DVD-RW's how many times can you burn them

[Commander XJL]

Well my wife says that DVD-RW's and me have something in common, they don't last very long. I've been burning and erasing a TDK disk, I've used it around 50 times and now my player won't reconize it. How many times should you be able to burn these disks? I heard it was like 1000 times, but it looks like thats wrong

[padre]

The only time I've seen a DVD-RW 're-write' count stated was on one site which quoted 100 times. I'm sure, just like the standard issues with DVD-R's (quality, dye, thickness), there are probably several factors that allow one brand to be re-written more versus another.

[jdobbs]

I had a couple of DVD-RWs that did the same thing after several rewrite cycles. I did a complete format on the disc (rather than the standard quick format) and it fixed it. Don't know if that will work for you -- but if you haven't tried it, it may be worth the effort.

[TRILIGHT]

I've not been counting but I'm certain I've burned to my TDK DVD-RW disc at least 60 or 70 times by now. Still haven't had any trouble with it. Are you sure you aren't trying to burn ISO/UDF in Nero? I've found that particular option to be very unreliable. Sometimes works and sometimes does not. I've stuck with "DVD Video" option on version 5.5.8.0 with no problems. Anyway, back to the disc, I know it will last longer because I've burned to it a LOT! Perhaps you need to do a full format? (I've always just used "quick erase" or "quick format" and it's still been fine)

[Commander XJL]

I always do a full format, and I always use Primo. It formats and burns, just won't play anymore. Maybe I wore it out. I thought if you do a quick format the data is still there really. If you have 4 gig on a disk don't you need to do a full format before you can write another 4 gig to it?

[TRILIGHT]

I've never had a problem. It must work because that is what I always do to erase my disc. Sometimes it is just a very short project test and the next one could easily be much larger. It's always burned ok. I wish there was a way to check the number of burns but I'm almost positive I've done at least 60-70 on it.

[Commander XJL]

The DVD-RW plays on my computer, just not on my standalone any more. I'm going to try to erase it and burn it with another program, I'll let you know if it makes a difference

[jdobbs]

Yes, when you do a quick format most of the data is still there. No, you don't have to do a full format when you rewrite it. The laser writes both ones and zeros when burning -- so you actually "clear" it with the overwrite. The quick format just clears the header area so it appears to be blank.

[Commander XJL]

OK i erased and burned the disk with nero this time instead of primo and now it works ok. I don't get it though