Avoid NexxTech Dual Layers!

[bongoman31]

I've seen lots of recommendations to only use Verbatim DL's, but have had pretty good results using several brands, Sony, Memorex, TDK, etc. But I just got burned buying 15 NexxTech's from Circuit City. They seem fine until ImgBurn is finalizing, and you get "Finalize disc failed" "Tracking Servo Failure". I click retry and it seems to correct it, quickly giving the "Success" message, but the resulting discs will not play on standalone players, Decrypter fails to open them, etc. I'll try to get my money back, but didn't keep the receipt. Wish me luck!

[setarip_old]

Hi!

Although you may very well be correct about the media, a "tracking servo failure" is most often indicative of a hardware problem (laser alignment).

Try cleaning your burner with a DVD/CD cleaning disc. Maxell makes one that sells for about $10 US...

[bongoman31]

OK- thanks; the reason I've assumed media, is the coincidence of only running into this with the first 3 of these new discs I've tried, and when I searched the forum on "tracking servo failure" I saw some mention of suspect media. Probably what i'll do is go get some "good" media and try that first. If I still have the problem I will definitely give your suggestion a try.

[blutach]

No - they are crap media.

http://club.cdfreaks.com/f62/possible-dual-layer-233598/#post1949718

Regards

[setarip_old]

Probably what i'll do is go get some "good" media and try that first. If I still have the problem I will definitely give your suggestion a try.That's exactly the correct route to take - and that's exactly why I said:Although you may very well be correct about the media...

Let us know how it goes with Verbatim D/L DVD+R media...

[rapscallion]

Let us know how it goes with Verbatim D/L DVD+R media...
Setarip...everything I've read re the Verbatim dl's that are now made in India (vs Singapore previously) is that they are VERY problematic.

[setarip_old]

@rapscallion

Hi!

1) Like you apparently, I have no personal experience regarding the "MBI" (India) D/L Verbatim media, so I can't comment on it.

2) I've neither heard nor seen any indication that they've stopped producing them in Singapore. As a matter of fact, I purchased 200 (10 twenty-packs) just a couple of weeks ago in the U.S. - and all were "MKM" (Singapore) manufactured...

[blutach]

Do the Indian ones have a different MID? MBI may be allowed to put on MKM under license, that's all.

Regards

[setarip_old]

1) The packaging of my D/L media states "Made in Singapore"

2) I rather doubt that Verbatim has any legal right to allow another company to use the MID of a Mitsubishi company

3) If "Manufacturer A" used the MID of "Manufacturer B", this would totally defeat the purpose of the MANUFACTURER's ID

[blutach]

But it certainly happens. Fake TYs abound.

And Verbatim is a subsidiary of MCC and with its parent's permission could license the MID code.

Regards

[rapscallion]

All the Verbatim dl in Best Buy for the last 2 months have been "Made in India". (also Newegg)

[setarip_old]

But it certainly happens. Fake TYs abound.

And Verbatim is a subsidiary of MCC and with its parent's permission could license the MID code.All of my media purchases are made at major brick and mortar stores in the U.S.. I'm certain that:

1) These major b&M retailers would not traffic in "fake" media (To the best of my knowledge, such items have only been available through Internet-only sellers)

2) Verbatim would not indicate "Made in Singapore" on the packaging if the product is made in India (regardless of the MID on the media)

[setarip_old]

@rapscallionAll the Verbatim dl in Best Buy for the last 2 months have been "Made in India". (also Newegg)How did you determine this? I ask because my recent purchases were, in fact, made at Best Buy. As I said, all packages were labelled "Made in Singapore". I guess it's possible, but not very likely, that they had "left over" older stock...

[rapscallion]

@rapscallionHow did you determine this? I ask because my recent purchases were, in fact, made at Best Buy. As I said, all packages were labelled "Made in Singapore". I guess it's possible, but not very likely, that they had "left over" older stock...
BTW, Congrats on the 9 thousanth post. YAMM !! :cool:

My local BB's don't have consistent inventory on VB DL's, even when they're on sale in the weekly ad.

Maybe you did get left over stock, where are you located ?...here's the packaging of the "made in India" as opposed to the old familiar VB packaging :

Edit: Did yours look like this....maybe it's mixed sourcing ?

http://mysite.verizon.net/fwk323/pics/vbdl.jpg

[setarip_old]

As I recall, mine were either 10 packs or 20 packs and, as I've already said, the packaging stated "Made in Singapore"...

