HELP PLEASE! What's best DVDR's for the TDK 440N +/- Burner?

[dgemhsu]

Hi All,

I just got a new TDK 440N Dual Format DVD Burner and was wondering if anyone could tell me what the best DVD-R's are for this burner (I ask for DVD-R's because they are typically cheaper than DVD+R's, someone educate me if I am wrong). I had actually split a spindle of Samsung BeAlls' with a buddy before I got my burner and unfortunately, they don't seem to be compatible with my burner, so I am stuck with 19 BeAll's and no other media. I am scared to get some other media cuz I am not sure what will work on my TDK or not and don't want to be stuck with others. So if anyone knows of good and cheap media that will for sure work on my TDK I would really really really appreciate it!!! I was so stoked to finally get a burner, only to find that my BeAll's didn't work on it!!! DOH!!! Please Help!!! Thank you all in advance!!!

[Faustus]

dgemhsu: Don't really know much about your burner, but my suggestion is to find a place that offers a sample pack and decide what works best for ya. Personally I have alot of luck with Ritek G03s but I use a DVR-105

[orbital517]

I have the TDK 440 also and I've used Ritek G04 -R, Ritek 2.4X +RW, Verbatim 4X +R, Fuji 2X -R, and TDK 4X +R and -R..............They all work great. I just ordered a 100 pack of Optodisc (gold top) -R disks and i'll get back to you on how good they are.

[dgemhsu]

Thanks a lot guys!

orbital517: if you could let me know how those Optodiscs work out for you, I would really appreciate it!

This is great! Now I have at least a few brands/types that I know will work on my burner and won't have to burn money anymore! :P

[orbital517]

Thanks a lot guys!

orbital517: if you could let me know how those Optodiscs work out for you, I would really appreciate it!

This is great! Now I have at least a few brands/types that I know will work on my burner and won't have to burn money anymore! :P

Will do. I hope the Optodiscs will work good on my standalone player. I've noticed that many online stores are selling the DVD+R disks cheaper and the prices are getting closer to the DVD-R disks.

[dgemhsu]

This is an excerpt from an email I got from the TDK Tech Support people:

1. When my software(s) asks me to select a drive, the model reads 404N
instead of 440N. Why is that?

2. I have tried to use a brand of media: Samsung BeAll, that is supposed to
be very compatible with most drives, but it doesn't work, which leads to my
next couple of questions:

2a. Are there any other brands of media that will for sure work on this
burner other than TDK?

2b. When will you release a firmware upgrade for this drive, all I can find
is one for the 420 model. And will the new firmware allow me to burn onto
more brands of media, specifically my BeAll's so that I don't burn money
that I have spent on the discs?

Can you please let me know if and when the firmware upgrade is to be
released for my model?

Thank you very much.



Reply;

1. Unfortunately, there is a string error written to the eprom inside the
burner. This does not in any way affect the performance of the burner.

2. Not all brands of media are compatible with this burner. The recommended
brands would be TDK, Ricoh, MCC, Taiyo Yuden, MTI, Maxell, and CMC.

2A. New firmware will be released only when our engineers feel that there
is a need for it. New firmware sometimes will include compatibility for
more brands of media, or to add new features. We have no idea when new
firmware will be released.

[-jsl-]

Since the TDK 440N is a rebadged NEC ND-1300A the recommended media for the NEC drive should work with the TDK too. I've noticed that BeAll DVD+R media is in the list while the BeAll DVD-R is not.

[dgemhsu]

Since the TDK 440N is a rebadged NEC ND-1300A

How does one know that the 440N is a rebadged NEC?

[-jsl-]

TDK does not manufacture or develop any drives. The ND-1300A and the 440N have identical specifications and the 420N was a rebadged ND-1100A. If you check the label on your drive you will probably see a reference to the FCC ID of the ND-1300.

[vivisimonvi]

I'm curious if anyone's gotten a hold of those armor plated TDK DVD-R's. Supposedly 100 times more durable than any standard DVD disc. These things can stand against scratches from steel wool!!! Couldn't imagine anyone purposedly doing this...

http://www.medialinenews.com/issues/2003/april/recordables_01.shtml

[mp3superfreak]

I'm curious if anyone's gotten a hold of those armor plated TDK DVD-R's. Supposedly 100 times more durable than any standard DVD disc. These things can stand against scratches from steel wool!!! Couldn't imagine anyone purposedly doing this...

http://www.medialinenews.com/issues/2003/april/recordables_01.shtml

I just ordered a 10pk from Rima.com for my priceless old home movies. I'll post my thoughts about the $4.20 per disk DVD-R's after a receive and test them. Rima dropped the price from $45/10 disks to $42/10 just a day ago. I have not found them in stock anywhere else online.

[zergling]

Hey mp3superfreak - I don't know if you still check these forums, but what did you ever think about those "armor plated TDK DVD-R's"? Anyone else tried them?

[elmotheteapot]

i have an nec nd1300 and have had good sucess with HP dvd+rw (ricoh) and ritek go3 (branded datasafe dvd-r)

[qpskfec]

I have the Iomega burner, which is also a rebadged NEC.

+R and -R are about the same price when on sale in local stores. I have used:

TDK 4X +R
Memorex +RW
Compusa -R, Princos, labeled as 1X but burn at 2X (bought a 10 pack for $8 to try out, 9 for 9 ok so far)

Any media with a RICOHJPN id has been fine.