Tim wrote:

"Tim" wrote in message
...


Yes, they are ultra speed 24X CD-RWs, although both drives are designed to
handle them. But as you say, they may not be written well enough to read
from different drives. I will try non-ultra speed media, thanks.



Just wondering,. is there any sort of testing utility that can evaluate the
recording performance of a CD/DVD burner? - something that can make the
distinction between a failing drive and simple media incompatibility? It
seems like the standards for a quality burned disc are fairly arbitrary. Is
there anything close to a universal media formulation that should play on
any drive?

You need the right hardware and software to go with it. Some LiteOn
drives can unofficially be used for disc testing together with Nero's
checking software (it used to be called CDSpeed but I think it has a new
name now).

The only manufacturer supported affordable test solutions are the
Plextor Premium, PX712 or PX716 drives in conjunction with the Plextools
program that comes with these drives. These will show low level error
rates, jitter and pit/land distribution on recorded discs together with
focus and tracking errors on blank discs.

Taiyo Yuden CD-R's seem to be the most compatible discs in my
experience. I haven't had any compatibility problems with Verbatim discs
that were down to the discs themselves either but I've not used anything
like as many recordable DVD's as I have CD's.

Cheers.

James.