Nero Dynamic Write Speed

I have not used that program, so I cannot comment on that.

Does the Nero infotool show the correct drive model? Does it show you're running in DMA mode?

I just posted a link the other day that may help you. 

<ADMIN NOTE: Broken link has been removed from this post by Dell>

Click on the link and scroll down to "Extended Specifications" and look for "Write/Read Speed".  Even though it, and other burners, say they are 16x, that's not exactly correct.  It depends greatly on the what dvd type your trying to burn to...dvd +R,-R,+RW,-RW.  Each type will only burn at specific speeds successfully according to your burners capabilities for each type.  So, if you have dvd -r disks that are 16x capable, and you let Nero "determine dvd speed" it will only burn at the max speed the Phillips DVD8631 can support for the type of disk you are trying to burn to.  DVD-R will burn at 4x and 8x.  DVD+R will burn at 2.4x, 4x, 8x, and 16x.  Eventhough it is nice to burn quicker, it is not always better.  One thing I was told when starting to burn dvd's was burn at the slowest speed you can.  It will take longer, but, is better.  Take that statement for whatever it's worth.  Also, which ever type of dvd you try to burn to, make sure the device you plan on playing it on will read it.  I know my stand alone dvd player reads dvd-r disks, so, that's all I burn to.  All I know is once I found the page in the link above, I have never had a problem burning to any disk.  Good luck!

Thank you for spending the time on your thoughtful reply.  I'll take a look at the url you referenced.  But, like I just replied, I sometimes try to change the burn speed and not let Nero pick the speed and only have two options with one being "fastest" or whatever.  Sometimes, I get a range of speeds (2X, 4X, 8X) to pick from.  I know it depends on the media in the drive.  Funny you should mention the standalone DVD player aspect.  My DVD player at the time read DVD-R so I made sure the 8400 did DVD-R when I got it.  The 8631 had to be replaced about a month later and after the replacement, any burns on a DVD-R DID NOT WORK in the same standalone!  I had to use DVD+R's from that point on.  In fact, if I made a DVD for a friend, if his standalone DVD player does -R only, I burn to a +R and it works fine.  If I burn to a -R -- no go.  Strange,

That's why when I bought a standalone DVD recorder I got one that read + and - DVD's.

Thanks again

Nero does indeed correctly identify the drive, firmware, DMA, etc but never lists anything faster than 8X.  There are times when I try to change the speed when about to burn a DVD using Nero and video files on my hard drive and the only option I have is "fastest" or "highest" or whatever or a speed of 4x.  Other times I have an 8X option.  Strange.

I realized after posting my original message that I did, in fact, once hit 16x with a 16x rated blank (I think it was Memorex DVD-R but only a few times) about a year ago but never again,even with the same brand.  The DVD came out okay.

Thanks for replying.  I'm not losing sleep over this.  I was just curious about the Nero utility.  I hate to run things that sound good or promising on a pc that's operationally ok to find that something gets messed up after running the utility or whatever.

shaboz:

We haven't gotten into media, but I've had no problem burning Verbatim DVD+R 16x media in my son's 4550 equipped with a Pioneer DVR-109 (also success with Verbatim DL). Why don't you try Verbatim?