Best combination of burning app and media

[etlprws]

I have tried to do the research both here and on other sites but I am really struggling to narrow down the options of best burning application and DVD-R media. I'm using a Pioneer A-04 to write.

So far I have only used Nero (5.5.9.9) to burn.

Media wise I have tried:
BulkPaq Gen. 3 (r2)
BulkPaq Gen. Purpose
White Label Gold 2x
White Label (blue ones)
DataSafe RWs
DataSafe 2x (can't remember exactly what as it's land fill now!)

Anyway....I have yet to back up a DVD that will play reliably on more than one standalone player. I can get some that work on my cheapie (Acoustic Solutions) and some that work on my Pioneer DV-55. I have yet to get one that plays all the way through on both. None have worked on my friends Panasonic and Sony machines. Generally they 'hang' after around 30 minutes.

I'm pretty sure I get the rip right now, so it's either Nero or the media.

Before I invest in my next batch of coasters can anyone give me a combination that is really reliable (ideally with media under £2.50 or $3.50)

Please help - I am fed up with my wife laughing at me for spending all night at the PC just to make another coaster!!!

[ejai]

I've tried many different brands of DVD-R disks and found only one that has been reliable for my DVD creations, and that is TDK. It plays fine on all players that I have experimented with.

You get what you pay for.

Ejai

[Thorn]

I just got a new pioneer set-top and it looks like it does not play anything burned by nero. The same files burned through dvdit (not necessarily authored by it) work just fine. The nero-burned discs played just fine in my old apex, so it looks like nero is just a little off spec and some players don't like it.

[bskousen]

Accu media from cdrdvdrmedia.com has been VERY reliable and has worked in every machine I have tested the media in. I have had no coasters except for errors caused by ME. Plus, I get them for $.99 in bulk (50). I have a Pioneer 104 and a Panasonic DMR-E30. They work with both burners. I have recorded clear to the edge (with less than 8 megs free) and have never had a problem. Plus they have FREE shipping.

[etlprws]

Thanks Guys (or Girls)

TDK seems to appear a lot as a reliable media. Nero gets slated a lot (for DVD-R).

I'll get some TDKs and Accu and I'll also try to find another burning app.

BSKOUSEN - what app do you burn with?

Any thoughs on whether it needs to be branded TDK? I know that some of these manufacturers sell the same media under different names. Do they sell different quality madia under different brand names?

Bit of an 'off-the-wall' question - would putting labels on the disks make any difference? I've been putting HP CD labels on my disks.

[Revilo]

Most likely your problem is your burning software not your discs. Try using Prassi 2.0 or Recordnow max, they have worked the best for me.