16x vs. 8x blank media

[sleddog218]

I have an 8x burner, which I run at 4x to burn DVD's. I'm seeing a great deal on Verbatim blank DVD's, but they are 16x. Does that make any real difference, if I'm running at 4x?
TIA!
Sled

[setarip_old]

You may find that, if it's available for your specific burner, you have to download and install a firmware update in order to successfully burn some (if not all) 16X speed rated media.

On the other hand, if you read the packaging carefully, many such media are speed rated as "1X-16X" (1X to 16X) and can be burned without problems...

[mitsubishi]

If you drive is old enough for the manufacturer to no longer be offering firmware updates it will probably only allow you to burn at 4x anyway for new media codes which it has no writing strategy.

[setarip_old]

@mitsubishi

it will probably only allow you to burn at 4x anyway for new media codes which it has no writing strategy.And using a "general" write strategy on such media can (and often does) result in failed burns.

Also, some 16X media appears to be limited to 16X ONLY burn speed and, therefore,will not be usable on a burner that hasn't had a successful firmware upgrade...

[Video Dude]

I have an 8x burner, which I run at 4x to burn DVD's. I'm seeing a great deal on Verbatim blank DVD's, but they are 16x. Does that make any real difference, if I'm running at 4x?
Verbatim media can be burnt at lower speeds. I always burn 16x Verbatims at 4x on my 8x drive with near perfect scans.

A 8x burner should be able to handle it. Some manufacturers have released firmware upgrades for improved writing. Check your drive's web page. But if you do upgrade the firmware, the firmware will not double the actual write speed of the drive.

[sleddog218]

Thank you all for your advice. I doubled checked, and they say they are "up to 16x", so I should be fine. They were a great price (50 for $12.99), so frankly, if they don't work ok, I'll just give them to a buddy of mine. And if they do work fine, I'll go buy more!
Thanks again,
David

[setarip_old]

Thank you all for your advice.Happy Burning ;>}

[Sirber]

you can find a lot of firmware here:

http://forum.rpc1.org/dl_all.php