Once again, how did you determine the following?:All the Verbatim dl in Best Buy for the last 2 months have been "Made in India". (also Newegg)

[rapscallion]

Ok, sorry, I thought it was obvious...it said so on the package.
And, also once again, where are you located ?

[setarip_old]

West Coast and Europe...
it said so on the package.I guess the fact that YOUR local Best Buy only had "Made in India" product is not proof positive that ALL Best Buy locations are so limited...

[rapscallion]

No, I certainly didn't mean to imply that. My first post on the subject just mentioned the many problems were reported by users with the made in India product. New York BB (I've got 5 within 6 miles of me)are some of the largest and probably go through inventory pretty fast, especially when there's a sale. That's why I asked where you were located. And, too, West Coast stores, I would think, go through stock fairly fast.
Again, from what I've read, you're lucky that you got Singapore stock.

[setarip_old]

Again, from what I've read, you're lucky that you got Singapore stock.Perhaps so. I've tried to determine whether Verbatim is currently still producing D/L media in Singapore, but I've not been able to track down any concrete information one way or the other.

Based on what you and others have said regarding the MBI-manufactured product, I'd suggest burning it at 2.4X only...

[rapscallion]

I was in BB today because they're having a sale on VB DL 20 pack spindles and they were all in the new packaging, made in India.

However, I did notice on the shelf, 15 pack spindles, in the old packaging, all made in Singapore. No way I was paying the price they wanted for them though. I still don't get why there's such a huge price premium for dl's. I mean, c'mon $2.75 per disc !!

[Shinigami-Sama]

I was in BB today because they're having a sale on VB DL 20 pack spindles and they were all in the new packaging, made in India.

However, I did notice on the shelf, 15 pack spindles, in the old packaging, all made in Singapore. No way I was paying the price they wanted for them though. I still don't get why there's such a huge price premium for dl's. I mean, c'mon $2.75 per disc !!

they still loose 1/2 the DLs last I checked, which is why they're expensive, but they're still marked up pretty good

[tjhart85]

Another reason they are so expensive is that people aren't buying them in bulk.

I remember when DVD-Rs came out and people paid $10 PER DISC!

That was when they were used primarily for data backups, not movies. Once DVD burning became commonplace and DVDR-Rs were flying off the shelves, prices dropped.

Right now, DL discs are used primarily for data, when people make the transition to DL discs as the norm, prices will drop & the manufacturing process will get better, resulting in less problematic discs.

With HD & Blue-Ray, people may skip over the DL transition completely and go for one of the other formats.

On the other hand, the HD/Blue-Ray discs may become the new data choice and DL discs become the new standard for video DVDs (until the next transition).

Just my $.02

[setarip_old]

@rapscallion

I wanted to let you know that one of my secretaries picked up several 20 packs of Verbatim D/L DVD+Rs today, at Office Max. They are in the same new packaging as shown in your posting (except, of course, quantity is 20) - and are stated to be "Manufactured in Singapore".

Despite the act that the poor woman paid $49.99 per 20 pack, she at least has the satisfaction of knowing that it appears that Verbatim is still manufacturing D/L DVD+Rs in Singapore, not ONLY in India ;>}

[Shinigami-Sama]

On the other hand, the HD/Blue-Ray discs may become the new data choice and DL discs become the new standard for video DVDs (until the next transition).

Just my $.02

right now it looks like we're going to be stuck with blu-ray
people will still use DVD 'cause its cheap to back up movies(cheaper than hard drives last I checked), blu-ray will be used mostly for data for the first while, then people will put what, 5 dvds on blu-ray and hack the menus so you can pick one and play it

at least thats how I see it

[rapscallion]

@rapscallion

I wanted to let you know that one of my secretaries picked up several 20 packs of Verbatim D/L DVD+Rs today, at Office Max. They are in the same new packaging as shown in your posting (except, of course, quantity is 20) - and are stated to be "Manufactured in Singapore".

Despite the act that the poor woman paid $49.99 per 20 pack, she at least has the satisfaction of knowing that it appears that Verbatim is still manufacturing D/L DVD+Rs in Singapore, not ONLY in India ;>}

Now, that's interesting !! I'll keep my eyes open then for sure.

[setarip_old]

@rapscallion

I was just advised of another difference - the packages I spoke of are also labelled as "2.4X speed - approved for speeds up to 6X".

Perhaps the burn speed is the distinction between "Made in Singapore" and "Made in India" (Yours is labelled "8X speed").

I've sent off an email to Verbatim, seeking a definitive response regarding who's manufacturing what and MIDs used by the two factories. I'll post the information here, if or when I get a response...

