What does "Power Calibration Error" mean?

[Canes305]

I have just wasted 2 blank DVD-Rs on the same issue. Attempted to back up a DVD, went through the normal process of using DVD Shrink 3.0 and then tried to burn in Nero 6.

Started to write and 60 seconds later I had a "Power Calibration Error" and wasted a disk. Restarted my PC, tried again and same thing. Another disk wasted. Anyone experience this before or know what this means?

Thanks in advance...

[bigshotceo]

That happens to me when my drive is overheated (ie I've left my computer on too long). Turn off your computer for a little while and try it again.

[Richard_G]

You also get this error if you have bad media or you are trying to use 4x disks in a recorder that can only write at 2x.

If your writer is only 2x, a firmware update will usually allow you to write at 2x on 4x compatible disks.

[Will Hay]

Seconded.
I only referred the error you refer to with dodgy media.
Will

[Canes305]

The media I amusing has proved to be decent. Maxell DVD-R. Have burned about 10 disks as 2x and had no problems until last night.

What blank media do y'all use? I am still experimenting and looking for the best out there.

[rcb]

See garryheather's response in this thread:

https://www.videohelp.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=203108&highlight=

[grossjamesh]

From the Pioneer web site FAQs:

What is Power Calibration error.


A power calibration error is caused by the inability of a DVD-RW drive to use a DVD-R or DVD-RW disk.


DVD-R and DVD-RW disks themselves have information written on them, within this Media ID code there is information that the drive uses to calibrate itself to the disk, when a drive first starts to write to a disk it will burn a small amount of data to a calibration area on the disc, using the calibration information in the Media ID code, and then try to read back the data that it has written. If it cannot be read, then disk will be ejected and fail with a power calibration error.

A power calibration error is normally caused by problems with the media. Should you be experiencing problems with your drive or the media, we recommend that a disk from a good quality manufacturer be used to test it.

For fault finding purposes we recommend the use of a disk of a known high quality, we recommend disks from:


Pioneer Video Corporation
TDK Corporation
Hitachi Maxell
Mitsubishi Chemical Corporation (Verbatim)
Taiyo-Yuden Co. LTD
Matsushita Electric
Industrial Co.,LTD (Panasonic)
Sony Corporation

[Canes305]

Much obliged all. Great advice....