Is This Normal? Read speeds differ on DVD-R's

[Vizcaya]

I have been backing up my Mpeg2 files on DVD's and lately I have noticed that the read speeds seem to differ with different media.

For example:
I backed up a 2.3gig Mpeg2 file on a Verbatim Datalife plus DVD, and when I try to transfer the file back to the harddrive, it takes about 15 minutes, and the light on the DVD-ROM is flashing on and off.

I backed-up the same file using a Apple DVD-R(Same media code as the verbatim :MCC ). And the read speed is twice as fast. About 7 minutes , and the light on the DVD-rom is solid.

I recorded both at 1X.

Should I worry about the Verbatims not reading as fast as the Apple media? I have used 10 Verbatims for backing my data. I have had no problems reading my authored DVD's on a set-top player. I just don't know if the reading problem is due to a weak burn, or just a weak reflection of the disk. Or maybe I shouldn't worry.

Thanks for any feedback
Viz

[DVDJunkee]

Yes it is perfectly normal. Lower quality DVDs tend to have either slower read times, because the burn is less than perfect the drive has to work harder, or erratic read times based on the same reason.

[Vizcaya]

I am confused about the Media codes for my Apple Media, and Verbatim.

I used DVDInfo to read the Media Code and they both read
"MCC 00..RG2"

So if they are essentially the same DVD-R shouldn't they have the same read speeds?

Now get this, I just burned my new Apple DVD-R media
(media Code MXL RG..01)
And the read speeds are exactly like my verbatims, 15 minutes to transfer a 2.3gig file.

Does anyone know what Media I need to buy , to achieve maximum read speeds? I do not like to have my media slowing me down.

Viz

[w00tski]

best way to analyse the data transfer is with nero dvdspeed, and do the transfer test (F2) and it will show you over the whole disc what speeds it rips the disc at. My guess is your burner made a perfect burn on the apple media and the other 2 it didnt. That being said, i have burnt 1 disc at 4x on Verbatim DAtalifePlus +R 4x and it worked fine, has the MCC media code. Its what i refer to as a 'perfect burn' in that it wrote it fine and reads back fine with reference to that curve not having any bumps in it.

[Vizcaya]

I am using primoDVD to burn, should I use nero? I am getting mixed results evertime I burn. I was able to burn at 4X, using the cheap shop4tech DVD-R's and was able to transfer the data back to the hardrive at the max speed. I just burned a Apple DVD-R at 1X, and another at 2X, and am getting slow transfer speeds. Am I the only one having this problem? And should I be concerned about the Data that is burned on these DVD's that do not transfer as fast as others?

Every DVD I have burned, has had no problems playing on a DVD player. I am just having different results on transferring the files back to the harddrive. The results are so sporadic, that I have not been able to find a cure.

Viz