"New batch" of Shop4tech Matrix 4X DVD-R

[ebenton]

The people at Shop4tech.com sent me 3 free samples of their "Matrix" 4X DVD-R disks for me to "test as you see fit" (quote from the cover letter). 3 disks is not a very good quantity of disks to do any kind of definitive testing, so I fgured this is just a marketing ploy, which they have offered to many people as possible in an attempt to boost sales of their "Matrix" disks, in the development of which I believe they are involved.
DVDinfo revealed that these disks bear the infamous "Longten" manufacturer code.
Their cover letter states, "As before this new batch will have the capability to burn at 4X as advertised."
I thought I might as well give them a try, so I used the first one for backing up the DVD movie "Army of Darkness". I copied the files to my hard drive using DVD Shrink, then burned them to the first "Matrix" disk using Nero Express. This is a combination I have used successfully many many times in the past.
Nero Express said that the disk was burning at 4X, but it was obvious from the progress that it was only burning at 2X. Then at 80%, a write error occurred, and I had myself a "Matrix" coaster.
I tried it again with the second "Matrix" disk. Same files, same software. This time Nero Express warned that the media would only burn at 2X, but at least the disk did burn successfully, albeit at 2X.
Just to make sure that something had not gone seriously wrong with my Sony DRU-510A, I then tried the same files and same software with a Memorex 4X DVD-R, made by CMC. This burned fine at 4X.

So, out of 3 "Matrix" 4X DVD-R disks from Shop4tech.com, so far I have 1 coaster, 1 successful burn at 2X and 1 disk remaining yet to try.

Needless to say, I won't be buying any of these from Shop4tech.com.

[defense]

@ebenton...you received the "LONG..TEN" disks..which must of been a mistake by shop4tech..because it's been said be me and almost everyone else who has used them..that they simply are crappy.

There are now 3 forumula's..and you probably received the 'second' forumula..you should of received the "3rd" batch..so i'm sure it was just some mistake.....i'd be the first to tell it like it is with ANY of these online sites..and have done so with all of them...but shop4tech is the ONLY site who says they'll send FREE samples to ANYBODY who wants to try them.

Now some people may see that as spamming..if it's in the "PM's" i'd agree...but on the board...they are the ONLY company doing that.

Where's meritline on this? They want to lurk around to help people out on this forum like they are doing something....yet they KNOWINGLY purchase those PHONY MAXELL disks..and how bout THEM sending out EVEN THREE samples TO ANYONE who asked? How bout the money they woulda LOST on that..when people found them out to be COMPLETE CRAP.

Shop4tech deserves credit here because they are the only company showing that they'll take a loss..and probably a considerable one for ANYBODY who wants sample disks...maybe some of the other companies will step forward and realize that the RIGHT THING to do for "LONG TERM" relationships..is to let people test media ahead of time for themselves.

That way they can decide whether the media is worth purchasing for themselves....with that being said, you sould of gotten at least 5 disks sent...i'd send an email to the person you got the disks from..and tell them you'd like more to test...and let them know those were NOT the third forumula.

[ebenton]

defense,
You're probably right about it being a mistake. I thought I had read that their 3rd batch was not Longten. In any case, if they made a mistake in sending me the wrong disks for free, could they also make the same mistake when somebody pays for them?
I don't have a problem with them sending me 3 free disks. I'll take anything for free. Also, you're right in that it is risky for them to send out free disks to many people. Meritline, Rima and the rest don't do that, but then they are not involved in the development of any of the media that they sell, I don't believe.
Shop4tech, if you read this, I am willing to eat my words if these Longten disks were a mistake on your part, and you send me some "real" third batch disks that perform well.

[LanEvo7]

Actually, Rima does do it, thought they don't advertise it. You have to call them about it. I called them explaining about interest in purchasing their BeAlls and Samsung media since is wasn't in their sample pack when I had purchased it. The rep just told me that they'll send a sample out right away. The problem was they didn't send in good packaging and the discs arrived scuffed at the outer edges. Can't complain though since they did send it to me at no cost to me.

