DVD 8x Burning - Question about high speed discs

[Friction]

Hi all, another PC related Q from me!

First of all sorry if this is a bit vague, but that's why I am asking here because I'm not to sure about it!

Right today I got a new DVD burner for my PC (A Pioneer DVR-A07XLB - very nice it is too ) which is capable of burning DVD +R & -R at 8x.

Included in the box was one of these new high speed 1-8x discs. (JVC branded) However there is a warning on the back which I find a little confusing:

CAUTION: New 8x speed. single sided 4.7gb (120min.) capacity DVD-R disc. Attempting to use this disc with certain DVD-R/DVD-RW drives or recorders that do not conform to 1-8x speed DVD-R discs may cause permanent damage to the DRIVE/RECORDER and to the disc

You may need the newest firmware for your DRIVE/RECORDER to avoid a problem.

To verify the support information, please contact the manufacture of your DRIVE/RECORDER, or check the following website,http://www.dvdhs.com

Now the bit I find confusing:

- I understand that the disc will not burn at 8x in any recorder that isn't rated to do so.

- Unless I am missing something (which is highly likely) to me it gives the impression that the disc cannot be used in any other drive, even after being used and burnt on, that isn't rated to take 8x discs?!

Surely once it has been burnt and has data etc on it it will read in any DVD drive going right?

I had a look at the website the disc mentioned but that again didn't give any clear info - it linked to the Pioneer website which took me here http://www.pioneer-eur.com/eur/suppo...support/update This site gives the impression that it is just DVD burners that need anything done to them (Firmware update) not bog standard readers.

Anyone have any thoughts or ideas on this one? Obviously being able to burn at 8x is great but only being able to use that disc in a few machines is surely pointless?!

Any help/advice as always most appreciated!

Cheers

Dave

[Taka]

Majority of the latest DVD players and DVD ROM drives should be able to read the disc once its been burnt to. I myself have a 4x burner (external) but my laptop's DVD ROM/CD-RW will only read -R discs burnt at 1x. The firmware update mentioned seems to only apply to older 1x and 2x burners, my 4x burner will quite happily accept 8x DVD Rs but of course will only burn them at 4x. Hope this helps.

[Friction]

Thanks for the info.

I was hoping it would be something like that, as it doesn't matter what speed the disc can be burnt at, once it has been it's a regular disc just like any other right?

Having reread the information on the Pioneer website it gives the impression that the problem does indeed occur with older DVD burners in their range - not the newer one that I have (though I did upgrade the firmware anyway) and there wasn't really any mention of problems occurring with standard DVD Rom drives.

Very confusing!

Cheers

Dave

[$c8t@]

i think its a general warning to people with 4 X burners using "hacked Firmware" that allow higher burning speeds than drives were actually manufactured for...basically these drives are spinning alot higher than recommended after the "mod" and accidents can happen lol... if youve ever burnt an ancient 1x cd-r at 8x for example, they dont last long

$c8t@

[randombs]

i just got an 8x nec writer (2500, replacing my old 4x 1300a) and the discs i use with it (proper grade a ritek 8x media) can be burnt at 8x, 6x, 4x and 2x (i'm assuming 1x too but i never click the nero speed select drop-down to check!)

i've burnt the discs at all the speeds i've mentioned and i've had no probs. heck, my v5 ps2 (2 years old) reads stuff burnt at 8x, as does my dvd player (and, naturally, the xbox)

as for you jvc disc, the fact that they've said it burns at 1-8x means exactly that. i'd agree with $c8t@ about hacked firmware (i used to use it on my old 1300 to burn those crappy bulkpaq's at 4x, then i started using riteks and put the official firmware back on after learning my lesson )

[Friction]

Thanks for all the info.

I was suspecting that was the case but I didn't want to risk causing any harm to my stuff!

Another issue I have run into though is that if I burn stuff at 4x on my burner (using TDK discs - rated 1-4x times) they dont seem to work properly in my standard DVD drive (A Pioneer 120s).

The disc contents will show, but when I try to play some of my burnt movie files, or copy them off onto my system I get error messages? Strange this is they work perfectly in my burner and also in my brother's DVD burner!

I have burnt the same stuff at 2.4x and they work perfectly in both drives?!

Is this likely to be a problem with my drive, my media or something else?

Cheers

Dave