Media Compatibility With CD-RW Drives - Which Media Is Best?

[TheWizard]

Finally, some Optorite results! Although there are only two so far, hopefully more will be submitted.

[Spazmogen]

Lite On LTR 52246S with 'new' 6S07 Firmware.

Verbatim, 24x CD-RW

100% Excellent. 0 errors in a 651mb test.

Here's the ATIP:
Verbatim 16x-24x Ultra-Speed CD-RW 650mb
ATIP: 97m 34s 24f
Disc Manufacturer: Mitsubishi Chemicals Corp.
Reflective layer: Phase change
Media type: CD-ReWritable
Recording Speeds: min. unknown - max. unknown
nominal Capacity: 656.40MB (74m 43s 00f / LBA: 336075)
SMART-BURN Speed Limit = 24X

Tested @ 24x and error free!



Here's the actual smart Burn info:

This Disc is designed for CD-RW/COMBO Drive Only.
Disc Type, Material = HSCD-RW, Phase Change
ATIP Lead-in = 97m 34s 24f
Norminal Capacity = 656.40MB (74m 43s 00f)
Disc Manufacturer maybe = Unknown
SMART-BURN Speed Limit = 24X

Next up:
Jensen 700mb 10x CD-RW's
Ritek 99 Minute CD-R's (40x Rated).

[TheWizard]

I can't wait. Thanks.

[Spazmogen]

Lite On LTR 52246S with 'new' 6S07 Firmware.

Jensen 700mb CD-RW 10x rated. Bought at Circuit City.

Burned @ 12x. 100 Error Free! Expensive at $6.99/5 pack, but great quality!

ATIP:
Jensen 700mb 10x CD-RW
ATIP: 97m 10s 00f
Disc Manufacturer: Unknown Disc Identification Code
Reflective layer: Phase change
Media type: CD-ReWritable
Recording Speeds: min. 4X - max. 8X
nominal Capacity: 702.83MB (79m 59s 74f / LBA: 359849)

From Smart Burn:
This Disc is designed for CD-RW/COMBO Drive Only.
Disc Type, Material = HSCD-RW, Phase Change
ATIP Lead-in = 97m 10s 00f
Norminal Capacity = 702.83MB (79m 59s 74f)
Disc Manufacturer maybe = TDK,RiTEK,CompUSA
SMART-BURN Speed Limit = 12X

If you're looking for a 700mb CD-RW 4x-12x I highly recommend these!

[TheWizard]

I actually pondered buying some of those Jensen discs, now I have even more reason to. Thanks for the results, Spazmogen.

[Spazmogen]

Lite On LTR 52246S with 'new' 6S07 Firmware.

Ritek 99 Minute Cd-R's From www.yesbuy.net rated at 40x

Disc Playing Time: 98:50

Failed at 48x (audio)

Successful @ 8x (audio). 100% error free!

I'll try a few more with higher speeds, but 99 minute discs are touchy on the outer edge of the disc. The slightest error will cause a failure. At nearly $1 CDN a disc, I'm not going to test too many. I have recommended in the past at writing at 4x or LOWER. This run was at 8x and error free!

99 Minute Spindle (100 pack) from Yesbuy.net rated at 40x
ATIP: 96m 43s 37f
Disc Manufacturer: Unknown Disc Identification Code
Reflective layer: Dye (Short strategy; e.g. Phthalocyanine)
Media type: CD-Recordable
Recording Speeds: min. unknown - max. unknown
nominal Capacity: 702.83MB (79m 59s 74f / LBA: 359849)

From Smart Burn:
This Disc is designed for CD-RW/COMBO Drive Only.
Disc Type, Material = CD-R, Phthalocyanine
ATIP Lead-in = 96m 43s 37f
Norminal Capacity = 702.83MB (79m 59s 74f)
Disc Manufacturer maybe = RiTEK (90min)
SMART-BURN Speed Limit = 48X

See my WWW link for more on burning an audio disc in the 99 minute range.


*** update 19 Dec 2002 ***

I tried this same disc @ 32x & 24x. Both failed.

32x had a buffer run dry on me.
24x seemed fine, but the 1st song had a glitch.

