Defective media from CD-Recordable.com

[smoof]

After seeing all the positive posts about CD-Recordable.com media I ordered the 25 DVD-R pack and received them yesterday. I burned them with VOB InstantCD/DVD 6.4 and Nero 5.5.8.0, the burner is a Pioneer A04 firmware version 1.20.

First off, I looked at the recording side of the disk and immediately noticed that there were abnormalities on the disk. I would describe it as cloudiness and/or dark streaks in the dye. You can see them by standing under a light and tilting the disk at various angles. There were two different patterns of this abnormality: one pattern starts at the center of the disk and extends radially outward with a length of 1/4 to 1/2 inch. The other pattern is a long (2 or 3 inches) arching dark streak usually near the outer edge. Some disks the defects are more noticable than others but I saw them on every single disk. The defect is visible before and after burning the disk.

In comparision, I have 6 generic DVD-R blanks from Esbuy.com and 5 of them look perfect (before and after burning). One of the blanks had 2 or 3 noticeable dark spots after burning but I was able to successfully read all data off the disk.

So I burned 5 CD-Recordable disks using various combinations of software (VOB & Nero) and burn speeds (1x & 2x). No failures were reported during the burn process. Each disk failed when attempting to copy the data from the burned DVD back to the hard drive using the A04.

I have 6 DVD devices at my disposal: 2 DVD-ROMS, 1 burner (Pioneer A04), PS2, RCA & Sony Standalone. Here's the results:

DVD-ROMS & A04:
Some files will read successfully from the burned DVD's and some result in a CRC error. One DVD could not be mounted so reading any data from that disk was impossible.

Sony & RCA Standalone:
Now this is interesting... The Sony played a couple of this disks fine, had a C:13 error on one disk and had freezing and blocking problems on another disk. The RCA had similar results. The disk that was not mountable on the DVD-ROM's would not start up on the standalones either.

PS2:
Played partway through and displayed a disk read error. Could not play the disk that was not mountable.

In comparision, the Esbuy.com generic DVD-R's play fine on the RCA and PS2, read back all data successfully on the DVD-ROMS & A04. The only problem with the Esbuy.com disks is that they will not play on the Sony (DVP-C600D) standalone.

Are you still with me??? To all of the CD-Recordable users please try the following and post the results to this thread.

1. Look at the recording side, can you see any defects?

2. Take a burned CD-Recordable.com DVD and try to read all the files off the DVD back onto your hard drive. Are there any failures?

Nero has a nice feature that allows you to verify the data after the CD is burned, you may want to use it for peace of mind.

Well, the bottom line is that the disks are going to be returned to CD-Recordable for a refund:( it's very disappointing.

[jdobbs]

I looked at the ones I have, nothing unusual.

Put a couple of cd-recordable DVD-Rs I've made into my Pioneer DVD-114 DVD-ROM drive and copied the files to my hard drive. No errors for me.

I was very disappointed to find that my latest shipment wouldn't burn at 2x, though. It seems that it is now working for some others.

[ptmsssg]

I also bought DVD-R discs from cd-recordable.com because of positive
feedback in this forum.

First 3 discs causes error at the initialization with PrimoDVD.
The 4th and 5th are successfully burned with PrimoDVD, but
it causes CRC error when I try to copy files from the discs to
hard disc.

I can burn Apple DVD-R discs and meritline discs with no problem.

I'll never buy DVD-R discs from cd-recordable.com again.

My burner is Pioneer DVR-A03 and firmware version is 1.80.
I'm using latest PX engine for PrimoDVD.

Thanks,
ptmsssg

[bluespot]

Damn, so much for the quality control at cdrecordable. I almost ordered 100 of their DVD-Rs based on all the positive feedback that I've seen so far. I think I'll hold off now, or maybe go with a smaller order...

