Slightly Off Topic--Follow-up TDK Media for MAC USERS

[terryj]

Don't know why my last post was moved, but this pertains to the users in the MAC FORUM, so please don't move.

To follow-up on my earlier posting,
I went to Best Buy and was going to make
the purchase of the TDK DVD-Rs tha
were on sale. When I got there, the
DVD-Rs were down to their last spindle.
As I went to reach for the last spindle,
The blue shirt was putting out more stock
of the DVDR-S.

Now what he put out suprised me...
The new 'spindles" were actually 2 50 packs shrunk wrap,
but what he put out I couldn't believe,
so see for yourself:



They are listed as TDK 4x Blanks!
I put back my spindle of 2x media,
and grabbed one of thse new "spindles"
and paid and went home.

I cracked open the "spindle" and here,
truly is what the media said:



so I decided to do a test and see if this would truly
burn at a rate of 4x in my POWERMAC Superdrive
a-104 at 4x, using Toast Titanium 6.

Low and behold, the media inserts into my A-104,
and it comes up as Best Burn, and if I select off
of Best Burn, my only option is 1x speed!!!

I'm curious as to any other Mac users who went out today
and bought TDK media, if (1) their Best Buy did a switch
and put out these spindles, and if (2) they got them to
show up as 1x burning only or as 2x or better burning
in their MACINTOSHES.

[Capmaster]

Don't know why my last post was moved, but this pertains to the users in the MAC FORUM, so please don't move.

https://www.videohelp.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=233908

It was moved because I didn't see anything specific to MacIntosh in your post. It was a post about DVD-R prices. Please enlighten me as to why this applies to Mac users only.

[FCPguy]

I would say it is important to keep here, because us Mac guys are working together to figure stuff out with our own machines. It's info we can all learn from, and we want it where we post it, so our group can learn from it without having to search all over this webpage for it. PC guys have tons of different tools and yes, we use the same media, but we are here to help each other- so I say let it stay please. Thanks

[Capmaster]

I would say it is important to keep here, because us Mac guys are working together to figure stuff out with our own machines. It's info we can all learn from, and we want it where we post it, so our group can learn from it without having to search all over this webpage for it. PC guys have tons of different tools and yes, we use the same media, but we are here to help each other- so I say let it stay please. Thanks

Fair enough. I hadn't considered the overwhelming amount of PC stuff you guys must have to sort through in order to get Mac tools. In the same situation I would want to keep the posts close to home too. Thanks for the explanation

I'll leave the other post in Media, and this one here

[FCPguy]

You are the man- Thanks again- FCPguy

[willrob]

I thought an A-104 couldn't burn at 4X, no matter what kind of media. If I remember correctly one had to do an Apple firmware update just to burn at 2X with 4X media. But I may be remembering that wrong.

[Lobe]

the Pioneer 105 was their first 4x burner, the 104 is only 2x, and i think you're right about making sure your firmware is updated.
Also, TDK does NOT make their own media, it could be a number of different types... and that's hard to tell on a Mac, as there is not a disc info app for us yet. So if TDK worked for you one time it may not the next. B

[FCPguy]

Yes there is a newer app that does this. Do a search and you will find it posted here a couple days ago-

[terryj]

Your right Will,
it is set via the A227 firmware
("Notice to Apple Superdrive Users" many moons ago),
so yes, A-04/DVR-104s can only burn at 2x max.

I was hoping someone could tell me this was
either a misprint on the media itself,
( and in actuality was 2x TDK media),
or if someone's Superdrive read otherwise.
This doesn't seem to be the case.

Worse yet, I took the media back up to Best Buy,
explained my dillemena, they sent me back to Computers,
where the guy there told me that was all they recieved
in the way of TDK -R media! I had him call to the other Best Buy
in town, and they were sold out! So needless to say,
I got a refund, and plan on trying Target tomorrow,
(with a little price matching)
as I'm just about out of media.


