Double Layer DVD

[X-ray]

I just got a new NEC DVD rewriter down at the computer fair for £50. It does all the formats except DVD-RAM and also does dual layer writing.

My question: any recommendations on good brands of 8gb blank DVDs? And what software is best? I am currently using Easy CD and DVD creator V6 and it writes data DVDs okay, haven't tried movies just MP3s and pix. I am using standard 4gb disks because I want to find out from you people before I buy expensive dual layer disks.

[X-ray]

Thanks Etho

Let me know if you burn a DL before I do...

[X-ray]

Okay, I got 2 DL DVD writables today, they were £5 each. I have an NEC DL drive and I just changed from Easy CD Creator 6 to Nero 6 (full version). That was the cheapest option, £60 for a serial number download version.

Here's my problem: the disk comes up as being 8.5gb in Nero, and I get the right size estimate prior to burning (I'm trying 8gb of data files, nothing fancy).
But...I can't burn DL. I get 'no seek complete'. This happened with a Traxdata and a Ridata disk.

I intend to contact Ahead/Nero on Monday about this, but if anyone has a tip for me now I can try it over the weekend. I am hoping this is a media problem rather than a drive/software problem, but I thought that at least the Traxdata would work. Fortunately they are not yet 'coasters'


@ Etho: have you burned an DLs yet? :-?

[X-ray]

@ Etho

Thanks for the feedback. My NEC is running on 2.16 firmware and the Nero I downloaded off Ahead's site today  (version 6.3.1.20).
An interesting thing is that when the burn process was just about to start, it was at 2.4 speed on both discs.

I'll go back and see if I can force it to 1 x.

[X-ray]

Update: doesn't work at any speed, any book type, still says 'no seek complete'

Edit: @ Etho: what disc did you use (manufacturer)?

[X-ray]

@ Etho and MM:

Problem solved!!

The latest NEC firmware is 2.16 (I have an NEC ND-2510A) and my drive came with version 2.15. So I had originally updated with NEC's 2.16 and I still couldn't burn the Traxdata or Ridata.

I saw your link to Herrie, but his version was listed as NEC v2.16 so I initially didn't try it, thinking it was the same.

Took a big chance and flashed it anyway...problem solved!
I just burned a DL disk (8,2gb at 2.4 speed). So I'm a happy bunny for now.

I think NEC's original 2.16 would have written the Verbatim, but not the Traxdata or Ridata (I understand they are similar or practically the same).

So, there we go. Thanks to Herrie and his "patched" NEC firmware. And thanks to YOU for pointing me in that direction      :-)

[X-ray]

@ Etho: according to the reviews I've read, your drive and mine are physically the same, only the firmware (as shipped) is different.

So if you have flashed Herrie's V2.16 (patched) then you should also be burning dual-layer discs at 2.4x.
I presume that Verbatim you used is not limited to 1x ?

Edit: oh, I suddenly realised...you wrote video and I wrote data..that must be the reason

[X-ray]

@ Etho: let me know how long it takes to burn an 8gb data disc (if you do one)

[X-ray]

@ Brian

Check this thread:

http://club.cdfreaks.com/lite/t-103392.html

The BenQ 800a apparently is a clone of your drive. Firmware for that may work on your Philips.

http://dvdpro.club.st/firmware/BENQ_FW.htm