4X Media OK to use in 1X burner?

[KWG22]

I REALLY want to use the new Verbatim 4X DVD-R's that have the look of movie reels for my 8mm films>DVD project; But looking at the package in the store, there is a warning re: using them in older burners that are not 4x, citing possible hardware damage. There was a website given, but it had little info. Should there be a problem using 4X media in a 1X burner-specifically a Panasonic LF-D311 DVD-RAM/-R drive?
Thanks for any guidance!

Kevin

[808smokey]

I don't see how that could possibly damage the disk or burner. If it were reversed: Write 4X disk only 1X then yeah that would make sense to post a warning. Since the disk could possibly break into pieces at higher RPM's. I wouldn't worry about it since in most Burn programs you can select 1X, 2X or 4X anyhow. I have some Maxell DVD+R from walmart and there's on warning on those too. There 4X and Burn them at 2.4X and it hasn't broken anything. Try it at 1X to be safe if you want although I'd set to burn at MAX speed

[Jerry]

Hi,

I've heard it can really cause a problem for the burner. You might want to do a search on the board to make sure.

Jerry

[AarontheRipper]

Older burners can burn the newer discs, but generally they need a firmware update to do so. I've seen a lot of this on DVD media websites. For example, you can't burn 4x media with a pioneer 103 or 104 unless you have a newer firmware.

[garryheather]

I think the Panasonic's are OK, but most Pioneer's of a certain age DID require an update before using 4x media, or you ran the risk of burning out the optics. A nasty little problem but easily resolved.

[proxyx99]

This is because previously the info on how to burn/handle media was in the players bios. Now every 4x disc has a "burn strategy" sector on the disk that tells burner what are the discs capabilities. Without the upgrade your writer may not read/detect the disc correctly.

Warning: test your drive on the media be4 the Firmware upgrade. Too many Pioneed drives have been crippled by the upgrade (including mine). Think be4 you do that. Make sure that you get all the info first or call Pioneer tech support. Reversing the process from newest FW (downgrade) is a pain and may damage your drive permanently if unsuccesful. If your drive is under warranty do it only after calling tech support to arrange for an exchange if it goes south.

[georgehegyi]

I have a rather new (bought last year) standalone Panasonic DVD Recorder with TIVO like features (with HD). The burner only burns at 1x. Is it safe to put this 4x Verbatims and burn at 1x? It is a rather expensive machine and I don't want to damage the burner.
Thanks
George

[disturbed1]

LF-D311's burn to most 4x media.

I've tried (with poor results) RitekG04, BeAll, Longten, Lead Data (Accu, PioData, DupEz). Some play, some won't. Optodisc 4x error out at the exact point every disc (~1/3).

Have had good results with Taiyo Yuden, Prodisc, and TDK (TTG01, TTG02) 4x media.

Your Verbatim 4x are made by Taiyo Yuden, or MCC, haven't seen CMC yet.

The problem with the Pioneer A03/A04, was that during the lead in (power calibration), the laser could not obtain enough power to correctly achieve the OPC, resulting in the laser to continue to increase power until it burnt out. 3 firmwares were released to fix this. The first one allowed only 1x burn on all 4x media, 2nd added 2x burn capability, but had 2x RW media problems. The 3rd (final) release fixed all problems <- their words


LF-D311s newest firmware is A128. No noticable difference from A127 to me.

[Mechworker]

I've only been burning for a few weeks, on my Panny E50, but I've used nothing BUT the Maxell "Made in Japan" 4X disks that come in 5 packs (except for a few Memorexes that were 4x and crapped out).

I followed the instructions, checked the www.dvdhs.com website like the warning suggested, and even called Panny's Tech Support. There was no mention of them not working.

I've burned 25 of the disks, at LP and FR, and no problems. They seem to be working fine.

[handyguy]

Yes, but didn't Pioneer put out a message that you shouldn't use 4x in 1x Pioneers cause they might catch flambe.

[proxyx99]

Generally do not use new media with an old drive (stick with 1x-2x media). With the new ones the drive may overheat and cause premature laser pickup burnout.

[kenmo]

My LG4040B has not been able to burn any 4xDVD+R media yet... Including Maxell, Memorex, Pine... It will only burn at 2.4x.

However it does burn DVD-R 4x media successfully (Sony, Maxell, Memorex).

I have the latest firmware from LG's website.