Testing Media Failure - Using Record Now DX

[ewingr]

I purchased a 50 PAK of Memorex DVDs a while back, media code CMCAG (which people in the media rating forum are saying is crap).

At any rate, I just went out and purchsed some Verbatims, that the forum is saying is good.

Now, I have been running the TEST function in Record Now DX. Last night it failed on 8 straight DVDs of the Memorex. So, just arriving home with teh Verbatim, I decided to test. It failed too. ALL of them are failing at atou 199.72MB. The error is:

Data Job Terminated with errors
Error - 10 at sector 102256 - Comand:2A Sense:03 ASC:02 ASCQ:00

The errors are not all at the identical sector, but very close. I am quite suspicious that multiple disks, even on different versions, would fail a test like this at roughly the same spot.

So, now I am wondering if I am having problems with my DVD, or is the TEST method in the software worthless.

My DVD is a SONY DRU500A. The firmware is 1.0f. I have had good luck burning on Memorex 10PAKS, and SONY DVDs up 'til now.

Any thoughts for me?

[disturbed1]

Let me guess, those Verbatims are CMC MAG too?

Verbatim starting OEMing to Ritek and CMC.

The Mitsubishi one's say 2x on the jewel case.

Seems with the recent reports that Verbatim has gone down in terms of quality.

Comand:2A Sense:03 ASC:02 ASCQ:00

Means No Seek Complete.

Check the disc for dust/scratches.

Buy a TDK, or Apple disc, and give it a go.

[defense]

just check out the Verbatim post I started a few days ago. Numerous other posters have also had issues. I don't doubt Disturbed' facts regarding the 2x normally being MCC disks, but the truth is that Verbatim also sells the CMC disks with the spindle saying "2x" directly on them. Not only that, some MCC disks were mixed in with a spindle I had which was mostly CMC, and lastly, there were many issues I encountered using the Verbatim MCC DVD+R's also. Oh, not to mention that many people have reported other media codes for Verbatim disks such as RICOH, etc....with ALL this information....it's obvious Verbatim is crap and the best advice would be to take your disks back for a refund and get some real media. If you need media right away, go with TDK or Maxell.

[ewingr]

Well, the Verbatims are RITEKG03. The reports on this forum, although only 4 of them, are positive.

Looking at the disk I tested, it looks absolutely clean, and clear, no scratches. That's to the eye, of course.

I am still very suspicious, as that all tests always fail at approximately the same place on the disk, even different brands. The MB reading on the testing is always 199.X, where X may be 66, 72, or some variable.

I may try to do a burn on one and see what happens. But, hope to hear more feedback on this.

BTW...the spindle, label, and printing on the disk doesn't say anything about being 2X. They don't say Datalife Plus, just Datalife. Frankly, at the rate I'm going, I don't care if they are 1X. I just want the darned things to work! And remain good!

Haven't looked at the post that defense put out there yet (didn't include a link.) But I'm heading to the search box now.

With regard to getting Real Media: everybody has a different opinion. Verbatim is supposed to be a 'good brand name'. The few reports out there are good. This is pretty frustrating. I can't keep spending 20-40 dollars to come home and find they don't work. I wonder what the darned problem is. Isn't there a standard being followed? Oh, well, I digress.

Thanks for all your responses. Will be watching for more.

[disturbed1]

Wondering if you picked those up from Sam's Club?

Strange that the test fails at close to the same spot everytime.

The way I see it, doesn't matter if you test burn or not. You still wasted time, and have a bad disc, same if you were to go ahead and burn it anyway.

Record Now Max in combo with the Sony may not perform the test cycle correctly. Has the test cycle worked before for you? If yes, then so much for that thought

What recording speed do you have it set at? Try forcing to 1x if you haven't already.

[ewingr]

Disturbed1

Answers to your questions:

Yes, I got them at SAMS club.

I agree about the the 'strange' comment. I just did a test on another one while writing this, and it failed at the EXACT same sector as a test on one of the Memorex. Something is screwey here.

I hear your thoughts on Verbatim. Suppose I should take them back. Not sure if I can. Thought I moved up by moving away from Memorex.

Record Now DX with Sony: That is th program that came with the Sony, so I would hope it would work. But I am suspicious.

Yes, the test cycle has worked before.

And I do have it forced to 1X.

[disturbed1]

I'd burn a disc. You never know.

Don't return those Verbatim just yet. Ritek is a good quality brand. But Sam's will take them back, not sure if it's refund, exchange, credit or what. Would rather have Ritek any day instead of CMC. But man is that a premium price for Ritek media.

If burning the disc fails also, time for some trouble shooting.

Defrag, burn an image instead of folders, update asapi, try another burning program (DVD Decrypter), try burning a cd too, etc. After your at your wits end, the sony could be bad, seems like a few people have them go belly up. My A05 lasted a whole 3 weeks, so it can happen to all burners, not picking on Sony.

Defense has a sony burner, maybe he'll have some insite.

Good luck, let us know how it turns out.

