Is There Really A Difference Between Burning a DVD At 1x or 16x?

I've always wondered about this question and I've always got different answer: Will there be any real differences between burning a DVD at 1x vs. 16x, other than speed?

 

Acccuracy, speed etc.

If you are burning essential files or files you cannot lose any bit of such as an OS then you want to burn at the slowest write speed you can.

 

Aside from the time difference, what specifically are you asking. Burn quality?

It could be argued that a slower speed would let the burning laser have more time to burn each pit. However, the optical drives have pre-defined tables with the optimum parameters for burning each type of media. Using other than the default maximum speed for the media may result in the burner using other than optimum parameters. If the burner doesn't recognise the media type then it probably defaults to burning at a relatively low speed.

While burning is more reliable now than when CD burners first came out, there is still some uncertainty. I always use Nero with its verify option but also take the precaution of testing important discs in another computer with a different brand of optical drive.

John

 

Is that really true, though? I was wondering if there was actually any kind of actual quality and accuracy difference with modern DVDs, other than some people being a little paranoid.

 

I usually burn just below the max supported speed of the drive & disc (for dvd's)

CD's can be burnt at full speed (32x) with no problems.

 

I'm burning an OS (OS X) and my DVD drive's minimum speed for DVD-R (not RW) disks seems to be 16x (or the disk's). Will that affect anything at all?

 

Let the drive go at the speed it wants.

Just check it afterwards by copying the whole of the contents back to the hard disk.

John

 

For things such as OSs. I always burn at the lowest speed. I doubt that is your lowest available speed. What software are you using to burn?

 

1x slower = accurate (good quality)

16x faster = inaccuracy (mid quality)

 

I'm also wondering the same thing. Anybody have any evidence, or facts or anything to back this up?

 

i personally burn DVDs at my drive's MAX speed all the time.... and have never had a bad burn... instead of slowing to minimum speed just do a VERFIY while burning....

that should only cut speed in half.... half of 16X is still 8x faster than 1x