I read strange things about DVD recording speed, like "a 2x DVD can't be recorded at 1x, just like 1x DVD can't be recorded o 2x". Sounds strange. Is it true?
The speed at which a disk can be recorded depends on the write strategies stored in a dvd burner's ROM for that particular media. Some disks can be written at speeds in excess of their "advertised" or labeled speed. Most disks can be written at speeds less than maximum (with the exception of 1X rated disks). One should generally burn at the speed which yields the best quality recording for that media with that particular burner. As a general rule, many would advocate burning at a speed no higher than half the rated speed of the media. Most software will list the available burning speeds for the media for the particular burner being used. The best approach is to burn your media at different speeds and then assess the quality of the burn with DVDInfo Pro or Nero or some other program tool and determine the speed which is best for your burner and media.
1X is the base speed of the disk so one doesn't record at less than that speed. Some of the newer media won't burn at less than 2X or 4X. Is that what you needed to know? For example, the only speeds at which my NEC 3540 will burn Verbatim 16X disks are 4X, 6X, 8X, 12X, and 16X. Yet it will burn a 2X-6X double-layer Verbatim at 8X maxiumum (which is in excess of the rated speed).
I'm talking about the strange warning I can read on some DVD: "this product is not suitable for use with dvd-r/rw drives which do not comply with the new dvd-r/rw specifications for 2x writing speed. Please check your dvd-r/rw drive before using this product. Any sue with such non complying drives may result in loss of data and/or modification or damages to the drives. For further information concerning necessary actions for such non-complying drives, please refer to following web sites: www.dvdhs.com" (found on a fujifilm dvd-rw cover). I didn't check the site: I saw just now its reference, whe I picked the cover to copy here the warning! But it talks about "data loss" or even "modification or damages to the drives" !!! ????
They must be old disks. I haven't seen any warnings like that for 2 or 3 years. RW disks are now up to 8X themselves so a 1X RW disk has to be very old. I wouldn't worry about it but I'd be looking for some new disks. 1X speed disks were the very first ones available years ago.
