Topic: problems with DVD blanks

[Melanie]

After burning discs sucessfully for a few years using blank DVD +r and -r discs from cosco (Sony single layer) I find that the packaging has changed and the discs are no longer recordable on my stand alone hard drive/DVD burner (Panasonic DMR-EH65). I tried a Teac double layer blank and it worked fine. When I get to town I'll try some teac single layers. I had this same problem with Sony CDR blanks from Cosco, last year I went crazy trying to figure why the previous blanks worked and the next batch of Sonys would'nt.Switced to TEAC and solved issue. ALso anyone know why I can't clone double layer DVDs in my computer.We have two DVD burners in computer. It won't  recognize blank discs, even recorded ones that play on a standard DVD player aren't read. Thanks for any input.  Bob and Melanie.

[mtownshend]

I had similar problems with an HP lite scribe burner I got back when it was a new technology.  It seems that I needed to upgrade the hardware.  This was done by basically "flashing" the burner the same as you would your mobo.  The manufacturers homepage should have all that info for you if you visit their support page. 

This was not an isolated, one time problem either. I put that burner out to pasture for a few months and after 4 to 6 months, I re-installed it on a PC.  I put a new lit-scribe DVD blank in the burner and it reported errors that I resolved by updating all the software I could on the support page...I gave up on that burner ultimately, It's collecting dust somewhere right now.

I think the point being that these burners, the ones sold at the start of a new technology (lite-scribe, DVD-DL) went obsolete.  So, I would recommend that you take a look at any new software you might be able to find on the manufacturers support pages. If it is new, you will want it.

I am wondering if your drives are DVD-DL compatible, you can find that on the same support pages, under the drives specs...If it supports DVD-DL, then you may benefit from the software upgrades...  As with the lite-scribe burner, I have a stack of disks that are not compatible with the burner, at this time, I have not tried to update the hardware again though...

Good luck

[Melanie]

I found a blank SONY DVD from the previous batch bought at Cosco  from like 6 to 12 months ago and it burned and played just fine including on another playback deck(JVC). My question remains; has anyone else seen these discrepencies in major brand cdr or dvds? The + or - on DVDS does not seem to matter, the newer cdrs and DVDS by SONY are not recognized by previously O.K. machines. Anyone with problems with cdrs or dvds by major companies please respond. I know a site posted quality ratings but their info says sony discs are made in Taiwan, but this batch says Malaysia! Thanks,  Bob and Melanie