DVD -R 4x

[clisi]

I just bought a Toshiba Tivo DVD Recorder and Toshiba tells me that only some 8x DVD's will work (if they are thick enough?) but to be sure they will work I need to buy DVD -R 4x for recording purposes. I can't find them locally anywhere (tried Best Buy, Circuit City, FYE, Costco). Can anyone recommend a reputable online vendor where I can purchase these? Also, if there is any information you think I should know I would be grateful for your suggestions. I get confused about the different types and I'm curious about how much actual recording time I'll get on each disc.

Thanks so much to all who respond.

[ROF]

Taiyo Yuden 4X DVD-R Media Silver

[Baatfam]

I find it odd that they told you that, but I'm no expert.
I can see the machine being limited to 4x...but it should be able to use 8x or even 16x...just record at 4x.

There may come a time when 4x is not avalible, then what?

Later,
Bob T.

[clisi]

Right - they said I can play all speeds, but record only on 4x (and some 8x may work if they are thick enough?) And right - what do I do when the 4x's are not available??? I just bought the gosh darn machine! I'm amazed that there are no standards on DVD's. But that's why I want to stock up now. HELP!

[Treebeard]

www.rima.com

the best online retailer IMO. I would buy the Taiyo Yuden discs.

[clisi]

Treebeard: Can you give me their web address? I tried www.imo.com and it didn't work. Thanks.

[Treebeard]

To clarify rima is the company I like best
www.rima.com

I said they were the best IMO (In My Opinion)

[clisi]

I didn't see the link...I'm still learning the web lingo! IMO - I've see that before but it didn't dawn on me! Thanks, Treebeard. I'll look on the site now.

[clisi]

Treebeard - They only have a brand called Princo. Have you used those or heard of that brand?

[canadateck]

Taiyo Yuden 4X DVD-R Media Silver

Look at What ROF Posted.

[Treebeard]

I've never used them.
here are user comments on them
https://www.videohelp.com/dvdmedia.php?selectmedia=202#comments

you can try shop4tech.com or supermediastore.com also.

[lordsmurf]

Treebeard - They only have a brand called Princo. Have you used those or heard of that brand?

Princo is poor grade, unreliable, lower quality media.
See www.nomorecoasters.com

[clisi]

Thanks, Lord. I am looking at Ritek and Taiyo. This site has a great section on dvd reliability!

[SaSi]

Right - they said I can play all speeds, but record only on 4x (and some 8x may work if they are thick enough?) And right - what do I do when the 4x's are not available??? I just bought the gosh darn machine! I'm amazed that there are no standards on DVD's. But that's why I want to stock up now. HELP!

There are standards and specifications on how thick a DVD disk should be and all manufacturers have to comply to these standards. It is the first time I've heard of thickness being an issue in recording devices.

One problem that I have seen is trying to burn a 16x -R disk on a burner (really old) that was rated at 1x. The explanation that I've reached was that inspecting the -R media disk, the various programs showed that it was rated for 2x, 4x, 6x, 8x, 12x and 16x. I supposed that there are so many entries for speed ratings on the disk and the manufacturer decided to drop the 1x speed (not many burners still used are rated only that low). So, the poor old burner didn't find any compatible speed rating.

Other than such obscure and rare cases, using higher rated high quality media should not cause any trouble. Tayo Yuden disks typicaly burn succesfully at higher speeds than they are officially rated for (e.g. 8x +R disks burn succesfully at 16x).

[clisi]

SaSi...It's really frustrating, isn't it? I just purchased my unit 2 weeks ago, but it was likely built in 2004. But even at that, 8x and higher speeds were around then so why Toshiba conformed to the 4x I have no idea. It's an awesome machine as far as the Tivo is concerned.

Today I called Toshiba again and got an agent who actually has the same unit as I do. She said the Maxell "Up to" 8x -R's work so I went to Office Depot and the 50-pak was on sale for $15.99. Can't beat the price and they are returnable. I also picked up the Office Depot 4x -RW's - 25-pak for $9.99 on sale. I will be testing tonight and over the weekend and will post my results on the dvdmedia and dvdrecorder sections of this site.

Thanks to all!