why does my Philips8701 (Benq) see errors on my NEC3550 burned dvds?

[spiritgumm]

If I burn dvds on my new NEC3550a, that drive verifies the burn and Nero Scandisc shows all green. If I Nero Scan it in my Philips 8701 (aka Benq), it usually reveals a yellow ("Damaged") spot on the dvd, and might have problems reading the dvd to the computer at the yellow spot. I haven't tried the other Nero Scan functions since I don't know what they mean. I bought another NEC3550a to compare and it has the same issue and more- seems to read/write at arbitrary speeds rather than immediately revving up to the specified or max speed I set to burn. Both NEC were firmware upgraded. Burning at slower speeds on the NEC reduces the problems according to the Philips scans but not always.
The Philips/Benq is plugged in at the master position (I've forgotten if I set the jumper to master or cable select) and NEC jumper is cable select (essentially slave).
Brand of Media doesn't seem to matter. I don't want to get another Philips because they have the quirk of not reading Dvd-RW used in stand alone dvd recorders, but the NEC will. The Benq version of the Philips might not have that quirk, but I'm getting tired of buying/experimenting/returning. Anyway, any ideas, suggestions?

[budz]

Use CD/DVD SPEED to scan your discs.

http://www.cdspeed2000.com/go.php3?link=download.html

Download CD/DVD SPEED version 4.60.

[hech54]

Buy good media....then stop wasting your time scanning.

[spiritgumm]

Budz - I'm using Nero Scan disc which is one of the 4 functions of the Nero CD-DVD Speed tool (so I don't need to download it). Were you recommending one of the other functions of the tool?
Inre to the other comment, I've already mentioned Media brand seems irrelevant.

[lordsmurf]

What "brand" are you using?

You could use 10 differences "brands" of disc, but still be using something crappy like CMCMAG from all of them.

[spiritgumm]

Guess I'll write this for the 3rd time: media is not the issue. Please post any advice or ideas NOT related to media brand. If you can only think it's media, then don't post here.
I use Nero and Dvddecryptor with the same results, so I don't believe it's the software. It appears the Philips(Benq) burner is more sensitive than the NEC, and detects problems on NEC burns that NEC doesn't see. That is, the NEC can read it's own burns, but the Philips doesn't like them.

[budz]

Guess I'll write this for the 3rd time: media is not the issue. Please post any advice or ideas NOT related to media brand. If you can only think it's media, then don't post here.
I use Nero and Dvddecryptor with the same results, so I don't believe it's the software. It appears the Philips(Benq) burner is more sensitive than the NEC, and detects problems on NEC burns that NEC doesn't see. That is, the NEC can read it's own burns, but the Philips doesn't like them.

spiritgumm in order for other members to help you figure out your problem it would be best to post what brands of media you're using. It's difficult to help you when the media code is not known. I can tell you that media code/id makes a big difference when you're doing scans for errors in cd/dvd nero speed and dvdinfo pro. Media ID like CMC is crappy media. No one will want to assist you if you don't post the media id.

Your Philips drive is a rebadged 1640. Have you thought about going to the dell website to update the firmware on your Philips drive? Or you can crossflash it to the official BENQ 1640 firmware which in my opinion would be the best thing to do. You'll then be able to use QSUITE 2.1. Gotta go I'm on my way to a Home Entertainment Tech Expo!!!

[spiritgumm]

I've replaced the Philips(Benq) drive and the NEC drive, and have the same inconsistencies between both. Unfortunately Dell doesn't have any firmware updates for the Philips drive, so I would have to flash it to the Benq 1640, which I might.
I don't think it's unreasonable or offensive to ask people to focus on the possible non-media problems.

[Chuck584]

I don't think it's unreasonable or offensive to ask people to focus on the possible non-media problems.

There are a finite number of factories producing blank DVDs. The output of one factory can be sold under many different brand names.

It is not unreasonable for people to ask what specific media you are using. You can use Nero or DVDInfoPro to read the media code on the failed discs. If you are using 10 brands and they have 10 different media codes, you can most likely safely assume the media is not at fault.

Do the discs play without fault in your DVD players?

May I suggest using Nero's "DVD Copy" mode to have Nero read the contents of a suspect disc to an Image file? Nero halts on any error. If the disc's image is created successfully, chances are the disc has no real issues.

If there is truly an issue between the drives, there can be any number of reasons. Nearly every drive manufacturer will tell you they warrant their drives to read discs created on their drives but no warranty the discs will be readable on other manufacturer's drives or discs created on other manufacturer's will be read properly.

I use two NEC 3550As, an Optiarc 3570a, Liteon SOWH1633S, GSA4163, and NEC 3540 in my desktops. Sony, TSST, and Philips idrives are in different laptops. Each and every model has its own quirks. The NECS and Optiarc (NEC- Sony) are more sensitive to scratched discs than the Liteon or LG as an example. If a disc errors on one of those drives, I used the 1633 or 4163 as the source drive and usually have no problem. One drive will choke on media all the other drives use flawlessly. That is the reason manufacturers issue firmware updates.

My favorite media is TY, any variant. The NECS & Optiarc burn 8x TY02 at 12x and have never made a coaster. Not even one...

Please remember there is no such thing as too much information when troubleshooting. The issue is usually too little or incorrect information.

[hech54]

I don't think it's unreasonable or offensive to ask people to focus on the possible non-media problems.

That settles it....you are using crap media.
OK...goodnight.

[spiritgumm]

Hey Chuck584,
the first thing I did was run the dvd thru DvdShrink to copy to the harddrive. With an NEC-burnt dvd with a yellow "Damaged" spot (according to Philips), the Philips stalled briefly but copied the whole thing. The NEC copied it no problem, as expected. Then I took another NEC-burnt dvd which the Philips scanned revealing both yellow and red ("Bad"). The NEC scanned it all green and read it fine, as expected. The Philips failed to read it. I tried the Nero Image recording (as you suggested) and had the same results: NEC reads it's own burnt dvds, but the Philips detects issues. I've tried 5 different brands/different codes of media, which is why I ruled out media. Also I mentioned that both dvd burners were replaced but have the same issues. While some drives will have issues with one particular media when burned on a particular brand burner, this seems to cut across media brands.
The NEC and Philips both like the Philips-burnt dvds, so it appears to me the Philips might make superior burns, but can be too sensitive when reading dvds.