[defense]

@ewingr, one thing I can say which is interesting is that these Verbatim disks I purchased were so bad that they didn't have their issues at the END of the disk..they had them by chapter 9 or 10, of a 20+ chapter movies. I thought it was interesting that the freezing occurred at the same place on all the disks. So it would make sense that erwing is seeing the disks have the issue with testing....I think it's obvious with all the other reports on Verbatim disks as well as your disks..you also have bad disks. I personally think you should return them..just because of the number of people that have been "burned" no pun intended....I agree Ritek is good media, but I think that there's something seriously wrong with these Verbatim disks. Memorex disks on the other hand have been predominantly bad for countless people. I'd just say away from those all together.

As far as the "SONY" burners go....tryin' to take a shot at Sony huh Disturbed? lol...no, in this case it definitely isn't the burner..it's the disk. I'd bet anyone erwing can go out tomorrow, purchase a 5 pack of Maxell or TDK disks, and all of them will burn flawlessly.

I have read posts with Sony burners going belly up..but some of those posts had to do with people restarting their system while the burn process wasn't complete....and i've read the same number, if not, more posts of people saying my Pioneer A03, A04, or A05 is dead..HELP...so with any piece of hardware....some people will just get a defective model.

My first Philips standalone player was excellent..then after a week or so I noticed it studdered pretty often..thought it was the media I was using...but it did it on everything...took the player back to Best buy for another one, and the issue hasn't resurfaced in several months....so shit happens...but in this case the 'SHIT' is the DVD media, not the DVD Burner.

[ewingr]

Well, looks like I should take these back. I'm tempted to burn one, but on the other hand, it will probably be easier to take them back if the pak is complete.

Defense: I read the post you mentioned earlier. One interesting comment I read there ( I think it was there) was that it seemed that the 5 or 10 paks were less problematic than the larger PAD via spindle. They were surmising, I think, that bulk may be made cheaper. I was very successful with my Memorex (yes, Memorex) 10 paks.

I'm not sure what to buy. On this thread, it seems that TDK gets a strong vote; Ritek has been listed as good; reading feedback on ANY DVD in the Media Table at the, there is always someone that has good luck and others that don't.

I may try yet one more brand, and if they also test bad, I'll try some burns and blow a bunch of money.

Maybe I should have just stuck with my Sony 8MM stuff. This is too damn painful. Once I get a disk that will burn, it probably won't play on whatever DVD player I happen to want it to play on. That's another issue all together. Ain't it fun?

[ewingr]

Disturbed1: BTW...I paid ~$37 for 25 on the Verbatim (Ritek), locally. That is more than online, but not bad for walk-in purchases...at least around here.

Haven't burt any yet, still trying to decide whether to take them back.

I am going to go somewhere today and try to find some TDK and see if they test bad.

[rawplug]

Hey ewingr,

I have a similiar probelem with some memorex cd-rw when i try to format them with DLA and sony dru-510 the format fails at the same point on every disk......em....

[Laddydaddy]

ewingr
Instead of buying bulk packs why not buy a couple of single DVDs? This way you can try different brands and see if you are still having problems burning. As suggested try TDK as well as Verbtim data life plus. The cost per disc will be higher than those in a bulk pack, but if you only buy a few at least you won't get soaked with the cost of buying in quantity and getting stuck with a bunch of discs you can't use. I'm also surprised that Sam's Club is selling Verbatims that are not datalifeplus. Here in Las Vegas Sam's Verbatims are all datalifeplus. The cost is $44.97 for 30 DVDs. I have used Nero as well as Sonic MyDVD and Ulead DVD Movie Factory without problems. If you are still having problems with other name brand DVDs maybe you can switch to another burning program.

[ewingr]

Okay...I'm screwed. To that in a minute...

First: on last suggestion about buying singles...I'd do that, but I'm not finding them that way. And, in the past, I have purchased 10 PAKS, and they burn fine. But when I buy Bulk, they don't.

I should remind everyone, that right now I'm not burning, but doing TEST from Record Now, and the test is failing.

Now for the "I'm Screwed":

Just purchased TDK. Media Info is: TDKG02000000. They ALSO test bad, at the same place.

Now, test bad on Vertatim, Memorex, and TDK. The testing must be wrong. I am having problems burning the Memorex, and posts everywhere on this site trash Memorex. That's what started me looking at other brands.

I downloaded a drive test program from Sony today, and it tests the drive out as OK.

I think my next thing to try is to put the 2.0F Firmware on and see what happens. If it still fails the TEST in RecordNow, then I guess I'll start burning some of the TDK, and see if they work anyway. Seen most positive feedback on TDK.

With regard to LaddyDaddy'ssuggestion of trying a different burning program: Having done a lot of reading on this forum about burning programs, I find that Record Now gets the most consistent feedback as being reliable. And, in my experience, I have had the best luck with it and having the burned DVDs play on other players. I have also worked with Nero, Roxio, and burn from authoring programs. So, I'm reluctant to change, although I am so so suspicious of the test failing at teh same spot on so many, and various brands.

I'll post my results from the firmware upgrade soon.

[ewingr]

Well, well, well...

I applied 2.0f to the drive. Have tested 3 DVDs: 1each of Memorex, Verbatim, TDK. All tested OK, up to 1.7GB. They were failing before at 199mb.

So, I may be on my way. If I find more interesting info as I progress, I'll add it.