What burn speed?

[JustSomeGuy]

How can I tell what burn speed a piece of media is?

I have a Verbatim, DataListPlus, DVD-RW 4.7GB SP120 Min*
There is a disc drawn on the cover with a 1 (in red on it).

Other than that there doesn't appear to be a way to tell by looking at it what speed it can be written at.

I'm a bit of a newbie, but am I wrong in thinking its not the dvd writer / software that determins the speed but rather the media in the drive?

[tompika]

www.dvdinfopro.com

[JustSomeGuy]

Ok this is great software to have installed on my home computer...
but if i'm in a store and need to know the burn speed shouldn't it be written on the cover or is there a 'secret' code only gurus know?

[garryheather]

Manufacturers hold off putting speed ratings on DVD's because there are too many variables. I have an A04 for example - the maximum write speed on that is 2x, but if I had barely enough brain cells to rub together I could buy 4x or even 8x media now and return them telling everyone how crap they were because I only got 2x out of them.

It depends on your writer and firmware among other factors (like data throughput) as to whether or not you could attain the speed they think you should.

Some of the better online retailers are very honest about this issue - have a look at the DVD-R section of http://www.blankdiscshop.co.uk and you will see they state which recorders they have tried them on and what speeds they could record at. Shops are OK if you need something dead quick, but I have to be desperate to use high street stores for any of my media these days.

[JustSomeGuy]

Is there any reason to believe that a dvd player (set top box) would insist on 4x media and not read media that was burnt at 2x?