DVD burner no longer "likes" Fuji DVD-R's?

[jlatenight]

This is driving me crazy. It forced me to buy a new DVD player too, now it looks like I may not have needed to. Ok, I've been using Fuji DVD-r's from Best Buy for months and months with no problem at all. Then recently, probably within the past month or so, while watching these discs on my stand-alone DVD player on my TV, they started to skip and freeze....so annoying I can't tell you. Since these discs play fine in my computer, I assumed it was my stand-alone DVD player that was failing. People online said it's probably the spindle motor failing. So I went out and bought a new DVD player. I played the same discs in that and at first they seemed to play fine, so I thought that was the issue, but then I noticed the same thing happening; skipping and freezing. So...I did a couple things: I upgraded the firmware on my DVD burner (TDK Indi DVD 840G) and I tried a different brand DVD-r. The issue seems to be resolved. Not exactly sure which solved it, and I don't really care. Although I haven't tested one of the Fuji's with the new firmware yet, but I'll do that.

Has anyone else had the same issue: your DVD burner decides it no longer likes the brand of DVD-r you've been using fine for months? Is my burner on it's way out? Maybe the second half of this 100pc spindle I have is bad?? Very frustrating.

[jman98]

You sometimes have to upgrade firmware on burners to deal with changes in discs by various manufacturers. You were not wrong to do this.

However, there is a great difference in media quality. Take a look at
http://www.nomorecoasters.com
for a discussion. Around here we basically recommend Verbatim and Taiyo Yuden and nothing else. Did you see Fuji in that sentence? Nope, so that might give you a clue as to how "great" Fuji media is.

DVD burners don't last forever. The more you rip and use them, the sooner they will need to be replaced. DVD players don't last forever either. If you get 3 years or more out of a DVD player these days, you've done well.

[budz]

FUJI DVD-R media id is RITEK which is considered crappy media. Use VERBATIM or TAIYO YUDEN. A long time ago FUJI media id use to be TAIYO YUDEN but they have outsourced to RITEK for a long time now.

[jlatenight]

Thanks for the replys! Interestingly, I was in Best Buy over the weekend to buy different media to try and I notice they no longer carry Fuji DVD-r's. Coincidence? Doubtful.

I ended up buying a 25 pack of Sony's. Are they any good? I will certainly only buy Verbatim and Taiyo Yuden from now on. Thanks guys!!

[Toastie]

There are only so many factories which actually made blank dvds, they just label them as "Sony", Fuji", or whatever.

It doesn't matter what the brand is - as long as they are made in japan thats what you want. If made in Japan, chances are they will be TY made no matter how they are branded.

[jlatenight]

Thanks again. Is there any way to know if my burner is dying? Maybe the laser is getting weaker or something which is causing me these problems? Is there any way to test the general health of it?

[FulciLives]

FUJI has used Taiyo Yuden in the past but not for some time now.

If you want Taiyo Yuden you can buy them direct. I suggest RIMA.COM

I prefer the Taiyo Yuden 8x DVD-R discs myself. The price at RIMA.COM for these is only $26.99 + shipping. Not bad considering that is for a 100 pack.

My next favorite are the Verbatim 16x DVD-R discs. These can often be bought on sale for around $15 per 50 pack although the usual BEST BUY price (non-sale price) is more like $30 for a 50 pack. So when they aren't on sale I buy the Taiyo Yuden discs.

Either way you can't go wrong.

- John "FulciLives" Coleman