I need to know why

[Goodfella_no4]

I was burning a 5.5 GB disc image to a DVD+R DL. The disc type is LG 2.4X. I have the latest firmware for my BenQ 1640, which is BSOB. The disc type was reported as unknow in QSuite, but I burned many discs with unknown types before (none was DL, though) and they all worked perfectly. The manufacturer was listed as RiDATA.

The program used was Alcohol 120%. I tried using Nero, but whenever I select this image for burning, the program then detects my BenQ as a CD-RW drive!

Writing failed at midstream, after about 16 minutes. I was given a log, which I saved and I attatched to this message (I zipped it as I can't upload a TXT file). I must say that the buffer bar was completely kept at full, there was never even a 1% decrease.

Please help me know the reason for this failure. The loss of this DL DVD is a shock to me, as they are way overpriced where I live. This disc was about $7. Moreover, it wasn't mine.

Was it the disc, the burner, the new firmware, the program, or just my luck?

[dolphinius_rex]

Ritek made DVD+RDL media is crap. It could have easily been a disc problem, and nothing to do with the drive. I've had Ritek DVD+RDL media that wouldn't even register as being DVDs when they're blank and fresh from the case!!

I suggest sticking with Verbatim DVD+RDL, or ignoring DVD+RDL media altogether if you can't get Verbatim.

[Goodfella_no4]

I want to add that I restarted my PC before burning, there was no running programs. My internet connection was disconnected. Moreover, I have 1 GB of RAM.

Please help me!

[Goodfella_no4]

Ritek made DVD+RDL media is crap. It could have easily been a disc problem, and nothing to do with the drive. I've had Ritek DVD+RDL media that wouldn't even register as being DVDs when they're blank and fresh from the case!!

I suggest sticking with Verbatim DVD+RDL, or ignoring DVD+RDL media altogether if you can't get Verbatim.

No. I can't get Verbatim at all. The only other option is Imation DVD+R DL, are they any good?

Are you sure that the disc is the problem and that there is nothing wrong with the burner? This was my first DL disc.

[dolphinius_rex]

I don't know for sure it isn't the drive, but statistics show it's more likely to be the media's fault in the case of Ritek DVD+RDL.

Imation is either going to be Ricoh (better then Ritek's own MID code), or Verbatim's MKM001, so I'd try going with Imation.

Also, what version of Nero are you using? If you are using Nero 7, please try using Nero 6... or better yet, ditch Nero altogether, and try Roxio maybe? Nero has a lot of problems with dual/double layer media, but usually at the layer break.

[[buck]]

Ritek DVD+R DL media is absolutely terrible. Ritek can't even make a consistantly good single layer DVDR and they sure can't make a consistantly usable DVD+R DL. I hear these Ritek coaster stories all the time, and 9/10 times it's the media, not the burner.

Imation is worth a try, because while Ricoh DVD+R DL isn't great, it's ok, most of the time. If you find a "made in Singapore" pack of DVD+R DL under any brand, buy it, because they'll be MKM (Verbatim)!

[Goodfella_no4]

I am using the bundled Nero 6. I downloaded updates for it from the internet. I'll try Imation discs next time, if there is any!

I'll give Roxio a go too.

Thanks everybody!

[Scour]

Imation is either going to be Ricoh (better then Ritek's own MID code), or Verbatim's MKM001, so I'd try going with Imation.

Not sure about the DL, but in SL Imation often use MBIL (but no DL) and CMC. Memorex (which belongs now to Imation) uses Ritek, so I´m not sure to recommend this media

[dodecahedron]

20:04:49 Processor info: Intel(R) Pentium(R) 4 CPU 2.40GHz (2429MHz)
20:04:49 Memory Available to Windows: 1,048,048 KB
20:04:49 Memory Buffer size: 128 MB
20:04:49 Image file loading: J:\Downloads\rld-bme2.iso
20:04:49 DVD Source Info: Session: 1, Track: 1, Length: 5.54 GB / 645:58:39
20:05:02 (H:) BENQ DVD DD DW1640(1:0): Recording Method/Speed
20:05:02 Recording - DVD DAO - 2.3X (3185 KB/Sec)
(H:) BENQ DVD DD DW1640(1:0) - Media format: DVD+R Double Layers
20:21:22 (H:) BENQ DVD DD DW1640(1:0) - [Write ERROR] LBA: 1453776, Length: 16
S:KEY - 03/0C/00 - "Write Error"
20:21:22 (H:) BENQ DVD DD DW1640(1:0): Recording failed!
20:21:22 Error message: [03/0C/00] - Write Error
20:21:22 (H:) BENQ DVD DD DW1640(1:0): Recording failed!
20:21:22 Image file loading aborted!
20:21:25 Something is wrong with the recording procedure! Please check the log file and report any errors to Technical Support.

i would say it's bad media.

[Goodfella_no4]

Thanks a lot everyone.

I will never again get DL unless I have a good brand!