Slower seems to be better with 99 minute discs.

16x Is the fastest I can burn a full 99 minute disc error free.

[-A-]

Thank you a lot for this table. My Lite On 48125W was writing with errors in my Sony 32x discs when burned at 32x, I burned them at 16x as suggested and now 0 % errors!. It was so good looking at all those green blocks in Nero CD-Speed... I thought my drive was faulty. Good work!. I will however only buy Verbatims from now on, perhaps I have to write them slower than other disks, but looks like this media is the best in quality and durability. Besides, I have always liked this media.

[TheWizard]

You're welcome. Don't thank just me, though, thank everyone who has contributed to the list. All I did was compile the list, and personally, I only added a small amount of results compared to everyone else.

[glock20rocks]

Are you guys using CDSpeed's Scandisk or the Quality Check for the discs?
I've seen scans in Scandisk comeback perfect (100% green) but show tons of errors under the QualityCheck...

Anyway:
Drive: Lite-On 48125W, VS08 firmware
Disc: TDK 16x Labeled. CMC manufactured
SmartBurn Limit: 48x
Results (w/Quality Check):
32x - 0 Errors
48x - Unreadable spots at end
40x - Some damaged areas

I was surprised considering the pack of 40x rated PNY/CMC discs wouldn't burn at 8x w/o unreadable sectors on the disc. They'd burn at 24-40x w/o unreadable spots, but with tons of damaged areas. These seem to be alot better than the PNY/CMC discs, and almost as good as the TY Fuji 24x discs.

[cfitz]

I use both, although the criterion for inclusion here is an all green Scandisk test. Like you, I have from time to time found errors using Quality Check even when Scandisk shows up all green. However, in my experiences it wasn't tons of errors, just some errors (maybe 100 maximum).

cfitz

[glock20rocks]

Ok, thanks! Those TDK discs don't overburn very well; tried 704MG (@8x), and got some errors at the end of the disc. Not unreadable, though...

[glock20rocks]

Anyone else have poor results from the FujiFilm/TY 48x rated discs? They seem alot poorer quality than the 24x/40x discs. On my system, they'll burn at 40x, but show some damaged sectors. 48x is out of the question.

[aviationwiz]

Verbatim 48x12x50 (Aopen) 1.04 firmware:


Memorex 40x TY 24x limited speed
Fuji 40x/48x TY 48x
Phillips 40x CMC 48x

[glock20rocks]

Drive: Lite-On 48125W, VS08 Firmware
Discs: Teon 24x CD-R For Audio* (CMC)
SmartBurn Limit: 40x
Max Error-Free Burn Speed: 32x


*=Burns data CDs no problem
These discs ID as being the same as the TDK 16x CMC's. After such bad luck with the new PNY/CMC 40x discs, I'm (pleasently) surprised by these quite old CD-Rs. Those TDKs were bought when the TDK 16x drive was brand new!

Tommorow I will test the TDK 48x rated CD-R's, which I believe are CMC (?)...with luck they'll burn error free at 48x (crosses fingers and toes)

EDIT:***
TDK 48x CD-R, 80min, CMC, Smartburn Limit: 48x
Results: 48x: 50% of disc damaged
40x: Large sections unreadable
32x: Same as 40x
24x: 2-5 blocks damaged.

Conculsion: TDK 48x discs are target practice, much worse quality than the 16x rated ones. Have thrown out the Lite-On burner, reinstalled my (very) old TDK 16x drive, have ordered a Plextor 48x24x48. One bad disc from it and it's gonna be used for target practice. I am so sick of having a "48x" burner that can only burn discs at 40x/32x; I have spent way to much $ on discs trying to find ones that work.
**end of edit

Oh, for those that are curious the Teon discs are from Wal-Mart. They had 25 packs on sale for $4.99 I think...been (quite) awhile though.

[TheWizard]

Thanks aviationwiz and glock20rocks.

glock20rocks: What is the maximum successful burn speed without errors for the TDK 48X discs? You said 24X had 2-5 damaged sectors, so perhaps 16X would be error free.

