Burner goes from 2x to 1x in the middle of recording?!

[Phoenix '97]

I was recording a data image today (~4470MB), at 2x on 2x Princo media, with my Toshiba SD-R5002 DVD-R(W) drive, and strangely enough, the entire process took 53 minutes. Too slow for 2x, too fast for 1x. What happened? I pulled the disc out and examined the recorded side. Towards the centre was a brighter coloured ring, and towards the outside of the disc was a much larger, darker coloured ring. It looks like the drive switched from 2x to 1x during recording! But why? Doesn't it like my C- grade Princo media?

[aviationwiz]

Must probably the media. Princo never has been known for quality. Might I recomend Fuji DVD-R (TY I believe) or Verbatim (Mitsubishi Chemicals) media or Ritek which can be found online from:
http://www.yes-buy.net
http://www.allmediaoutlet.com

[Phoenix '97]

This is kind of odd... the first 2x disc I used in the drive recorded at 2x all the way from start to finish... however, with the next two 2x discs, it went from 2x to 1x at approximately the same spot on the disc. I don't seem to have any problems reading them back though... My new Lite-On 166S with the latest firmware can read pretty much any of the cheap DVD-R discs I put in it.
It might be bad media, but I'm reluctant to order any online though. I live in Canada and shipping might cost quite a bit. I can get 25 Optodisc 1X discs for $45 Cdn. at a local store... is Optodisc better than Princo? This price is comparable to the 1X Princo media another retailer offers.

[seaegg]

Hey Phoenix, I live in Winnipeg and recently bought 100 Samsung BeAll DVD-Rs from Rima.com for $125 US which came to $250 Cad including shipping & Customs duties. I found that to be a good deal and have burnt 40 so far without any problems. ACtually I just checked their website and they're going for $125 US for a 100 spindle. When mine run out I'll definitely be getting another spindle from them. I should add their customer service is excellent.

[Phoenix '97]

Hey, thanks for the suggestion! I see they have quite a selection of DVD-R media, I'll have a look at them next time my current stock of DVDs run out.

[jase]

Princo 2x media is a special case. Run ADVDINFO on the discs and you'll find that the lead-in is TDKG02 -- in other words "fake TDK". Princo have used TDK's lead-in to get round the "problem" of paying royalties to Pioneer.....

Many drives have problems with this specific type of media. Some will refuse to write them, others have a hard time. Make no mistake, the dye on those discs is 1x. Therein lies the problem. They do work at 2x, but you need the writer to run slightly out of spec. The Tosh is trying 2x then realising the disc is no good and swapping down to 1x.

Ironically I've found that the 1x Princo media works better at 2x than the 2x does!!!

[Phoenix '97]

Ah, no wonder I've found the dye on the discs (both 1x and 2x) to be pretty much the same colour (deep pink unrecorded, light pink recorded, when held up to an incandescent light bulb). Is the Princo 4x a bluish colour?

You say you can record Princo 1x media at 2x? What recorder do you use?

[jase]

Pioneer A04 and A05 with the 2xforall firmwares.