Are faster-rated media such as 16x a problem for recorders?

[Alzarius]

I think the inevitable situation is that slower-rated media such as 2x, 4x are phased out as the faster ones like 16x become more common. I see mostly 8x media at the local BestBuy. However, those faster media are made to keep up with the computer-based DVD burners, because no DVD-Recorder exists that burns up to 16x (I think, and I'm not even sure of 8x recorders). Since some people have reported that the faster media burn best at thoise rated speeds (16x would not burn well at 1x or 2x, for example), would that be a problem for the DVD-Recorders? I'm using 4x media for my Panasonic E-85 and E-80 (though the E-80 burns at 1x) and I'm starting to run out of media. What do others think? I guess it's OK as long as we can find the slower media on the market, but I think in 6months time, all we'll see are 8x and 16x and higher. Time to load up the 4x stocks?

[kenmasters83]

as long as the disc states something like..

2.4x.4x.8x.16x..


you are good to go but if you bought a 16x speed pack of random dvd's rated.

8x and 16x only i would stay away from them for dvd recorders but then again i am a person who thinks burning anything past 4x is to risky

[markhamPete]

The Pioneer 520-H recorder happily burns at 8X. I think most recorders will burn at it's highest speed possible based on the write strategy of the media. Although I haven't purchased any 16X, I'm sure the Pioneer would still be able to burn it at 8X without problem.

[Epicurus8a]

The Pioneer 520-H recorder happily burns at 8X.

When you're copying off the hard drive, that is. If you're recoding straight to DVD, the burn speed is 1x.

[HatchetMan]

The 16X Verbatim's are only compatible down to like 4X, but the 8X Verbatim's are compatible all the way down to 1X, says so right on the package and is available at just about every single Best Buy. They are the best solution for stand alone recorders that I have come across. They were even on sale 2 weeks ago for $19.99/50pk. This week it's the 16X's on sale, but only use those on a computer writer.

[markhamPete]

The Pioneer 520-H recorder happily burns at 8X.

When you're copying off the hard drive, that is. If you're recoding straight to DVD, the burn speed is 1x.

Yes, I believe that goes without saying. I have used 8X media on my old Panasonic E30 also, although I mainly use 4X media for the E30's 1X burn.

[lordsmurf]

I hear of LOTS of issues with 8x and 16x media on DVD recorders. While it "should" work, in many cases it has not. Some of this could have been mitigated by cheap media, but in many cases, the reports varying across even many of the very best discs. I tried working with people several times on this.

Try to use 4x media, then test small amounts of new ones, never buy huge bulks without testing.

One machine in particular, the Panasonic E85, has had several reports of this error. In each of those cases, switching to 4x was all the owner had to do.

[cyflyer]

Just one thing I want to clarify, as far as computer based burners are concerned. With the proliferation of 8x media, and more, this refers to the MAX burn speed does it not ? If someone is happy plodding along at 4x, and doesn't make any changes to firmware etc, these higher speed rated medias will still burn as normal at 4x speeds, as their 4x predecesors did ?
No change as far as the burn properties at 4x ?

And anyways, what actual (dye chemistry ?) changes do they make to media when they upgrade the speed rating ?