I thought it was ok to use media rated higher than the actual write speed of a recorder, but was surprised to find that my new Sylvania DVR90VE Recorder needs a firmware upgrade in order to use 8x DVD-R media. There was no mention of this in the manual - I found it out in a trouble call to customer service. Do I not know this just because I am an newbie? Although 4x DVD-R media works fine, it is a rare find in stores..... all major brands are 8x. My opinion of this unit is dropping because: 1) A potential trouble spot like this ought to be noted in the manual, and 2) It seems like their technology is lagging if primarily available media is outpacing it.
I need to return the unit within 15 days of purchase if I'm going to do that, and I have about 11 days left. Did I pick a lemon brand or am I being too harsh?
??? That's really strange since DVD set top recorders without a hard drive only record at 1X anyway ??? It seems that if you can record on a 4X disc, you should be able to record on an 8X disc also ??? My LiteOn? recorders both really like 8X Maxell, Verbatim and Sony discs ??? As a matter of fact, it doesn't seem to have any problems with any brand or format of disc ??? Have you tried several brands of disc? Try Verbatim discs, they're really good ???
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I have the Emerson ewr10d4. Its exactly the same at your unit as they are both made by funai.
The unit records great. You can find the x4 media if you look in the right places. Right now Verbatim Digital Movie DVD-R 1x-4x is on sale at Circuit City. 10 packs in regular size cases for 4.99 and 25 pack DVD-R 1x-4x in cake boxes for 6.99. There are also available at regular price at Best Buy.
Maxell 1x-4x can be found in Staples. The Maxell DVD-RW's are 1x-2x.
You can get spindle packs of 15 at Walmart for 16.97.
You can always purchase x4 media online as well.
Get the upgrade disc. You will then be able to use 1x-8x media, however, the DVD-RW's will still be 1x-2x. 8x media should be around for a while.
As for burning at higher speeds, you shouldn't want to do that anyway.
catfreak: Only tried TDK. But Sylvania (funai) customer service didn't seem surprised. Just stated that "Yup - 8x don't work, got to use 4x!)
GregRod: Thanks, I feel better. The amount of 8x DVD-R media on the shelves was MUCH greater than 4x where I looked, and I was concerned that in a few months I would not be able to get 4x at all anymore. The situation is probably not that bad. No, don't want to burn at higher speeds - was just worried about future supply of media. Hopefully the firmware upgrade will take care of the problem and I'll be set for a long time. (Still think this caveat should have been mentioned in the manual!)
I agree with you. They should have stated that only 4x DVD-r and 1-2x DVD-RW can be used. I actually was in Walmart yesterday and saw that they are now putting stickers on the boxes stating just that.
As for 4x media, I think it is starting to go away in stores. I just bought as much as I could so I would be set for a while. Many stores just unloaded 4x media at ridiculously low prices such as Circuit City.
BTW, Best Buy has those Verbatims on sale for 13.99 in a cake box of 25 this week.
Oh yeah..do not use Memorex DVD-R in your unit. They are not recommended by Funai and they are crappy discs. Sony's are a no go as well.
Try Maxells, Fuji, Verbatim, Imation amd TDK. Store brands are ok but most reports show that they do not last long. I also use Comp USA x4. So far they are good in my Emerson as well.
??? Watch out for Imation?, some of their media is made by CMC and is not good ??? Office Depot branded discs are made by Ritek? and you can still get them in 4X (right now on sale for $14.00/50 ???
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