Write Speed

[mis3]

When I burn a new CD or DVD, there is a little window for me to choose the speed.

If I choose a lower speed, does this give me better write quality?

[ZippyP.]

Assuming you are using good quality disks, no.

With cheaper disks, possibly.

[bevills1]

IMO it depends on whether burn speed is equal to or faster than media rated speed. For example, my NEC 3520A burns Ritek G04 (4X -R media) at 12X with latest official NEC firmware with no problems. However, I've read other posts in which users had problems burning faster than media speed rating, and burning slower speed to match media speed rating solved the problem which is what I plan to do only if problems arise.

[garryheather]

Your choice of writer and firmware can really make a difference. Some writers (for example, the later Pioneer 110's) use a "floating" power calibration system that will adjust the write strategy - including speed - depending on the media as it goes. This has the benefit in that media isn't always consistent across one disc (let alone a whole batch), and the value the writer determined as being optimal in laser power with respect to the write strategy derived from the disc's lead in might not be the best half way through or near the end.

You might also want to consider (or avoid !) "hacked" firmware that allows you to burn any disc at full whack. Personally I think the manufacturers know more about writing discs than the majority of people who knock out any speed firmware do, but if you're going to try and write more than one or two notches up the scale from what a disc has been certified as, you're going to have to expect the odd coaster.

There are exceptions of course, Verbatim's dual layer +R media is rated at 2.4x but burns on my Pioneer with official firmware at 6x, and you sometimes come across media that's branded at say 8x because the factory who made it are honest and don't think it will be reliable at say 16x.

I use the general rule of thumb that 6x media is probably OK at 8x, it may work at 12x but will be pushing it at 16x and so on. I certainly wouldn't expect to be able to consistently write at twice the rated speed of the disc but smaller increments may be OK if the media is good and the firmware / writer generally knows what it's doing.

Where-as the difference between say 1x and 2x was quite a jump in those days (remember that media, guys ?), going between say 8x and 16x isn't such an issue with todays media in geneal but it does mean any imperfections are more likely to cause a problem. If you've got media your recorder likes then let 'em rip... just verify them afterwards.

[bevills1]

That's an interesting point concerning hacked firmware on which NIL, one of the creators of hacked firmware, agrees in more than one of his posts where he states some problems should be expected when burning faster than media's rated speed. However, I've used 2 versions of NIL's firmware for Pioneer DVR107-D (1.05 followed by current 1.16), and both have worked with no problems for me. If I do encounter problems, I'll simply select a slower burn speed. Also DVRFlash is a safety net since it allows flashing official to hacked, hacked to official, official to official and hacked to hacked firmware versions. I like to burn as fast as I can unless and until problems arise, and then adjust burn speed if needed. Doing otherwise is like driving a car with a governor on it to limit speed for what may be no good reason IMO.

[whitejremiah]

there is definately some controversy as far as this, i'm still of the opionion that you shouldnt burn above the rated speed. ever. that being said, i will say this, some dvd players choke with dvd's that are burned at rather high speeds (even if the media is rated at a rather high speed!!) this is true particularly with older dvd players...same thing goes with cdr and some older cd players, and in a lot of cases, mp3 comptable cd players as well....i personally have an mp3 compatable pioneer deck in my vehicle and it will PLAY a 48x speed rated cdr chalked full of mp3's however, if the disc gets the SLIGHTEST scratch (i'm talking the type from normal wear and tear, not the type that is whoops, the disc accidently ended up on the ground where the cat litter spilled) it will skip...i have noticed with slower burning speeds though, this doesnt happen anywhere NEAR as frequently...if your using the discs on relatively recent equipment though, and not chalking it full of mp3's...you should be alright either way.....