[gump_boy]

I've ordered over over 60 of these and they play fine on my pioneer and sony standalones. But I also have the same problem as you have reported. I get errors when copying the movie back to the hard drive from the cd-recordables with dvd-rom. But copying the data back with my A03 works. I've also noticed the defects, but haven't encountered any playback errors on my standalones.

[xsirxx]

Same issues, these discs are the only discs to give me problems at 95% outer layer of each disc. I recieved my discs and they all had scratches on the bottoms of them too. Trust me never order these discs ... meritline.com are the same damn thing... wouldnt order those either. Good luck all.

[goonyah]

1. Look at the recording side, can you see any defects?

I just bought a 30 pack of these disks (like you, the user ratings meant a lot to me). I haven't burned any of them yet as I'm still trying to figure this all out, BUT I have looked at the disks, and there seems to be a lot of defects on them. Great.

I'm still going to give them a try and see what happens.

More to follow ...

Follow-Up 05-06-2002

Well, I burned my first DVD this weekend - and lucky for me, there don't seem to be any errors. After burning with Nero, I verified it and it passed. Then I dropped it in my standalone (Pioneer 434) and gave it a whirl. It played flawlessly. I'll be burning more in the near future and will follow up again. As of right now, I can't verify that the discs are bunk!

[Commander XJL]

Even if you don't see any defects, these disks still won't play right, at least thats true for me. I notice that when these DVD's are stacked up on a spindle they don't even lay flat! Their actually a little bit warped too. This place needs to be put out of business because there is only one word for what they are doing to people and that is STEALING! I have lost money, shipping charges and time because of these crooks. If you are considering ordering disks from these people you better read the forum and you will see that most people are having trouble with these disks. If you order disks from these guys your probably going to feel something big and hard rammed in your butt, I know it still hurts when I sit down

[bezerk]

didn't read through the whole post, but if it hurts when you sit down, then those are probably hemeroids dude, try to eat more wholebran food :D

[xsirxx]

I find the ointment works wonders..... I think its a steroid cream, anywho good luck to your hemroids!

PS. I agree I wanna make sure everyone knows here, on 2 different computers one with a pioneer and one with a panasonic, I had the same problems (95% outter layer bad.) The discs I recieved from cdrecordable.com had scratches on them (recordable side.) Then the ones that all burned fine were bad at 95% anyway, so I just reburnt the same files on another cdrecordable disc from another set and it ran fine. It appears to me out of the 3 -25 packs I bought from them, 5 out of each set were bad, except the first 25 pack in which case all were. Good luck.

[bezerk]

oh yeah, ointment is the way to go, they should sell that stuff in computer stores ! ;)

Anyway xsirxx,
did you try to exchange defective media ?
What was their reaction ?
When was the last time you ordered media from them ?
Is there any improvement in more recent media ?
Are you able to write at 2X with more recent media ?

I would order their media because it's cheap, but lots of media seems to be defective, I live in Europe, I have to pay taxes, customs fees, It take a long time for media to arrive.
If I take all this into account, I'm better buying Pioneer media
for 9$ here, but I can get used DVD's for 10$, hmmmm....

make's you wonder if buying A03 was good idea.......

[Octagon]

Yes theyre shit is defective. cant believe this shit .I already burnt like 10 discs and they wont copy back to my HD. I cant burn at 2x either. Only 1x and I have AO3 w/ 1.80 firmware. We got hoosed by cdrecordable.com. Also theyre first batch was top notch.

SEND IT back. No need for Rma or anything. Either exchange it or get a refund. If its burnt or marked it does not matter. Make sure no CD/DVD label was attached though. I already sent 50 dvd-r back. Im hella pissed my self. I was worried my DVd burrner was busted.

