25 count DVD+R for free at PCMall after rebate

[jaxxboss]

i burned a disc and it choked. It got to 100% and nero just froze. waited 20 min then tried to eject the dvd but the door wouldnt open. had to reboot. dvd player shows as NO DISC. Explorer shows as NO DISC.
DVD Author wouldnt even write to it. Now I know why these were FREE after rebate. Noki, hope you have better luck than me.

[noki]

what bad luck sorry to hear that. but the fault may be with nero (what version are you using BTW). i use copytodvd and nero 5.5.10.42 and do not have burning issues. but then again i have always used branded name media, with the exception of the orange-topped stuff i got from PC Club at less than $1 each... turns out they are Ritek G04 dvd-rs
anyway please try another burning prog. maybe if you convert the files your just tried to burn in nero to an image using ImgTools and then burn the image with DVD Decrypter...good luck and keep us posted. i will post as soon as i get my spindle. but do try to use something other than nero. have heard numerous complaints about nero doing exactly what you experienced. also be sure the file size is not too large...try to stay at 4464M (the filesize from DVD Shrink) or less.

[jaxxboss]

Noki, I did try to burn an image file, thats what choked. I also tried dvd author and it wont recognize the disc. I never had a problem with dvd author. As a matter of fact, I tried to burn xmen2 with it and it choked, but on my TDK a couple days ago i burned it just fine on tdk and dvd author.

[steve2713]

I just wanted to mention that I also ordered this media. Actually I ordered it from Ecost.com, which from what I understand is 'connected' to PCMall. I ordered the BMI 25pk DVD+R 4x Media, and I also received media labeled as Pro Media instead of saying BMI. I was concerned that the media was a replacement and that they wouldn't honor the rebate, but I spoke to their customer service and they claimed that this was the proper media and that they would honor the rebate. I've read that these 2 websites' rebates are very much 'hit and miss' as to whether they will actually honor their rebates I read up on this media somewhere and although it says 4x, it is definitely only a 2.4x media, so if anyone gets it to burn at 4x, let us know. I burned it at 2.4x and it actually seems to be decent media so far, burned with my NEC 1300a (firmware 1.07v4). I'll try to remember to post any other info I have. I'm posting a DVD Speed test from one of these discs.

[steve2713]

trying to post the image again -

[jaxxboss]

Steve, my speed test was the same. I did manage to finaly burn a dvd. Looks real good, but like you said it is only 2.4x. I emailed the company yesterday and havnt heard anything back from them. I asked them why they advertise as 4x when it is only 2.4. We shall shall maybe.

[-jsl-]

Post the media code or even better add the media to the media list. Probably they're made by one of the mysterious anonymous manufacturers (with a blank code or "MEDIA ID" as manufacturer ID), ie your NEC based drives don't have the media code implemented in the firmware and therefore default to 2.4x speed although they're, at least in theory, might be 4x media.

[noki]

jaxxboss
hey, good to hear you burned a winner! are you still using nero, and was the speed of the burn the problem? BTW what is the media id on the disc your just burned? thanks again, and i will post when i get my shipment Friday (i hope).

[jaxxboss]

Prassi.

[jaxxboss]

Did a search on the media code and found only one person that said he could burn at 4x. He was using Pioneer DVR-A06/106D. All the rest stated they could only burn at 2.4x even though media listed as 4x.
Prassi is correct for being burned in dvd author, right?
Anyway, looks like that's it for these puppies. If the rebate comes then it's not a bad deal, otherwise Stay clear of these.

[GnatGoSplat]

I don't think this is very good quality media. I have tested 2 of the LeadData DVD's at 1X speed, 8 ECC. Most people test them faster, but since DVD players usually read at 1X, this should give an accurate representation of the number of errors a set top DVD player would see.

LeadData DVD+R Disc 1:
PI Max= 168, Total= 1493215, Average= 92.493
PO Max= 8, Total= 1480, Average= 0.092

LeadData DVD+R Disc 2:
PI Max= 198, Total= 1396758, Average= 98.516
PO Max= 6, Total= 1163, Average= 0.082

Khypermedia (TDK) DVD-R:
PI Max= 37, Total= 137286, Average= 8.996
PO Max= 12, Total= 3449, Average= 0.226

Memorex (Ricoh) DVD+RW:
PI Max= 10, Total= 18257, Average= 1.087
PO Max= 6, Total= 612, Average= 0.036

My JVC and Oritron DVD players will play them... I skip around chapters and there hasn't been a problem. I haven't had time to play one straight through yet. My RCA DVD player won't touch them. However, the Memorex and Khypermedia DVD's tested above play perfectly without glitch on the RCA.

[noki]

jaxxboss
well, just received my spindle. yes it has an unmarked silver top with purple dye. says ProMedia (Tech), copyright 2003 Lead Data Inc. on paper wrapper.
will burn 1 tonight and post result.
thanks for the DVDInfo screen. looks like you bit-setted the disc to DVD-Rom using Prassi, and that the media is indeed 2x.
but even if i can only burn at 2.4x AND i receive my rebate it is a good deal indeed

GnatGoSplat
thanks for your post and tests.

[jaxxboss]

noki
Yup, only 2.4x. Oh well. Like ya said, as long as the rebate comes thru, then Im fine with it. No probs burning since the first disc. still havnt heard back from proMedia customer service yet, and i'm not holding my breath.

