Humax DRT400 DVD media

[Bill McNeal]

What DVD blanks have people found to be the best for a Humax DRT400? I'm looking for something reliable, but not outrageously expensive. The various formats (-R, +R, -RW) is somewhat confusing. However, rewritability is not necessary for what I'm looking for.

[TiVoEvan74]

I'd go with -RW-- costs more but it can be friendlier ecologically (no discarding discs once you're done); saves space-- after you've watched some TV show that's been burned, you can reuse the disc;

Key, though, the burners have been known to fail, even repeatedly when burning disks-- with RW you just try again!

[Bill McNeal]

Thanks for the tip. Any particular brands of -RW discs you would recommend?

[TydalForce]

I've always put Verbatim and TDK at the top of the list, with Memorex in 3rd place. I've never had luck with Imation so I avoid them at all costs.

In theory the generic cheapo brands should be OK, but they aren't always... sometimes you just have to expepriment.

[TiVoEvan74]

I've had great success with SONY -RW 2x (noticeably slower than the others)

Ridata -RW 4x (was the cheapest price--were on sale at amazon for many months)

TDK -RW 4x (both these and Ridata are quite fast)

I also picked up a set of Playo - R 8x for archive purposes (they were dirt cheap and burn incredibly fast). I use them for movies, certain science shows, Masterpiece Theater-- things we are likely to want to keep around and watch again in the future--and not reburn.

Generally, though, I prefer the -RWs even if they cost a chunk more. The key is to find the sales--either locally, e.g., we got the SONYs at Staples, IIRC, at a steal of a price.

[Bill McNeal]

I was at Costco and picked up a 100-pack of TDKs for $30, after $10 rebate. It was the only brand they had.

I burned the first set of 2 episodes of 24 fine. Then the next 3 discs, it gets an "internal error" after initializing a save, but before it makes any progress.

Is there anything I should look for or try, to fix this problem? I assume those 3 discs are now coasters.

[TiVoEvan74]

If they were DVD-R, then, yes, they are coasters. (Although I keep waiting for someone to come along with a way of reburning CDs and DVDs that were write once only. I have a whole stack of free AOL CDs that I'm saving for just such an occasion!)

I'm assuming that they were -Rs as those are the only ones I've ever seen at such lows prices. But if they are -RW simply stick them back in and try recording again.

Still, at only 3 cents a pop for the DVDs you got, you can probably tolerate several coasters. Maybe you can make a mobile out of them!

As to what to do to stop the problem, rummage the boards here and you will find all sorts of tips-- most of which are superstitions. I recommend hopping up and down on your left (not right) foot. That usually makes the next burning work. But it doesn't last a long time, you may get a coaster again, and have to hop once more!!

Still, there are some tricks/tips that seem more solid than others, so look around and try a few.

[rcm3]

I haven't really had a problem with any specific disk types....
I guess I've just gotten lucky.