[p3distxii]

I have ordered 2 batches from them. My last batch (and I do mean my LAST BATCH!) will copy back to my HD. They refuse to play/boot in my ps2, and most are stuttery in my xbox and in my RCA standalone. All of them do play flawlessly in my Pioneer 103 (but like most people, I want to watch movies on my TV). I notice the "abnormalities" on almost every 3rd disc. My first batch was fine, but the inconsistency will kill all future orders from me. I thought that I was doing something wrong until I recently bought some Verbatim DVD-Rs and copied the SAME FILES onto them and watched them perform flawlessly. Goodbye CDRecordables.com!

[Commander XJL]

And to think people use to yell at me when I said they were crap, now I can't keep track of all the people that are saying they are crap:confused:

[Octagon]

I actually use my batch as testers because DVD-rw isnt the same as DVd-r. They work fine just dont copy back to HD. Then I send them back in and they send me new ones. Fresh supply of testing disks.

[kilroy]

thank you! i was just about to order some dvds and cases from there for when i get my burner... i will still be willing to shell out a few more dollars for quality name brands and guaranteed perfection :)

[rinkel]

Strange though,
I had my first batch, they burned at 2x at they were alll perfect. I hear the same story from time to time that the first batch is ok and the next batch is crap..
Maybe they have 2 different types: 1 type for first customers and the 2nd crappy type for 2nd orders.
So after the first batch people come back.

But anyways, for international shippings they aren't that cheap. I have to pay tax at customs, so now i order "That's Write" in The netherlands for less. Had no coasters so far (35)

Rinkel

[jdobbs]

I actually went through 3 shipments of cdrecordable.com discs with absolutely no problem... then BAM about 15 discs into my last shipment (and it is definitely my LAST shipment) I did 9 in a row that I found out much later would only play on certain standalones. I had to reburn them. I've since switched to judysdeals - and they've worked fine for me so far.

[Octagon]

judysdeal overcharges. Go to cdrdvdrmedia.com Or something like that. They got good stuff there.

[kilroy]

i seem to think that there is no online reliable dvd sales...am i right? i wanna know the most reliable sites people have had good luck with more than one shipment..if this was already stated earlier i apologize..

[Commander XJL]

I've ordered 8 batches of Apples now from the Apple Store, shipping is fast and they pay for it, all disks are perfect

[Octagon]

http://store.yahoo.com/cdrdvdrmedia/

Basically this is Meritline.com

THIS IS The brand that is great in my opinion:

http://store.yahoo.com/cdrdvdrmedia/25pachigun47.html

[Octagon]

URl to apples store and price?

[Commander XJL]

http://store.apple.com/1-800-MY-APPLE/WebObjects/AppleStore.woa/91/wo/LtqCM0WgOilpJluLPK/0.3.0.3.30.7.0.CoverPageLeftAccessoriesPromo.1.1.0.3.13.11.3.1.1.0

25 dollars for 5, no shipping charge

[Octagon]

Way to expensive. Just go to hypermicro.com and buy some Verbatims.

[Commander XJL]

Verbatims are way too ugly, they look like my 2 year old drew on them. And I wouldn't call the price difference between Apples and Verbatims "way"

[24hourloop]

You buy DVD-Rs based upon the way they look ?

[Octagon]

Since i order by 25 a piece or 100$ at a time I would. 25x5=125

25 at hyper micro is 110 with shipping. I think I'll keep my 15$ and enjoy my ugly Verbatims. As long as I have a place to print whats on the dvd-r I dont care. I care more about verbatims quality assurance and knowing that my iformation is safe which Im not sure about the generics because I have lost faith in them. SO many diff generics and not many work all the way correctly.

[Commander XJL]

I'm just kidding, I'm about ready to order some butt ugly Verbatims, I don't care how they look, just how they play. 15 dollars is a good savings. My wife is ugly, my kids are ugly, and I'm ugly, my DVDR's might as well be ugly too

[bluespot]

Hey, don't be so hard on yourself Commander...it can't be all that bad :) I personally consider the verbatims to be beautiful, because every time that I pull one out of my burner, I know it's gonna work!

[Octagon]

Such words of englightenment blue. How true.