Burn Speed

[Cinemagic]

I just read an online MSN article from an IBM tech that stated CD-ROM (and presumably DVD-R as well) had a limited life of 2-5 years. He attributed it to media degradation and the differences in burns from home units and commercial units.

I have experienced movies that played properly after the burn but then refused to play after a couple of years and even after as short as 6 months. Cleaning and repairing did not have an effect. I didn't think it would since I'm really particular with keeping even fingerprints off the playing surface.

These movies were burned on first generation Pioneer DVD-R disks - admittedly not the best media around. I switched to Opto when it was rated as the best and I now use Tayo and have been happy with it. But I have only a year's experience with Tayo disks.

The disks are rated for burns at 4X, but I've been burning at 2X.

My question is: Does burn speed have an effect on burn quality? I've had no problems at a 2X burn but have not tried a 4X burn. If the burn quality is the same, then I'd certainly rather burn at a faster rate. Suggestions?

[lordsmurf]

That IBM tech was full of crap. Read more about it here: https://forum.videohelp.com/viewtopic.php?t=289714

Burn speed should not matter.

There is some anecdotal evidence that 16x media is "abused" at 16x, much like 52x CD-R. And the difference between the burn speeds is maybe a minute at most, so why risk it? CD-R works plenty fine and fast at 16x-32x, and you don't save any time by slamming it through at 52x. Same for DVD-R/DVD+R, only go 4x-12x.

The important thing on speed is to not exceed the rating of the disc. Another factor, depending on disc and drive, is to not vary too far off from the rated speed. You want to burn 8x media at 1x, for example. Too slow can be bad too.

But that's really if we get picky about it. Speeds should not matter, as long as you stick to the rating of the disc.

[ROF]

That one article spawned quite a few topics in these forums. The general consensus being that quality of media is important. That goes for magnetic or optical media. Burn speed has no relation on the quality or life of a burned disc. I burn media at it's rated speed. No faster. No slower. Haven't made a coaster in quite some time unless the media was bad. I have burnt audio CDs from a decade ago and they still play the same today as they did back then. Quite a few of those have been kept in harsh environments (ie. my vehicle) and unlike magnetic media (ie. cassettes) the CD media still plays properly.

[RacerXRed]

I know for the Verbatim DL's that I use the package says good for 6x. Nero and Decryptor says 8x max on these discs, I usually stick between 4x-8x on them. Haven't had a problem with them. Cdr's at 52x seems a bit much.........

[ROF]

The only CD-Rs I've burnt at 52x were audio CDs. I no longer have my 52x CD Burner and my DVD Burners are all 48x Max.

[RacerXRed]

The fastest dvd media I've seen is 16x, I could only imagine the specs on the machine that it would take to burn a dvd at 48x. Kinda curious what they do to the disc to make it able to burn at those high speeds.

[ROF]

Just to clarify, when I said 48x I was referring to the CD Burning speed of my DVD Burners. DVD burning is maxed out at 16x. I do not own any dedicated CD burners anymore. At least none installed in working machines.