So, to summarize: Mac users beware, apparently, Best Buy
maybe discontinuing carrying 2x certified TDK media, and us
older Superdrive users may be stuck!

[AntnyMD]

So, to summarize: Mac users beware, apparently, Best Buy
maybe discontinuing carrying 2x certified TDK media, and us
older Superdrive users may be stuck!

You're soooo correct there. I actually found TDK as an alternative when Apple stopped selling Apple-branded 2x media. I spent many days pissed off at them.

Apple now only sells 4x and 8x media.

[Capmaster]

You are the man- Thanks again- FCPguy

Awww...shucks You're welcome!

[galactica]

So, to summarize: Mac users beware, apparently, Best Buy
maybe discontinuing carrying 2x certified TDK media, and us
older Superdrive users may be stuck!

NO!!!!!!!
There will always be some place to get these though. Man these are my favorite media

wonder if those 4x work in newer drives with no problems and have the trusted reliability of the 2x TDK

[thomasbbb]

hi...

just want to add a comment re: TDK 2X DVD-R...

I've been using them for a long time with my Toshiba 5002 DVD burner (replaced original DVD player only in my G4}...

I recently purchased an NEC 2510A burner, and those same TDK 2x now burn at 4X... using original 2.15 firmware...

The quality of TDK 2x have always been excellent, but it's true TDK doesn't manufacturer their own disks... the few I have left have media code -> RITEK G04... I highly recommend this URL for listings of DVD media ratings and media codes: http://www.digitalfaq.com/media/dvdmedia.htm. It is very educational.

BTW, the URL for dvd media inspector, which reads media codes (on a Mac) is http://homepage.mac.com/raktajino/dvdmediainspector/dvdmediainspector.html.

and finally, the hell with 2x AND 4x... I'm using Verbatim "Digital Movie" 4x DVD-Rs (media code -> MCC) and they burn at 8x in the NEC! Again, this is using original firmware.

good luck.

[AntnyMD]

Where did you get the TDK 2x with the Ritek code? I looked at my TDK's last night in Media Inspector and my code was TDK G02

[tWoSour]

what is the media code for these TDK 2x discs? I hope its not ritek

[thomasbbb]

AntnyMD...

They are the tale end of a "massive" purchase I made long long time ago... so there's no telling whose making the TDK 2X today...

Curiosity has the better of me... would like to hear from someone who has bought those TDK 4X DVD-Rs from Best Buy... media code?

I suspect this Best Buy 'sale price" is going to be pretty standard as 16X starts to flood the market later this year.

[terryj]

Went to Target..got them after some arm twisting
to do a pricematch ( they had to call BB to verify
they were out, and that the item wasn't clearanced, etc.)
Wouldn't had went through the hell it took, but they are the
only one in my area that carries 100 packs...Comp-USA is
ALWAYS out here, amazing thing since they sell their 100 pks
of TDK for $159!

I will check the media code when I get home.
Yes, I hope this isn't a sign that TDK is preparing
to stop making 2x media like Apple...if so,
I would have to bite the bullet and get an
-106 or -107 drive!

[Lobe]

I have some 4x TDK that are Ritek, I think the TDK G02 is made by CMC now in Taiwan. If they are Made in Japan they were made by TDK, but I think they stopped making their media completly. The Ritek's are great--they have higher quality control for the ones they sell to Fuji/TDK etc.. But for the price just get Ritek so you know what you're getting.

For important archives I use Taiyo Yuden or Maxell(Made in Japan only) for other uses dvd back-ups etc... the ProDisc are cheap and excellent quality, haven't had a bad one.

[AntnyMD]

Now that I recall, I did purchase some discs branded Memorex off Amazon long ago because they came in some neat jewel cases ... and not one has ever failed, even though I treat them fairly rough (they're porn dupes) and they have been through several hand inspections at Homeland Security as I re-entered the country....

[FCPguy]

AntnyMD- That has to be one of the best posts I've ever read ha ha