[noki]

ever tried CopyToDVD (older version 2.3.7)? i use it exclusively for dvd video burns (for dvd-r and dvd+r only). i use nero 5.5.10.42 for dvd video rw media because the former refuses to burn rws. wrote to VSO about this and they replied that i should update to v2.3.10 and it will resolve the problem. never did, cuz nero works fine.
anyway when i inspect the log that's generated by CTD it appears to burn initially at a lower speed (2.4x) but then kicks into high-gear (4x) after a few seconds if the media supports it.. so Nero may not, but others might. VSO offers a trial...just a thought.

[delsherif2]

Yeah, both the -R and +R arrived, and its looks like a media switch for both. Still purple dye and the +R have a clear top (no writing) and the -R have some writing that reads "Promedia 4.7Gb 1-4x DVD-R General". Spindle Paper label reads Promedia Tech Tustin Ca Copyright 2003 Lead Data Inc.
Anyone had coasters yet (before I crack my spindle open)?
I HATE it when they switch manufacturers for the same sku - sounds shady to me...-D

[DeFkOrN]

anyone else have luck with these? i want to pick up some, there are only like 60 left. i dont mind 2.4x, they are practically free. if its not worth my time, let me know. thanks!

[mopar7]

Well, I got them today, they feel thinner than Ritek+R's, and when you hold them up to the light, you can see thru them,you can't see thru Ritek, Philips, Memorex, Khypermedia, or even verbatim. I have put a movie on one using a Philips DVDR75 and they seem to work, but am unconfortable with being able to see thru them, they still work out to $1 each and I won't buy them again at that price, only a $10 rebate just covers shipping.

[mopar7]

I've done 80 movies across Memorex, verbatim, Khypermedia without a problem, 2nd Promedia became a coaster. I don't like them for movies.

[jaxxboss]

Well, my first one was a coaster, but have burned 6 in a row since. The media isnt that thin either. Granted it's not TDK. As far as the others, well since most of them have a coating over them and some writing, it would be kinda hard to see thru them. The rebate makes these free, so its a good price for $7.00(shipping). Would I buy them again for free plus the shipping charge?...Hmmmmm, I dunno, maybe.

I'll burn at 2.4x with nero or DVD Author, I can live witht that.

[noki]

hi all,
burnt 2 last night...burns fine but @2x only with copytodvd. plays fine on pc and tv (chapter skipping). now for that rebate

[FKrueger]

I've read elswhere that if you can see thru them while holding them up into the light, they aren't a good product. Anyone heard otherwize?

[jaxxboss]

I've read elswhere that if you can see thru them while holding them up into the light, they aren't a good product. Anyone heard otherwize?

I'm not sure, but since most brand name media is considered good they also have a coating on the side of the disc where u can write/print on and therefor cannot see thru it. On the other hand, most no name media is "silver" topped with no coating. Now I can see thru this media, but I cant tell if the name brand media can be seen thru as well because they dont have them in silver top. Unless somebody wants to claim that is why silver topped media is cheap because it dont have that coating.

[gmatov]

I can see light through every one of my disks that is not very heavily painted.

I do believe there is a set amount of aluminum that has to be deposited, and a dye or phase change layer of a given density, before they can pass muster, and, since I haven't seen any that you can't see light through, I don't think that is a good test. I also do not think these layers are very damn heavy. Microns, mebbe.

Good old wive's tale, though.

[FKrueger]

I do have silver topped Ritek +R's, and cant see thru them. Hope it is a wives tale, I bought 50of them.

[jaxxboss]

Just an update from the manuf regarding the non 4x writing.
Recieved a reply on dec 17th from my dec 3 email. "If the package states 4X, and it should be 4X. However, I will pass your valuable information to the factory for a further survey.

bogus and typical response. I didnt respond. Then on Dec 18th i recieved the following..Please tell me a little more about the product you purchased from
PC Mall. Was the product a 4xDVD-R or was it a 4XDVD+R.

I am in Florida and can be reached at 954-983-7878
Please give me a call

Cherryll Cates

__________________________________________________ ______________
Sent via the MyWebMail system at lead-data.com


That I responded to via email. Will see what happens.

[CoolRain]

... wow, question: how do they make money? has to be someway!!!

I doubt their rebate will ever get to you. I bought meritline's products 6 months ago from Fry's electironic and still today i haven't heard nothing. So watch out their rebates, might be something never going to happen .

[jaxxboss]

Im not holding my breath about getting the rebate. If I get it then fine, if not then no big deal. If I didnt need any discs, then I wouldnt have bought these. Not a bad price for these without the rebate, so if it does come in down the road, then its a lil extra bonus money for me.

[steve2713]

I wanted to let you guys know that I received my rebate check for $19.99 from Ecost.com today! I was really doubting that I was going to get it, but they came through, and quite fast for a rebate, I might add - I ordered from them about 1 month ago. So about $5 (after shipping, etc.) for 25 decent quality DVD+Rs, what a deal! Good Luck to the rest of you and hopefully you all get your rebates.

[jaxxboss]

I recieved my rebate check today for $19.99 also. PCMALL has honored their rebate. Noki, how about you bud?

[GnatGoSplat]

Just an FYI, on my Liteon LDW-401S, I upgraded the firmware to 4FS0H (for the 411S) and now my drive can burn these at 4X using Nero 6.3.0.2! Another interesting improvement with the new firmware, is that these DVD's will now play in my RCA DVD player that couldn't play them before.