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Official DVD-R 4x media thread

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Z80

Senior member
Jan 29, 2001
583
0
0
I've tried 5 different 4X media types on my Cendyne/Pioneer DVR-105 burner. I've had the best luck with the Ritek 4X for quality (no coasters) and compatibility (plays on all my DVD players). I'm working on my second Ritek 100 pack. I've had the worst luck with Princo (1 out of 10 are coasters) and less compatibility (probably due to the quality). Although, I might give BeALL a try since it's getting good ratings at DVDRHELP.COM.
 

cruzer

Senior member
Dec 30, 2001
482
0
0
I have the Cendyne A-05(pioneer 105 clone) and can comment about BeAll media. I bought the retail version in a branded spindle. They burn great at 1X, so I tried the cracked firmware to burn them at 2X. Seemed to work but all the movies would be choppy and pixelated in the last 15 minutes or so. So I went back to 1X.

As far as quality, they have no label on top, which I would prefer in order to write titles on neatly. Also, there are a few air bubbles visible in the center of the discs near the beginning edge of the dye (but not in the dye itself). I think over time those air pockets will expand and contract with temperature change(they can get quite hot in a DVD player). That can't be good in the long run.

 

Byte

Platinum Member
Mar 8, 2000
2,877
6
81
Rimas 4X Ritek came down a bit, making it the cheapest place to get them. Also they have pretty decent 2nd day air shipping (i live in hawaii :p). I've been using Riteks for a while and have gone through 50 without a single coaster on my Pioneer A05. I mostly use them for backing up DiVX and PS2 and put labels on them. I haven't really tried "True" DVD copies so i can't comment on that and if the labels destablizes them. I'm currently in search for some cheap DVD-RW. I've tried some Optodisc but a few got corrupted, a few dont burn right, and none seem to want to play on settop i have. Like most people say, stay away from Optodisc.
 

Spac3d

Banned
Jul 3, 2001
6,651
1
0
I know this is the DVD-r 4x media thread... but the prices are pretty high for a college student.

Are these any good for $64 shipped? I can deal with the extra time for half the price.
 

MIDIman

Diamond Member
Jan 14, 2000
3,594
0
0
Are these any good for $64 shipped? I can deal with the extra time for half the price.

They're made by Sky.

Check out the CompUSA deal - 50pack Fuji 2.4x for $60 AR - though I'm still trying to figure out if they're TY's, Ricoh's, or Ritek's. Some have reported Ritek G03's. The packaging at my local CompUSA says Made in Taiwan...
 

BuckNaked

Diamond Member
Oct 9, 1999
4,211
0
76
Originally posted by: MIDIman
Are these any good for $64 shipped? I can deal with the extra time for half the price.

They're made by Sky.

Check out the CompUSA deal - 50pack Fuji 2.4x for $60 AR - though I'm still trying to figure out if they're TY's, Ricoh's, or Ritek's. Some have reported Ritek G03's. The packaging at my local CompUSA says Made in Taiwan...

I got some these Fuji -R's earlier this week.... The spindle says Made in Taiwan and are reported as Ritek G03's........

Dave

 

sethk

Member
Mar 26, 2003
40
0
0
THe compusa -R Fujis are Ritek G03s, but at this price still a good deal, name brand, returnable to store and very good overall compatibility - I doubt you'll have problems with them.
The +R Fujis at Compusa are Ricohjpnr00 and are also very good. They also say made in taiwan but are defintely Ricohs.
Hope that helps.
 

Spac3d

Banned
Jul 3, 2001
6,651
1
0
Originally posted by: MIDIman
Are these any good for $64 shipped? I can deal with the extra time for half the price.

They're made by Sky.

Check out the CompUSA deal - 50pack Fuji 2.4x for $60 AR - though I'm still trying to figure out if they're TY's, Ricoh's, or Ritek's. Some have reported Ritek G03's. The packaging at my local CompUSA says Made in Taiwan...
Is it a good or bad thing that they are made by Sky?:confused:

They are still half of the price of the Fuji that are available at CompUSA ... :confused:

Can anyone tell me one way or another to purchase or avoid them, thanks :)
 

GermyBoy

Banned
Jun 5, 2001
3,524
0
0
Originally posted by: Spac3d
Originally posted by: MIDIman
Are these any good for $64 shipped? I can deal with the extra time for half the price.
They're made by Sky. Check out the CompUSA deal - 50pack Fuji 2.4x for $60 AR - though I'm still trying to figure out if they're TY's, Ricoh's, or Ritek's. Some have reported Ritek G03's. The packaging at my local CompUSA says Made in Taiwan...
Is it a good or bad thing that they are made by Sky?:confused: They are still half of the price of the Fuji that are available at CompUSA ... :confused: Can anyone tell me one way or another to purchase or avoid them, thanks :)

I also wish to know, having my optorite dd203 burner coming in today. Didn't say for compatibility on the website, so I will wait and see a reply.
 

brtspears2

Diamond Member
Nov 16, 2000
8,659
1
81
I just picked up a spindle of 4x dvd-r 25pk at pcclub.com (but I got it at the b&m) for 29.99+tax. They are ritek G04's.

