com/show...threadid=49635.

You can also use this to check what you bought:

http://www.dvdrhelp.com/dvdmedia.

[nanajewel]

I just tried to burn with the new blanks I just bought and it won't work. I am not sure what all you need to know so here is everything.

_NEC DVD_RW ND-3500AG 2.98 (ATA)
Current Profile: DVD-R

Disc Information:
Status: Empty
Erasable: No
Free Sectors: 2,298,496
Free Space: 4,707,319,808 bytes
Free Time: 510:48:46 (MM:SS:FF)

Pre-recorded Information:
Manufacturer ID: CMC MAG. AM3

Physical Format Information (Last Recorded):
Disc ID: 0@P-!-00
Book Type: DVD-R
Part Version: 5
Disc Size: 120mm
Maximum Read Rate: Not Specified
Number of Layers: 1
Track Path: Parallel Track Path (PTP)
Linear Density: 0.267 um/bit
Track Density: 0.74 um/track
First Physical Sector of Data Area: 196,608
Last Physical Sector of Data Area: 2,495,103
Last Physical Sector in Layer 0: 0




When I try to burn on it it won't work, I keep getting a error

[Kabuchan]

Your media may be your problem, this is the first rule of burning...

1. Buy good media (like Taiyo Yuden or Verbatim) that is suited to your burner AND players (see here). In particular, steer clear of cheap stuff like CMC Magnetics. Cheap media is the major source of burning problems. ONLY use Verbatim disks for dual layer burns.

I would junk those and get something better. Check this site its also in Blutach's signature.

[nanajewel]

Thanks for the advice. I figured that was the problem. These were not cheap so I thought they were ok, they are Philips which I thought would be ok. I have never seen anything called Taiyo Yuden or Verbatim in our area. We live in a small rural area and we only have a Zellers department store which is crappy. If I go to the city where would I purchase these dvd's? Thank you.

[nanajewel]

I still don't know the difference between + and - dvd's or what speed to get.

[katzdvd]

Taiyo Yuden or Verbatim

Sam's Club has Verb. in my area.

For TY & good deals on all media,
Supermediastore

Does the package say the media ID on it?

Not that I've ever seen; that's why it pays to buy from a reputable source, so you know what you're getting!

regards, katz

[Chewy]

dee's 2TG supports those blanks, they are still crap

bitsetting

towards the bottom of the page

http://liggydee.cdfreaks.com/page/3500/

boot into safe mode, drive empty and update that firmware

[nanajewel]

Sam's Club has Verb. in my area.

For TY & good deals on all media,
Supermediastore

regards, katz

Thanks for the link to supermediastore, I will give it a try as we don't have sam's club either.
Next time I'm in Toronto I will have to do some searching around.
Thanks katz

[nanajewel]

dee's 2TG supports those blanks, they are still crap

bitsetting

towards the bottom of the page

http://liggydee.cdfreaks.com/page/3500/

boot into safe mode, drive empty and update that firmware

Thanks for the help, I think I will just chalk it up to a lesson learned and dispose of the disc's and buy some good one. Thanks.

[Chewy]

bottom line is old media isn't being made anymore, try to get the latest firmware on your burner to use blanks that are being made

better find some 8x media if you want to stay with old firmware

nec drives 3500..3520...3540..3550 now 7700?

[nanajewel]

bottom line is old media isn't being made anymore, try to get the latest firmware on your burner to use blanks that are being made

better find some 8x media if you want to stay with old firmware

nec drives 3500..3520...3540..3550 now 7700?

Oh, ok, got you. I will install it now. Thank you so much for being so helpful.

[Chewy]

your burner is one of the best ones ever made and these disks also

http://www.blankmedia.ca/proddetail3.asp?id=303

[nanajewel]

Chewy I just went out and found some Verbatim dvd's so that problem is solved.
You said I need to update my firmware, I am confused about this as I have no idea what firmware is or what is the best one for me to use or how to do it.

Just to let people know that Future Shop has Verbatim 16XDVD-R 50 pack on sale right now for $17.99

[Chewy]

if you get good consistent burns with those 16x verbs then leave well enough alone, your present firmware may support them, imgburn will show the burn speeds available if it does(put in a blank)