Having problem burning at 8x with several media (no media wars, please). Burn at 4x good. The 8x burns report o.k. with Nero cd/dvd speed, etc. DVD plays back on PC, standalone skips, jumps, etc. approx. 1/3 to 1/2 way through movie (not end of disc issue). Optorite Tech Support answers 1/2 the time. Have done everything (clean XP install, clean Nero 6.X install, verified DMA, tried as secondary slave, master, etc.).

Received as new unit to replace RMA'd DD0203 which was very happy with (no coasters at 4x with any media) until laser failed. Did I just have bad luck again? Don't want to have to RMA again if I don't have to. Like I said, I get good burns at 4x, but 8x looks goods, but doesn't playback well. Have noticed that buffer reads constant 92% when burning at 4x. When burning at 8x, buffer reads 92% until about 30%, then it dips to near zero, then goes up to 92-98% for remainder of burn. Some discs' write surface shows a change about 1/3 in from center (darker near center). Otherwise burns seem consistent (no pits, etc.).

Anyone have a clue?