[hedstrosity]

i also got a sample pack of the matrix discs from shop 4 tech.... STEVE SHAw also sent the letter saying they were the "NEW" batch....
NONE of the 3 burned succesfully... they are complete $hit.. i contacted steve shaw to let him know my results twice with no reply.. one disc wouldnt burn at all.. had errors and bad sectors... the second two burnt fine, but anything after 4GB's would be bad... bad sectors and would freeze in the hime dvd player...
they are also longtens....
forget the matrix discs theyre comp;ete crap

[ebenton]

The fact that others have also received Longten disks from shop4tech makes me go "hmmmmm..."

[jc399]

I bought a 100 pack of longten media from allmediaoutlet.com under the name of "Xtreme." The first few disks burned fine but as I got further into the first 50 pack I started getting serious errors. I noticed there was some sort of defect in the silvering (like a small scratch) at about the point where the disk failed on 10 disks in a row. This media is not good at all. It isn't the worst I have bought but it is a close second. The worst media I bought came from yesbuy.net (promedia 2x) with a 100% failure rate.



[/i]

[henry_nettles]

I also received free discs from shop4tech. About two weeks ago, they sent me two DVD-R, 4x discs. They are the Longten discs, and they both burnt at 2x in my Sony DRU-500A burner. Not much more to say. I am beginning to agree with MrBass, the DVD+R is the way to go, forget about DVD-R.

[ckdexterhn1]

I'm always trying new media for my Pioneer 105. Just got a 25 pk of xtreme 4x DVD-R from allmediaoutlet ($19), and a 25 pk of Sky 4X DVD-R from yesbuy ($22), both with free shipping.

The xtreme media (Media code LONGTEN) is pure crap. Packed very well, came in it's own spindle, first ten burns had errors at very beginning...waste of time and money. $59 a hundred with free shipping, but why bother?

The Sky media (Media code AN32) is great. Packed like crap, not in a spindle but shrink-wrapped, I've used 2/3 of the 25, perfect burns each one. They have these for $70 a hundred, free shipping.

[The village idiot]

I also received free discs from shop4tech. About two weeks ago, they sent me two DVD-R, 4x discs. They are the Longten discs, and they both burnt at 2x in my Sony DRU-500A burner. Not much more to say. I am beginning to agree with MrBass, the DVD+R is the way to go, forget about DVD-R.

Man you are sad, you are blaming an entire format for the garbage disks they sent you. I feel sorry for you.

As far as shop4tech, I am still waiting for my replacement disks. After checking UPS tracking the wrong disk are very near to arriving back at shop4tech, we'll see if they ship the correct disks this time, and how fast they arrive. UPS is on my permanent sh!t list though, and have been for years.

[Faustus]

yeah its odd that there are still the Longten disc out there. I wonder why they don't get those completely out of the supply chain, so many poeple had problems with them?

Any way I've burned about 18 of the disc with the non longten code and so far been very pleased. Not one coaster and all of them play back fine.

[rrobinson256]

About two weeks after returning a 100 pack of 4X VD-R's (too many burn errors with my Sony DRU500a) I got a sample 3-pack of the "New" Matrix -R's from Steve Shaw at Shop4Tech too. I figured, for free I'll try em. They were badly damaged in the mail- the first one was too up scratched to even burn, the second one failed at 4X, the third one burned OK at 2X. I won't be ordering "Matrix" brand DVD's any time soon.

It's a shame there's no consistancy in the field with DVD's. A previous batch of 100 Optodisc 2x DVD-R's from Shop4tech- burnt with only 2 coasters out of the whole lot. I then ordred 4X -R's and returned them cause of a high failure rate. We (the rep at Shop4Tech an I) looked up my last order of the excellent Optodisc 2x -R's and re-ordered the same part #. When they arrived they had a different silkscreen label on them, there was a note on the invoice saying how the original part # was no longer available- and these were the replacement. Sorry to say, these new 2X optodiscs (OR470-000) are not nearly a good as the old batch. Out of 40, I've had 8 failures- some in the lead-in, some about 25% in the burn.

I would really like to get some reasonably priced 4X -R's with a low failure rate.... seems like I'm not the only one!





PS.... I would like to mention, Shop4Tech did give me a 100% refund (towards another purchase) on the 4X DVD's I returned- even though I used about 25 of them. I did save all the coasters, and returned them also.