8x vs 16x? What's the difference in the media?

[PhoneMatt]

I am using older equipment, a Panasonic DMR E20 standalone and a Memorex Burner (About 2 years old). I normally use 8x DVD-R's and have had no problems. Staples had Sony MIJ's on sale this week, and I bought a spindle, not realizing that they were marked "1-16x". Neither unit will burn on these disks. (The firmware was updated on the Memorex, but there is no upgrade for the Panny.) My question is- What is the difference between an 8x disk and a 16x disk? Are they physically different? Different dye application?
The Panny just won't recognize the disks at all. The Memorex, using Shrink and Nero, will not start the burn. I get an error message saying that the disk in incorrect (or somethign like that. I don't remember the exact wording.)

Matt

[ROF]

It sounds like your firmware doesn't support the write strategies of these newer discs. If there is no firmware upgrade you have two options. Use older discs or buy new equipment.

[PhoneMatt]

Thanks, ROF. Looks like I will be making online purchases, since most of the stores in the area seem to be phasing out 8x disks. But, what I was wondering was, what makes these disks so different from other disk upgrades in the past? I originally started out with 2x, then went to 4x, now 8x, and both of these unit had no problem with any changes. Was there that big a change in the disk structure from 8x to 16x, that it would stop these disks from recording on an older unit?

[ROF]

Each disc has it's own write strategy. While there is something called a generic write strategy it appears your equipment does not work with these newer discs. You may find some 16x discs that work, but I wouldn't invest heavily in them until you find out they work.

[Bjs]

It's those dic's , there faulty , take them back .

I recently purchased a 50 spindle of tdk (outsourced to another company) , nero complained about no first sector .

This message was displayed using sony , lg , pioneer , and liteon unit's (I own 5 , 2 x lg's , one is usb2 for laptop)

Having tried 3 disc's , I tried datastream , verbatim , noname brand , all of these were succesfull and completed .

The tdk's were returned for full refund without question ... filled in return form was all that was required , explaining the problem with the disc's .

[handyguy]

My Pannys use any speed disk. But its not necessary to use fast disk s on them & that can save $$....

btw, the faster you write the more wobble there is.

[SingSing]

Ar.. Sony labeled product again. Sound familiar. The last Sony media I bought was returned, did not want to waste time on it.

[oldfart13]

Bought at Wal-Mart Canada Sony +Rs are actually Taiyo Yudens and burn flawlessly at 8X and work in all speeds in my Liteon 5001. The write strategy says they will burn at 12X in my LG4163 but my PIII transfer rate is too slow for that speed. Also, the -R discs are sometime "Made In Japan" as well. I noticed that about 1 of 4 spools are marked MIJ but I haven't bought one to check the MID. Soon...

[PhoneMatt]

Wow, thanks for all the feedback. I took the spindle back to Staples. The guy there, said to try another spindle, before I gave up on them. So far, I seem to be the only person returning these. I took another spindle to try. I'll record something and see if the new ones work. I hope they do- the discs were the 14.94 sale at Staples. Less 3.00 for an empty print cartridge, and that a good price. (Yeah, I know- It's only good if it works.) I'll let you know what happens. Again, thanks everyone. I really appreciate it.

[PhoneMatt]

Well, tried the second spindle on the Panny. Looks like they worked. Must have gotten a bad batch (or just a bad disk). Now if it will work on the Memorex, I'll be a happy camper.