Memorex 4X DVD-R, not recognised as blank media?!

[Zdram]

I purchased a pack of 100 Memorex 4X Professional DVD-R discs from UK, but they've proved to be a source of frustration.

My Pioneer DVR-105 doesn't recognise the disc properly, the disc keeps spinning like mad but doesn't show up in any media info utility.

Toshiba 6112 kicks out the disc right after insertion.

Nec 1300 reads the disc (Media ID shows CMC MAG as manufacturer), but doesn't even begin the burn process.

All the drives have the most recent firmware.

What the heck is going on?? I've tried all kinds of no-name brands, but never have I encountered a batch of discs that all seem to be totally unreadable (I've had my share of write errors with cheap media, but please...)!

I ordered these from overseas and sending them back means an extra cost as well. I contacted Memorex, but have had no response yet. Has anyone heard about this? Are there batches of Memorex 4X going round that are this *fooked* up?

I know for a fact that loads of people are using these discs with their DVR-105 with no problems.

This is driving me mad!

[hififan]

I have been using the memorex silver topped 4x discs for a while now with my pioneer dvr 105; however, I purchased the printable discs from Amazon.com and I have not been able to successully burn a disc.

The media code as displayed in the nero tool kit is Manufacturer CMC, id CMC MAG AF1.

What is strange is that this is the same media code as the silver topped non-printable discs.

[Zdram]

When you say "can't burn a disc", what exactly do you mean? Are the discs recognised on your DVR-105, but you can't start the burn process or it terminates before completion? I mean, my DVR-105 doesn't even read the discs properly, for instance Nero's media info shows nothing; "no media inserted".

[hififan]

My drive recognizes the discs. Nero indicates that the disc is successfully burned. The disc will play partially. When inspecting the burned side of the disc, the surface has a series of blurry blotchy circular rings. The laser burn is uneven.

This occurs if I burn the discs at any speed, ie 1x, 2x, 3x. or 4x.

[Barnabas]

Zdram,

What firmware version is your Pioneer? What you are seeing is a firmware issue unless you got a bad batch of disks. Pioneer is great about updating it's firmware, but the firmware MUST have that disk in it's media table, or it won't even see the disk.

The NEC burners do NOT work well due to poor firmware. Only VERY costly disks work with them usually.

[Zdram]

Well, the testing is now over, and the verdict is out.

This batch of Memorex 4X DVD-R is a pile of crap. Tried 5 different burners, all with the most recent firmware, and none of the drives was able to burn one of these babies.

A word of warning, be very careful when you buy Memorex CMC MAG AF1 discs! You just might get a similar batch...

I purchased 100 coasters (have only tested about 30 discs, though) and will NEVER buy Memorex DVD-R again. Btw, these came in tubs of 10. Sending them back where they came from.

Z.

[gf]

Hi Zdram,
I have a Pioneer A04, and when I burned a Memorex disc with Nero, it said it was a good burn also. When I went to play it in my Pioneer DV-434 it would hang up in spots, and lock up the player. I went to Memorex's website and filled out a complaint form and they are replacing the discs. Wish you luck!

Steve

[Barnabas]

It sounds like those disks had a bad media ID code. I suspect that Memorex simply buys disks from various makers, so you never know who made what you bought.

[Zdram]

Well, this gets interesting. It seems I'm not the only one suffering from this problem. I've received a few e-mails stating that people have ordered Memorex DVD-R just to find out that they can't be burned with any burner. Memorex Europe, the company, seems to take no responsibility in this doohiki.

Go figure. The customer gets screwed AND pays the extra costs of sending the discs back. Hooray.

Z.

[Bob W]

I have a 25 pack of memorex which both my Sony DRU500ax and Pioneer 105 will not record to at all. I have been able to use a few of them on my Panasonic E50 recorder.

[fmctm1sw]

I too am struggling with Memorex media. I bought a 3 pack of +RWs that take forever to load up and have to be inserted two or three times to work right. I've had better luck with the cheapo Pengo stuff I bought...

[Defcon]

I am a total Newbie but I can say this.....

I bought two (5) packs of Memorex DVD-R from Office Depot..... Everyone burned fine

I bought another (5) pack Memorex -R from CompUSA (these came w/ DVD cases) and not one burned sucessfully. It must be the media as I tested it on a original DVD I already backed up..... It too failed

Looks like I will be sending these back to Memorex, and will start buying another brand. Sucks because this is not a cheap hobby