Memorex DVD-R & macroblocks

[kenmo]

A few Memorex DVD-Rs I purchased at Wallmart are exhibiting macroblocks and picture breaking up / stuttering on my Pioneer DV333 standalone player. This happens towards the end of the DVD-R.

The begining of the DVD-R plays fine. I burn these DVD-Rs on my Pioneer DV333 at 1x. However these same DVD-Rs play fine with none of the above problems on my Norcent DP300.

Should I re-burn these DVD-Rs to a different media or not worry about my Pioneer DV333 problems. I ask as is this a sign this media will fail in the future ?

There is approx 2 gbs of free space on the burnt DVD-Rs as I've heard about problems with certain brands if you fill them to near capacity.

DVDInfo reports the following on these Memorex DVD-Rs :

Media Information
Region info N/A not a DVD-VIDEO
Media code/Mfr ID PRODISCG02
Formatted Size Blank
Total Size 7.82GB(8.40GB)
Book Type DVD-R
Media type V2.0 DVD-R
Media Id Code Speed 2.0x 2770KBs
Current Drive Speed 2.0x 2770KBs
Default Rotation Control CLV
Linear Density 0.267um/bit
No of Layers 1

What is the opinion of this media ?

Thanks

[kenmo]

Should I assume that this brand of Memorex does not play well in my Pioneer DV333 standalone ?

Is there a utility to check DVD media for errors...I have a similar program for CD-Rs...

[Bob W]

Well I have posted this about ten times now on this forum but I will do it one more time. I bought three five packs of Memorex DVD+R media from BestBuy and all fifteen of them were unusable in the last 400MB or outer edge of the discs. Just take a very close look at the media near the outer edge and I bet you will see the dye is discolored, or have tiny bubbles in the die or flat out voids in the dye. I was able to use the discs but only for burns of less than 3.9GB and I don't buy Memorex media any more.

[ROBERT BLACK]

I've recently backed up two films to Unbranded Memorex DVD-R media. Both had mulitple hicupss(one second freezes) toward the end of the films. I've played them on Malata and Vsonic DVD players, same results,in different spots, all toward the end. Both occupied about 4.35 Gigs of space. No macroblocking is visible, though. Both were backed up with Decrypter and Nero. I think quality control issues with the Memorex media is the problem. It's cheap,but I wouldn't recommend it. I've had better results with Princo.

[Excellerator]

Memorex seems to have two different types, the PRODISK as you mentioned and the TOYODON (or something like that). I have had better success with the later as the prodisk do not play (at ALL) on my Sharp DVD player. They will work on my Apex and on the PC DVD drives. For the time being I am not using the Memorex. I have also noticed this difference with Verbatim DVD-R's. Some are better than others.

[kenmo]

I did re-check my Memorex dvd-R and it is one of the few Memorex that I filled to near capacity...I reburned the files (Star Trek TV shows) to a Maxell and it played flawlessly on my Pioneer DV333.

In future I will not fill to capacity my Memorex media....

[kenmo]

I tried the same test with some Starmedia DVD-Rs (Princos) and I can fill these to near capacity without the problems of the Memorex...So can I assume Princos are a better media then Memorex....

The Memorex I purchased at Wal-Mart in Nova Scotia, Canada are made by Prodisc. They are a box of three. On the box is printed made in Taiwan. The sleeves on the jewel cases also says made in Taiwan.

When I was to Bangor, Maine I purchased a few 3 packs of Memorex at Wal-Mart in Bangor. On the box is printed made in Japan, I purchased these thinking they were not made by Prodisc but TAIYO YUDEN. HOWEVER the sleeves on the jewel cases says made in Taiwan and they have the Prodisc manufacturer ID stamp on the media...

How can Memorex get away with misleading (Bangor Memorexes) merchandise labelling like this ? Either your product is made in Japan or Taiwan and NOT both !

[ROBERT BLACK]

Mine were definitely made in Taiwan. Listed on package and sleeve. I've been getting some good feedback on Taiyo Yuden media. Unfortunately Unbranded Taiyo is more expensive than Memorex,and Ritek.

[kenmo]

I understand that any media made by Taiyo Yuden is excellent media (CD-R, DVD-R or DVD+R)...

However I was always under the impression it was wise to avoid Ritek CD-R media...yet their DVD media is highly regarded !

[LanEvo7]

Memorex seems to have all its discs made by some crappy company now. It cuts their overall costs down.