[blutach]

Yes, do get the 2.4x - they seem to be the best.

Regards

[rapscallion]

@setarip

Yes, that may be it...the ones I saw were up to 8X.

[setarip_old]

@rapscallion

An update - just to let you know that, after 25 days, I've not received a response from Verbatim...

[rapscallion]

And...now I'm seeing the Singapore sourced (up to 8X) spindles @ Best Buy. Maybe VB was getting enough complaints that they "saw the light" !

[setarip_old]

now I'm seeing the Singapore sourced (up to 8X) spindles @ Best Buy.That's good to hear - but I still very strongly suggest burning them at only 2.4X...

[rapscallion]

Absolutely agree !!

[rapscallion]

That's good to hear - but I still very strongly suggest burning them at only 2.4X...
Well this is interesting. The latest batch that BB just got in, in the new packaging, is rated @ 2.4X , up to 6X.
No longer up to 8X. I imagine they must have either received a lot of complaints of coasters and or returns.
These are Made in Singapore.

Edit: BTW,the "up to 6X" is in such small print I missed it at first.

Edit #2: Additionally, BB has raised the price to $52.95! Fortunately, I had a Micro Center ad @ $27.95, which they matched.

[setarip_old]

@rapscallion

It looks like the effect of the weak U.S. dollar has reared its ugly head!

Check out ALL Verbatim media prices at the Best Buy website...

[jshumate]

With regards to Verbatim DVD+R DL media...

Other forums are reporting that Made In Singapore 8x times discs are getting harder and harder to find. NewEgg is no longer shipping these. They are shipping the 2.4-6x media, but it's all Made In India. I have not personally heard of 2.4-6x Made In Singapore media. My local Best Buy stores suck and given their bad prices on media, I mail order all my media.

2.4x only Verbatim DL media is all Made In India and has been for some time.

While I have personally used the 2.4x Made In India discs and they are OK for me (the Made In Singapore quality does seem to be slightly better to me), others have thrown bitch fits about them like you would not believe, claiming that a large percentage of the discs are coasters, etc. I have never burned a DL disc faster than 4x speed and I can't recommend doing so. I would probably never try 8x or 10x speed that some do. I might would try 6x though. Just my personal lack of trust in the higher speeds. DL discs are kind of tricky in how they work and I'm personally not sure that burning as fast as possible is a good idea, but that is my personal prejudice and your belief may be quite different from mine.

It does seem that some DL media is still being made in Singapore, but whether this will continue is a good question.

[rapscallion]

With regards to Verbatim DVD+R DL media...

Other forums are reporting that Made In Singapore 8x times discs are getting harder and harder to find. NewEgg is no longer shipping these. They are shipping the 2.4-6x media, but it's all Made In India. I have not personally heard of 2.4-6x Made In Singapore media. My local Best Buy stores suck and given their bad prices on media, I mail order all my media.

2.4x only Verbatim DL media is all Made In India and has been for some time.

While I have personally used the 2.4x Made In India discs and they are OK for me (the Made In Singapore quality does seem to be slightly better to me), others have thrown bitch fits about them like you would not believe, claiming that a large percentage of the discs are coasters, etc. I have never burned a DL disc faster than 4x speed and I can't recommend doing so. I would probably never try 8x or 10x speed that some do. I might would try 6x though. Just my personal lack of trust in the higher speeds. DL discs are kind of tricky in how they work and I'm personally not sure that burning as fast as possible is a good idea, but that is my personal prejudice and your belief may be quite different from mine.

It does seem that some DL media is still being made in Singapore, but whether this will continue is a good question.
I think that the speed issue applies to all media. I burn CD's, dvd's at lower than rated speeds all the time.

BTW, what program do you find best to back up video dvd's in DL mode ?

[setarip_old]

@jshumate

Hi!2.4x only Verbatim DL media is all Made In India and has been for some time.I don't know if that's truly the case. What is your source of information? I had emailed Verbatim regarding the Singapore vs. India situation - and never received a response.

Although I can't attest to the date of manufacture, yesterday I purchased fourteen (That was all they had) 20 packs of Verbatim 2.4X D/L DVD+R media, Made in Singapore, at Best Buy.

"Rapscallion" just reported a similar purchase. I too, as "Rapscallion" was able to accomplish, convinced the Best Buy personnel to the price from $52.99 to $27.99, matching the price being offered by Micro Center.

One important point to note - I had to examine each package, because they were commingled with IDENTICAL (quantity, color, label, form factor) packages "Made in India"!