From dvdinfo:

Media code/Manufacturer ID RITEKG04
 

MIDIman

Diamond Member
Jan 14, 2000
3,594
0
0
supermediastore has a labor day weekend 5% off everything in the store, without any minimum purchase.
 

Smackattack

Member
Jun 10, 2000
184
0
0
I picked up a TDK indi 440 +- drive based on some reviews, and i must say i an totally unhappy. This thing wouldnt even burn anything with nero 5.5 or 6. Had to use the vile roxio software included. Then, I only burned 1 of the 2 included tdk discs right at that. I finally bitched to tech support, and they had a new firmware, not even posted on their site.
So far, here are my results
Memorex 2x -r - burns but will only read in burner, not in my other dvd drive
memorex 4x +r burns fine, reads in dvd drive
Ritek 4x burns and reads
DVDPRO 1X4x -r roxio wont even detect it and give me a speed to burn at
Optodisc 4x -r roxio wont even detect it and give me a speed to burn at
Mediapro 4x -r roxio wont even detect it and give me a speed to burn at
Piodata 4x -r roxio wont even detect it and give me a speed to burn at


Avoid this drive like the plague.
 

GermyBoy

Banned
Jun 5, 2001
3,524
0
0
Originally posted by: Smackattack
I picked up a TDK indi 440 +- drive based on some reviews, and i must say i an totally unhappy. This thing wouldnt even burn anything with nero 5.5 or 6. Had to use the vile roxio software included. Then, I only burned 1 of the 2 included tdk discs right at that. I finally bitched to tech support, and they had a new firmware, not even posted on their site. So far, here are my results Memorex 2x -r - burns but will only read in burner, not in my other dvd drive memorex 4x +r burns fine, reads in dvd drive Ritek 4x burns and reads DVDPRO 1X4x -r roxio wont even detect it and give me a speed to burn at Optodisc 4x -r roxio wont even detect it and give me a speed to burn at Mediapro 4x -r roxio wont even detect it and give me a speed to burn at Piodata 4x -r roxio wont even detect it and give me a speed to burn at Avoid this drive like the plague.

I bought that drive from CC for the 2 week "trial" period they allow. I thought it worked pretty well for me. I used Nero 5.5.7.8 and the new Nero 6 with it.

Maybe you got a lemon...
 

MIDIman

Diamond Member
Jan 14, 2000
3,594
0
0
shop4tech has ritek 4x media for only $1.35/each for a 50pack! Shipped free.

Saw a similar item on meritline for about $1.37/each after shipping, labelled "not available until End of September" - is this for real?

Will try and update the page soon.
 

bebrewer1

Member
Apr 25, 2003
80
0
61
Best Buy had the TY 4X Fuji branded media on sale in the 10 pack for $19.99 after rebate a few weeks back. Definitely a good deal for local pickup :)
 

cmetz

Platinum Member
Nov 13, 2001
2,296
0
0
bebrewer1, I bought some of the T-Y Fujis @ BB, but they were the 1x version. Now my BB doesn't carry any T-Y Fujis at all, it's all Made in Taiwan (Ritek).
 

Mday

Lifer
Oct 14, 1999
18,647
1
81
Originally posted by: bebrewer1
Best Buy had the TY 4X Fuji branded media on sale in the 10 pack for $19.99 after rebate a few weeks back. Definitely a good deal for local pickup :)

arent the fuji discs made by ricoh?
 

hirschma

Member
Mar 3, 2000
143
0
76
I'm sure that a lot of folks will throw bottles at this suggestion, but it works for me.

I get Princo 4x media at Rima. Current price is $87/100 for the whitetops, and it works perfectly in my unmodified Pioneer A05 - I've burned over 100 discs with only two coasters. Both of those were likely "operator error", too.

My $.02.

jonathan
 

bebrewer1

Member
Apr 25, 2003
80
0
61
Best Buy has all Fuji DVD-R/+R media on sale for 40% off this week (combined instant and mail-in rebates). The 10 pack of DVD-Rs are usually 4X TY which is a great deal. The 25/50 spindles should be Ritek G03, officially 1X, 2X most of the time.