problem with OPTODISC 1-4X

[ktnwin]

I had good results with Ritek 1X (purple media). Then I switch to a new brand. The problem start with a 50-disc pack I bought (1X). I have bought the same brand before it only get a few coasters. I try about 4 or 5 from the second pack and all of them have problem when playing the last 3/4 of the disc (on Pioneer 343 and 333). My burner is A05, burned with Nero (shipped with the burner).

So I exchanged the second pack for 30 OPTODISC DVD-R 1-4X (the only one available in the store), each disc has its own jewel case. The strange thing is I got similar problem with this: one out of 3 is OK, the other 2/3 always have problem when playing the last quarter of the disc. Video keep jerking, freezing, macro blocks showed everywhere and eventually freeze my DVD player. the same disc(s) may or may not play on my PC. This happens regardless of the burning speed (1X or 4X).

Does that sound like a media compatibility issue or a burning issue ?

Hope someone can shed the light on this.

[rcb]

a couple of possibilities:

1) if you are putting labels on, don't.. or use the small center ring labels. dvd disks are very sensitive to imbalance/wobble.

2) check to see that your burner has the latest available firmware revision

3) save a cuppla of those coasters and try them on a friend's player or a few different display units at a local store. If the disks show up bad there too, probably time to go back to the brand that did work for you

4) you might try further reducing the file size that you are burning - like from say 4.2 gig down to <4 gig. Inexpensive disks are notorious for jitter, etc. when maxed out to full capacity.

5) defrag your HDD containing the Audio_ts/Video_ts files just before starting to burn to get a smoother data flow during burn.

[lordsmurf]

Optodisc 4x tend to have dye burn when burned at 4x. It's not the normal "bad media" syndrome, as the disc balances perfectly ... it's a flaw in their current 4x dye formulation. Old ones did not have this issue. It tends to melt (overshift in the dye while pit/lans being burned) under high speed laser burn. They will react fine under 1x or 2x burns.

I dumped Optodisc because of this. Sucked to do it, but that's the way it goes. I really liked them up to that point.

Ritek 100% suggested in its place.

[ktnwin]

Thanks for the quick replies:
1) I will dump the disc that cannot even be read by my PC DVD-ROM, these are hopless
2) I will try other coasters on other DVD players (got to visit soem relatives during this Xmas season anyway)
3) After using up my current batch of OPTODISC, I will definitely go back to Ritek brand. As I mentioned, at 1X or 4X burning, these OPTODISC behave the same way. Still get a dozen more to go !!!

[vivisimonvi]

This is an interesting topic. I've bought a 50 pack of Opto's (1X blue ones) from Rima over a year ago. Most of the stuff I've burned are VHS to DVD transfers (I only watched the first few minutes to make sure it actually worked). Now watching the last parts, almost all of them are glitchy towards the end (even burned at 1X speed). Glad I found this post before dumping the tapes. Are there any other media that has no problems with this?

I assume some of my data discs are corrupted as well, with any data burned past the 4 GB barrier.

[ktnwin]

Some of these OPTIDISC can still be read by the computer DVD-ROM, so your data discs could be still OK.
I bought the FUJIFILM DVD-R, made in JAPAN, (4X, 2$/disc) and these work great (burn at 4X, play great), no problem whatsoever.
Also order a pack of 50 G04 Ritek (DVD-R 4X) from Meritline.com, these have good user feedback (1$/disc). Just got them yesterday, burn two discs and both look excellent - no problem at all.
Stay away from OPTIDISC.