I bought a Pioneer 104 in april '02 which is currently at Firmware 1.33. Around that time I also bought 10 Princo DVD-R (Gen). I burned all of theses Princos with different software (Studio 8, DVD XCopy, DVDit, etc.), with the result that the video was fine, but about 1/2 to 2/3 through the DVD, the video deteriorated until it didn't play anymore.

I ordered a 25-pack of Ritek media (Gold/Silver top, Purple under), and the Pioneer won't even recognize the Ritek as blank media. Around the spindle, on the pruple surface, there is the following print: "DR-47AS04-00044".

Finally got some Verbatim Datalife plus, and burned fine throughout the DVD. I have gone back to Firmware 1.31 with the same results.

Any ideas what the situation may be, given that everyone else seems to have no trouble using the Ritek and/or Princo media?

Can the Drive prehaps be misaligned? Would appreciate any suggestions. Thanks.