What am I doing wrong?

[nord117]

Hi all! I hope that this forum can help me with this issue that has just recently developed with my recent DVDR's.

I have:
Sony DRU510A firmware 1.1a (8x compatible loaded on 6/5)
DVD Shrink 3.1.7.6
Nero 5.5.10.56

When I first started using my burner, I had firmware version 1.0f (4x compatible) and was burning Maxell +R's (Man ID-RICOHJPN) and Maxell -R's (Man ID MXL-RG02) had minimal to no problems, and DVD playback was great!

I bought some Memorex +R's (Man ID - CMC MAC) and updated the firmware, and now I have issues.

Almost every DVD now plays back fine for about 30-40 minutes, and then begins to freeze/skip until it eventually stops altogether. If I turn off the player for over 30 minutes and start where I left off, the DVD will play for a while, and the skipping/freezing starts again.

Is this a media issue? A firmware issue? of a combo of both? Should I version down the firmware, or try new media?

Thanks!

[MackemX]

It sounds as if your player is struggling to read the data and eventually overheating and starting to skip. Turning it off for a while and it playing a little more then skipping again just warms it starts again. Chances are the player does not like the dye in the media even if it's a perfect burn as some types of disc just don't work in some standalone players. DVD-ROM have a greater success at reading the data and that's why most times it plays back OK on the PC yet not in a standalone. People like to blame the media and they are probably right but I also blame the standalone 'sucking' when reading media

you could say 'give crap to crap and you get crap' but I'm not saying your standalone is crap, just it's ability to read poor burns

before you go changing the firmware I would try a couple things

does playback work in the PC? If it doesn't then I would try another media, preferably a DVD-RW

can you try the DVD in another standalone? If it does work then your standalone 'sucks' at playing poor media/burns

is the dye dark or light? Dark (Ritek stuff) normally gives better playback in most standalones. Try using one of the makes that worked before

have you used the same version of Nero since burning or at least since they were working? If not then try RecordNowMax or CopyToDVD as an alternate burning software as some feel they get better results

as you mention, you could also changed the firmware back but that depends on how easy and comfortable you are doing it as I don't know

do a search on skipping in this forum will bring you some interesting reads as to various reasons why skipping happens as there are quite a few things it could be

p.s. I wonder how long it will be before you will get the simple 'crappy media' replies but with pathetic attitude. This will mean the thread will also get overheated and probably start skipping on and off topic

[Gurm]

Well, CMC media can really be a crapshoot. RICOH media is good stuff. That right there can be an issue.

HOWEVER, overheating can also be an issue. I'd try it with the case off and see what happens.

- Gurm

[MackemX]

Gurm, do you know exactly what overheats or have any more info on this?. If I still had the player I would try an experiment and crack off the case but also stick a fan on it just to see how long it would be before any issues started

I had a player that got real warm when it struggled with poor media/burns (mostly lighter dye DVD's) and sounded like an aeroplane engine when it was spinning

Of course these iffy DVD's played flawlessly in some other players I tried but some did struggle a little so it was probably a combo of the crappy quality media and the players reading capabilities

I just like how people will state 'it's the media' full stop and forget about the player. I would lay partial blame on the player also if it worked in my PC. Although then again, the standalone may play all original's OK doing the job most originally bought them for. If I was to buy a newer standalone now then I would expect it to have playback like my DVD-ROM (why shouldn't it these days?) which reads any crappy DVD I throw at it as long as the structure is valid

[Gurm]

Bleh. Well he didn't say what he's using for a player, but a friend and I have been ripping apart more than a few "dead" DVD players lately and discovering some interesting things.

Spindle motors let go - they overheat and end up not spinning fast enough (or too fast).

Lens/laser assemblies go, too.

It could be anything.

But it is MOST LIKELY the media, CMC is just not very good stuff.

- Gurm

[nord117]

Thanks for the suggestions guys...

Under "computer details" I have my standalones listed. A sony and a magnavox (phillips).

I'm beginning to believe that it IS the Memorex (CMC) DVD's though, as these are the ones that I am having the problems with. The only issues I had with the Maxell's was due to user error (yep, myself), and resulted in some nice unreadable table coasters.

Going to pick up some TDK's this week and try those (of course, I won't know the manufacturer ID until I crack the case).

So are we in agreement that it isn't the firmware?

[Gurm]

Eep! Memorex CMC's are TEH SUKC. Luckily, you can get Memorex to replace them. Yes, that's right. Go to their online form and complain, saying that CMC dye is inferior and all your burns are failing... and wait for the free discs to come in the mail (using much better dye). Save the old spindle, though - they may ask for it back.

- Gurm

[nord117]

Thanks for the info Gurm! I submitted the request, and I will update on the result.

To ask the same question as MackemX did though... Exactly what is it that causes the unit to overheat? I did have a portable (search on my posts for details) that overheated on ALL burned disks. My other standalones don't seem to have issues ('cept with the CMC disks).

Thanks again!

[Gurm]

Basically the unit has trouble reading the disc... and tries to 'compensate'.

Different units 'compensate' differently.

Some 'compensate' in ways that they never would for a pressed disc, and which are outside of their normal operating parameters, and hence overheat.

Whether it's spinning the spindle motor too fast, or ramping up the intensity on the laser... it happens.

- Gurm

[nord117]

Got a reply from Memorex... replacements are on the way! Thanks again for the tip!

Also bought the TDK's from BB, they are RICOHJPN. Burned one as a test (replacement for one of the CMC's) and my standalones had no problem...

[jamerican]

I just bought 2 spindles of 100 each Memorex DVD+R Inkjet Printable from Amazon.com. DVD Info Pro says they are CMC discs, not Ricoh which I used to get. I immediately returned the unopened spindle to Amazon and have e-mailed Memorex about the opened one. They really are crappy discs. Hope they exchange them.

[DVDDave]

MEMOREX does not give a shit. they know they sell RICHOJPNR and CMC and they don't care. they replaced my spindle three times with CMC after they said they would get me a grey bottomed spindle which is RICHO.

[nord117]

:/ ...funny... My Memorex CMC spindle is grey...

[nord117]

Gurm - Just read in the forum that labels could be the problem of my freezing/overheating problems. (Sticky labels can screwup the playback of your DVDR's ) I use Avery 5931's. What are your thoughts? Are hub labels a good answer? (I'd rather label than sharpie...)

[Gurm]

All labels are generally considered bad around here, although I know people that label every DVD they make and they all work flawlessly.

*shrug*

I wouldn't think so. Try a few without labels and see.

- Gurm