[Spazmogen]

Are you guys using CD Speed's Scandisk or the Quality Check for the discs?
I've seen scans in Scandisk comeback perfect (100% green) but show tons of errors under the QualityCheck...

I use both CD Speed & Quality Check. Lately, I've been spending more time messing with WSES to really check the errors at the C1 level.

I think Quality Check is probably more sensitive than CD Speed. WSES is probably the best of the bunch and more difficult to use too.

[TheWizard]

I am so sick of having a "48x" burner that can only burn discs at 40x/32x; I have spent way to much $ on discs trying to find ones that work.

The media compatability list is there for many reasons, one: so you can find media that will burn at your drive's maximum speed. Although there isn't much media that will burn successfully at 48X in the Lite-On LTR-48125W, there are a few. Take a look at the list again and try to nab some of the media that will burn at 48X.

[aviationwiz]

I am so sick of having a "48x" burner that can only burn discs at 40x/32x; I have spent way to much $ on discs trying to find ones that work.

Might I suggest any Fuji disks rated at 40x or 48x. Those burn at 48x from my own experiences. Maybe Phillips 40x. They all write at 48x.

[glock20rocks]

Tried and failed at 48x: Fuji/TY 48x, Memorex/TY 48x, TDK 48x, PNY 40x, Fuji/TY 24x/40x, Memorex/TY 40x.

I haven't tried the Maxells yet, and I'm not sure I want to even bother with any CMC discs anymore. The best ones of those I've tried so far are the old TDK 16x rated discs (which burn at 32x).

I'll just nab a Plextor. I want the 24x RW, and the better media compatiablity is a nice bonus. Nothing against the Lite-On really; it's just a bit picky. I like the compatiablity of the 52x burner, but I'm not 100% sure I trust anything over 48x. Maybe a TDK 52x24x48x, though...of course, I should just skip the CD-RW and get a DRU-500A

[cfitz]

Maybe a TDK 52x24x48x, though...

Remember, that is a LiteOn too.

of course, I should just skip the CD-RW and get a DRU-500A

Yes, but I'm hoping to see an explosion of advancements in DVD drvies before making a purchase, just like we saw with CD-RW drives.

cfitz

[ahimahim]

80 min traxdata no errors, even if overburn 32x ofcourse

Had many cd-rw units, ricoh is one of the best

[TheWizard]

Nice, more Ricoh results! Thanks ahimahim! If you have more results, please send them!

A couple questions: do you know the firmware for your Ricoh MP7320A? And what was the rated speed of the TraxData discs (32X, 40X, or 48X)?

[ahimahim]

traxdata 80min 40x, tried many different brands, but didnt write the results, I only know that smartbuy was bad 24x (the cd 48x) and had 117 errors. And I would like to see more ricoh resluts too. Why are ricoh cd-rw drives so rare??

[-A-]

I just exchanged my Lite On LTR-48125W for a Lite On LTR-52246S (firmware 6S02) recorder. So I wanted to make my contribuion and did some testing. I burned a 697 Mbyte Movie (including archives with spanish subtitles) first at 16x then at 24x (Track at Once). I then checked with Nero CD Speed (version 1.02)-> Scandisk-> Surface Scan. I got only green blocks, except for the last one that was red (this is known to happen in Nero Cd Speed, but the disk is still ok).

I used Sony 32x media (CDQ80L1)
Smartburn info:
This Disc is designed for CD-RW/COMBO Drive Only.
Disc Type, Material = CD-R, Cyanine
ATIP Lead-in = 97m 24s 12f
Norminal Capacity = 702.83MB (79m 59s 74f)
Disc Manufacturer maybe = LeadData,SONY
SMART-BURN Speed Limit = 32X

In resume, I burned a Sony 32x disk at 24x in my new LTR-52246S (6S02) recorder and gave me a no errors recorded disk.
Hope this helps.

[TheWizard]

Thanks -A-, if you have more results, send away.

ahimahim: Good question, I don't know why Ricoh drives are more popular. I do know that a lot of other major CD-RW drive makers use Ricoh technology, for example, some LG drives. Maybe Ricoh is making enough in royalties that they don't have to make their own drives anymore.