Accu White Top disks and Sony DRU-500 burner

[VinnySem]

I recently ordered one of those sampler packs from CDRDVDRMedia.com, it came with 2 Accu DVD-Rs, unfortunately they were of the silver top variety. I was unable to burn at 2x with my Sony DRU-500UL, I have the newest 2.0g firmware. My burn job failed after a few minutes, flip that coaster with a fork.

My question to those that are ordering these white top Accu disks, are you calling on the phone to order them? Because they only have silver top listed on the web page. And secondly, are you able to burn @ 2x with firmware higher than 1.0f on the Sony DRU-500? How is set-top player compatibility? I got some ESBuy brand 2x pink (blech) disks when I bought my first Pioneer A04, and those wouldn't play in anything but my Philips player.

I'm trying to find quality media that will burn at 2x for around a buck a disk, I'd prefer white top media. Otherwise I'm going to start getting the Samsung BeAll disks in the jewel case, 2 of those also came in the sampler, and they look and feel like very high quality disks, and burn at 2x in my Sony.

[dvdnew]

I guess sometime they will send you some that the Sony doesn't like. Most of the ACCU are just bulk dvds, so when you order you can get from one manufacturer or other, some will burn at 2x some will not. This is AFAIK, that's why people order Ritek, they will always get the same brand and burn at 2x or 4x depending of drive/firmware/other.

[VinnySem]

I think I'm just going to stick with the Samsung BeAll disks, I like their quality, they burn at 2x in my Sony, have a white top and are priced less than $2. I have tested their compatibility and they play flawlessly in every set top player I've tried them in. They don't feel flimsy, either, some of the no name disks I've used in the past seem cheap and thin, these are thicker and more rigid than most that came in the demo sampler I got.

[gminnick]

Does white top media burn more reliabley than silver top? I am looking at getting the Samsung DVD-R but can't decide on the white top or silver. I will be attempting to label. Will the white top be better for labels? I have read on here that some people speculate labels causing a problem from the laser hitting it as it goes through the media. Not sure about that, but I am just now getting into burning.

[VinnySem]

OK, first of all, the laser does not pass completely through the media. The laser does not hit the label. There is a layer of reflective material.

I can't say for sure there is a quality difference between white top/silver top versions of the same disk from the same manufacturer. I've never worked at a media production plant, so I cannot say with authority that better quality materials or better processes are used with white top disks. For me it's an asthetic reason for favoring white top, I write the title with a Sharpie and it is easier to read.

Before you think about labelling, read through the forums, many people, including myself, have had nothing but problems labelling DVDs. Then again, some have had great success. You won't know for yourself till you try.

[gminnick]

Thanks for the reply. So far I have labeled a Maxell and Verbatim and both are playing. This is not an extensive test, but I am going to let them play over and over for half a day or so and see what happens.

[SLICK RICK]

I always use Verbatim DVD-R and never have a problem with playback some of them I label some I dont, it really doesnt matter it will still playback. I purchase a 15 pack from BestBuy for about $40.00 which is cheaper than any online dealer that Ive seen.