RW reliability

[Scrondar]

I'm about to upgrade my ancient Plex 8432 to an LG 8481B. I've neverbeen able to get rewritable discs of any manuf. to work reliably in the Plex. Data would (usually) write, but rarely could I read/retrieve any files written. Is this technology any better now, or should I just do as I have been and packet-write? I use both Roxio & Nero.

[cfitz]

I'd say CD-RW is still less reliable than CD-R, and probably always will be. However, that doesn't mean it isn't usable. Just use it for the proper purposes such as short-term transfer of data, and not for long-term storage of data that you don't have stored anywhere else on other media.

Stay away from Memorex CD-RW, they have a well-deserved reputation for poor quality. On the other hand, the new Verbatim high-speed CD-RW media have received good feedback from a number of users.

I'm a little confused that you said you used packet writing in lieu of rewritable media. Although the two don't necessarily go hand in hand, packet writing is usually done on rewritable media. For example, InCD, as far as I know, only works with rewritable media. Were you doing packet writing on CD-R? I think DirectCD can do that.

cfitz

[Spazmogen]

I'm about to upgrade my ancient Plex 8432 to an LG 8481B. I've neverbeen able to get rewritable discs of any manuf. to work reliably in the Plex. Data would (usually) write, but rarely could I read/retrieve any files written. Is this technology any better now, or should I just do as I have been and packet-write? I use both Roxio & Nero.

Personally I use CD-RW disc a fair amount (some packet writing, most just like a cd-r). I do leave items on them for years and never had a problem, but then I try and use Ricoh & Verbatim CD-RW discs. Individual results will vary depending on make of disc & writer.

You buy your discs & you take your chances.

cfitz was correct: avoid Memorex cd-rw's at all costs !

[Scrondar]

Yes, the packet writing I do is on CD-R media, and it works fine for most of my needs. I'll take another crack at RW when I get the new drive, this time with better media.

[jase]

Honestly, I really, really can't see the point of using CDRW.

In the stores where I get my media, CDRW is typically around 5 times the price of CDR, and a lot more sometimes for the fast stuff. All this, and generally writing slower and with lower quality.

Unless you are seriously going to use that CDRW 20 times or more, they are a pointless waste of time.

[aznsound]

i use rewritables to get mp3 to my car player... i have a set of 5 that i circulate... when i update my playlist, i'll just burn that onto a cd and swap it for what's inside my car... i've had the same 5 since last October and have reburned many times... and these are the no name from CompUSA... i just bought some 24x Memorex this weekend... they're made in Taiwan so i think they're Ritek... but i'll try out how they hold up...

[MediumRare]

Honestly, I really, really can't see the point of using CDRW.

In the stores where I get my media, CDRW is typically around 5 times the price of CDR, and a lot more sometimes for the fast stuff. All this, and generally writing slower and with lower quality.

Unless you are seriously going to use that CDRW 20 times or more, they are a pointless waste of time.

I think you're being a bit harsh. I use CDRWs for test burns when I'm trying things out and as a sort of "big floppy" for data transfer (no packet writing). All my RWS are still OK, although I tend to avoid the 4x disks I bought for my old drive (kinda slow ).

On the other hand, you're right about the price and speed difference- RWs will never be mainstream all-purpose media until this changes.

There is another problem that I have to mention (despite my RW-advocacy), namely the 3 (or is it 4) generations of media with limited compatibility:

Code: Select all

        1-4x, (1x)
        4-10 or 12x (high speed)
        16-24x (ultraspeed)

My LiteOn 48246S burns the only UltraSpeeds I've tried (Verbatim) at 10x, which is below spec, as well as at 16x and 24x and unsuccessfully tries to burn the Intenso/NanYas at 16x (they are excellent at the rated 12x- see here).

An Artec WSM-YF52 (48/16/50) to which I have access at work doesn't recognize the Verbatims and wants to use 4x. It seems to do OK with the Intensos at 12x (haven't done much). I think the 16x RW on this drive is marketing hype- has anyone been able to use it? There is no new firmware for this drive either. Jase - you're an Artec user: is this typical? It sure differs from LiteOn's frequent updates.

The upshoot is: if you use several drives, you may be stuck with 4x as the lowest common denominator.

G

[Scrondar]

Well, while CD-R is seems a more reliable medium, I dislike using them like a big floppy that fills up and then tossing them once full (assuming the data is no longer needed; I save my old ones now, hoping to find a planet-friendly resource). I shudder to think how many CDs end up in landfill these days. Talk about non-biodegradable. Anyhoo, for my needs, RW would work much better, but data integrity is a must.

[Spazmogen]

Verbatim DataLifePlus.