Strange smudges on disc surface...

[trekkerj]

After burning. This is the cheap media. I thought my sharpie marker was bleeding through the disc, so I stopped using it. Until I just was looking at a recent disc that had a minor problem an hour in (i was able to watch it to completion anyway). I saw the same markings I thought were coming from the marker. Could this be a problem with the dye on the disc, and if so, can it cause playback problems? I think my problems that I get at the end of discs were due to the labels I was applying, but when it happens in the middle, I suspect the disc. Thanks for any info.

[Commander XJL]

Your having media problems, buy better media. And yes they use cheap materials on generic disks as well as cheap manufacturing. Thats why these disks don't cost much, and yes bad dye can cause playback problems. Plaback problems can happen anywhere on the disk with generic media, not just the end.

[trekkerj]

I think I was having a combination of both problems. (labels and media) These discs seem to work differently in different players. My Sony handles MOST of the disc OK, my Toshiba doesn't like them much at all, and my friend's RCA plays them perfectly.

[Commander XJL]

I have heard that name brand media is better at handling labels, probably because there manufactured to tighter specs. Generics probably wobble more to begin with which is why they don't like labels as well

[rjgn]

Personally I wouldn't label ANY DVDR's. I tried it with some good quality discs ie. TDK and it still causes problems.

When it comes to cheap media you just have to try different brands to find ones that work well with your system. Commander is right in that cheap media can cause problems anywhere on the disc but your still far more likely to have errors near the end of discs.

I've actually found a few very cheap brands that work perfectly for me, no skipping stuttering or anything, even on full burns. Wether or not they'll still work in a couple of years time is another matter but I'm willing to take the risk ;)

[trekkerj]

I just ordered some Ritek's, should arrive tomorrow. I'll start using them and see how they work. I heard good things about them, and they're not much more expensive that the brand or non-brand I've been using.

[padre]

trekkerj

I think you'll be good with the Ritek's. Alot of users have had good luck with them.

As for labels, I use a thin, very light translucent label on my Ritek/PrimeDiscs and haven't had any heat or wobble issues.

I originally used the paper and glossy labels you'd normally put on CDR's, and YES that did cause a boatload of problems. So I think the properties of the label has something to do with media working before/after labelling.

[klona]

Labels on DVDR is reported as a very good source of problems ! By many people, on many forums.

You should avoid labels, but it's a free planet (a bit at least) and you can do what you like. But, at least, do some test without labels, just to check

[padre]

Yup, klona, you're right on. To avoid all chances the labels could be the issue, don't use any and see if you still have problems. If you do, then the labels aren't the issue. If you don't, then re-think using labels.

I've seen the use of labels cause marginally good DVD-R's to go bad. So testing is a real good idea.

I'm starting to use "Hub Labels" that have no impact on the wobble or heat of the disc. They sit at the inner ring of the disc, and don't throw the balance off. And they are great for those double-sided discs.