general blank media question

[vandakeg]

I have a Pioneer A04, so obviously I can only burn at 2x. My question is, however, would it be beneficial for me to buy 4x media? I'm wondering b/c it seems to me that 4x media would have to be manufactured more carefully, and more precisely, in order for it to be able to hold up to 4x burning.

I'm most worried about compatibility with set top players, and price really isn't an issue (well, it is, but I'm willing to pay for compatibility).

I was really just wondering if, b/c a certain media is 4x capable, does that make it better quality, and therefor more compatible?

[SLK001]

...that 4x media would have to be manufactured more carefully, and more precisely, in order for it to be able to hold up to 4x burning.

Why would you think that? If a vendor is willingly going to ship crap, what compulsion would he have to ship higher speed crap? What he is probably doing, is just changing his labeling machine from labeling his 1X product "4X" (where before, it was "2X").

Caveat Emptor

[vandakeg]

Are you saying that the only difference b/w a 2x capable media, and a 4x capable media, is the label on the disc?

[mdubnik]

By no means am I an expert on this subject, but I think what SLK was trying to say is this:

You get what you pay for, meaning that most crap is just that...CRAP. A lot of companies stampt 1X or 2X on their discs, and then also send out 4X stuff that is just the same level of crap. You will learn that there are people who can make it work for them with their specific setup, but in the end, you get what you pay for.

In my opinion, if you are willing to pay a little more for the name brand stuff (like I am), then you will get genuine stuff when you pay for it. I mean, I would much rather pay $1.50 for a disc and get good stuff with a name brand on it, than to pay $0.70 for something that works 30-50% of the time.

I'm sure this will spark some debate, but I'm just trying to state my personal opinion. Again, in the end, crap is crap, and you may get a 1X and 4X from the same batch because a company is trying to make a dime or two.

[vandakeg]

Ok, I understand what you're saying, and it makes sense. Maybe I should refine my question a bit. Let's throw out all 'budget media', and only consider respected name brands like maxell or pioneer.

Would SLK's point of crap being crap apply to these, more respectable name brand discs? Would Maxell or Pioneer (or any other good name brand manufacturer) use the same 2x discs, w/ a 4x stamp on it so that burners will burn at 4x?

I am just under the assumption that in order for a blank disc to be able to handle the faster burn rates, it would have to be of higher quality and manufacturing, and thus, be more compatible with set top players... then again, I could be way off.. it just seems to make sense to me, but I was wondering if my assumption could hold any truth.

[defense]

@vandakeg...apparently some burners won't burn 4x media even @2x, so it is not advisable to use 4x media. Another reason I'd be against it is because 4x media is still relatively new. I think Verbatim was the first to release a 4x disk..back in November...so you are talking about 6-7 months since its inception.

It also takes more power to write @4x then it does to write @ 2x ....the write strategies are different and it's more then just a label difference on the disks as you can see.

If that isn't enough....why pay more for a 4x disk which you CAN'T burn @ 4x anyway? No, the quality is NOT better just because a disk is a 4x disk...if ANYTHING...the antithisis is true.

[mdubnik]

I agree with what has been said, but I look at it this way:

It takes more than just a 4X disc being thrown into any burner, with any computer, setup, and then played in any player, to work successfully. There are so many unknowns that can still pop up in this process we are all here to discuss. What I feel is that when you find a disk in your price range, that is readily available, that burns at your desired speed, and plays in your home DVD player---you should stick with it. Are there people out there willing to pay less for lower speeds? Yes. Are there people out there willing to make a few coasters and save money by buying cheap discs? Yes. Do a lot of people spend $1.50--$2.00 a disc for higher speed, higher quality, and more reliable speed? Yes (I personally do).

My final point is that companies do make cheap discs and call them what they are not. I feel that it does take more time and energy to make better quality discs, and some companies stamp their name on these discs (Ritek), and some just contract it out.

As I always say in this forum regarding DVD issues, and as is my motto in life: You get what you pay for!!