Brand of Media

[Guncle]

I am curious about which brand or rewritables most people are using.

I know this type of question can cause quite a stir, but I am struggling with my media selection.

I have spent the better part of the evenieng doing DVD info scans on various media and don't know where to go. I have had a couple of recording with bad sectors that stall, so I am hoping it is just a media issue.

I have had the best luck with Verbatum +RW. No skipping. Had a bad disk with Sony -RW, as well as Smartbuy +RW. I don't mind paying extra to get the best.

What is generally considered to be the best +RW and the best -RW.

Any tips on preparing a disk? Is it a good idea to do a full format on the computer?

[lordsmurf]

Fuji DVD-RW (MKM, MCC)
Verbatim DVD-RW (MCC)
TDK DVD-RW (TDK)
Sony DVD-RW (SONY)
Memorex DVD+RW (INFODISC)
Verbatim DVD+RW (MCC)

Only the best in use here.

[steve2713]

I've had no problems with RICOHJPN or INFODISC +RW discs from Memorex. The RICOHJPN has lower PI/PO errors (recoverable errors to test a disc's quality) but they both burn well.

[Guncle]

How usual or unusual is it for a rewritable to have bad blocks.

I recorded a show tonight at at the 44:15 block it just froze. I tried it on the orginal recorder and it stoped there as well. Did a scan and it had two bad blocks - using Nero cd drive speed. It was only the second time I had used the disk.

Same thing happened a couple of days ago. I am trying different media.

Which media has the best PI / PO scores?


Just noticed, the Sony -RW i Purchased have a media code of RITEKW01. I bought these at Walmart.

[lordsmurf]

RITEK media is the pits. Barf.

Phase change media dies fast, used or not. Sometimes in as fast as six months. The crystals are not always stable. Look at the bottom of them for "bubbles" or other deformities.

[ebenton]

Unfortunately, media quality is one of those things you have to watch. If you find a good brand and buy 500 of them, then you won't have to worry about it until the 500 disks start to run out. I guess RWs will last longer, too.
In any case, many, if not all, brands of disk tend to switch manufacturers when their contract with one expires, or for other reasons. For instance, Memorex DVD -Rs used to be good, but then they switched to CMC (stands for Crappy Media Company).
Whatever you buy today that's good might not be a good brand 6 months or a year from now.

[INFRATOM]

I have some older Memorex = Richojpn, Sony = Richojpn and Fuji = Richojpn all are +RW's and good no problem. New Memorex are different it doesn't look like Japan made. I bought too many +RW's mostly 4X's. I have never seen any 6X's, has anyone seen any?

[Guncle]

Thanks for all the replies. I think I will try and get some disk with the MCC media ID.

[cahusker]

Fuji DVD-RW (MKM, MCC)
Verbatim DVD-RW (MCC)
TDK DVD-RW (TDK)
Sony DVD-RW (SONY)
Memorex DVD+RW (INFODISC)
Verbatim DVD+RW (MCC)

Only the best in use here.

Are the Memorex and Verbatim +RW that are made in Taiwan Good? This is for my Liteon 5001 which loves Fuji & TDK +R but has had problems with Sony +RW. The only +RW's that have worked flawlessly are the one that came with my Cyberhome And I do not know what they are.

[ROF]

Depends on the drive. I had a sony drive that didn't like memorex discs no matter where they were made. I've since gotten rid of this drive and my NEC and Accesstek both love this media. I've actually not found any media these two drives don't like. I only use name branded discs and never have ordered them over the net. I wait for a discount at my local retailers.

[lordsmurf]

I guess RWs will last longer, too..

No. Far, far, far less. Always inspect the discs for errors in the phase change materials. If you see odd things, toss it. It's dead.