Sonic (MUST001), Shop4Tech, and TYG02 fakes...

[seikima]

anyone else here think Sonic (MUST001) are perfectly fine discs and have never had a problem? i've burned thousands of them from the same drive (DVR-105) and every single one burned perfectly and verified without problem. never any playback issues either. it shouldn't matter that i use a Mac, right? for $17.10 per 100 (that's with a 10% off coupon) they're great!
i've only bought my media from one online retailer... Shop4Tech. over the past few days i have read how they are ripoffs or fakers or whatever, but i have never had a problem with them, either... EXCEPT for this last order. i ordered my usual 100x SONIC white tops, and i received the TYG02 fakes. they come in the exact same cake-box, with the exact same "TWP" sticker, "factory sealed" plastic on them... but they were not MUST001.
has anyone else received these same fakes when ordering the Sonic? they are total garbage and wont burn correctly at 4X.

[HatchetMan]

I haven't had any probs burning them at 8x yet, gone through about 20 so far, checked for errors with dvdinfopro - none, plays back on all my players too, but apparently I am in the minority with a lucky batch. They were the TYG02 fakes, no "TWP" sticker, no "factory sealed" plastic on them.

[sammie]

I have never had any problems with Shop4Tech either, but have actually had problems with Rima which most folks here swear by. To be honest after following the various fakes, problems, etc threads for a while I've become convinced of several things.

1) Most reputable dealers are trying to sell good stuff and aren't knowingly pushing garbage.

2) The dealers are operating on a thin margin and aren't always digging too deeply on what is in the shrink wrap.

3) Some supply chain layer, and possibly many layers; manufacturers, wholesalers etc. periodically fill product holes with pretty much any disk they can get their hands on.

4) DVD blank making isn’t yet the hard science that making CD blanks is, and there are still a lot of bad lots even with reputable brands.

5) The whole area is rife with some shady characters who buy or have custom made lesser quality disks and have no qualms about selling them off as higher quality disks.

Bottom line; use the media codes, be aware of what your favorite disks should look like, buy from reputable dealers, and hold the dealers accountable when the disks you get aren’t really what you ordered. Don’t get too out of shape and realize that you are going to get bad lots or even fakes occasionally. Just send them back, raise a modest stink and don’t be afraid to stand your ground if a company tries to not honor their guarantee.

[aanaravs]

Bottom line; use the media codes

I disagree. For example, many discs use the TY media code, to burn successfullly at 8x (supermedia store media, matrix etc.) If you can get 100 TY media ID discs for $25, then wouldn't everybody be purchasing those?

[sammie]

I disagree. For example, many discs use the TY media code, to burn successfullly at 8x (supermedia store media, matrix etc.) If you can get 100 TY media ID discs for $25, then wouldn't everybody be purchasing those?

Granted, as I said, it's just one of the things to look at. Taking it to the exterme, you mention a questionable but vaguely understandable practice. I'd argue that a good chunk maybe even most of the bogus media codes are just fraud. You have to do everything, and even then accept that occasionally you are going to still get burned.

[seikima]

well, now i am actually pleased that S4T gave me the TYG02 fakes instead of the 1X2X Sonic (MUST001, which could burn at 4X) because i just got my new DVR-108, and those fakes burn at 12X! they were total junk in my DVR-105, but perfect burn, verify, playback with my DVR-108. i've burned 42 so far with no problems! (the first 8 were junked on my 105 via 1X,2X,4X)
i guess it really does have a lot to do with the drive (and firmware) you use. sure, if you 'truly' get a bad batch of media, it wont matter what drive you burn it on, but my unscientific test shows these are better suited for the 108.

[snoland]

I have had good luck with Shop4tech as well. I have burned a bunch of the Sonic branded Must001's and never have had a problem. I am using a Nec 2510a with 2.F8 firmware