Memorex 8.5GB 8X Double Layer DVD+R (50pk Spindle) Reviews

• Memorex DVD+R DL The least expensive reliable Double layer recordable DVD

  
  By A1HUPQBIXPAZ9I on 2008-02-14
  I've been shopping for the least expensive DVD+R DL online, and found this Memorex 50 pack for around $50. This seemed the best deal around only if they worked!!!
  
  I had used Verbatim Verbatim 2.4x Dual-Layer DVD+R DL Spindle, 10 Discs in the past with no problems. So It was a gamble to order this item after reading many negative reviews. After receiving this item, I started burning DVDs and had no problems at all. Every single Memorex DVD+R DL seemed to work perfectly!
  
  For those who had trouble with this item I suspect a software or hardware incompatibility issues more than a problem with these disk. I use a 17" Apple Laptop Computer (2006 model) with a G4 processor at 1.67 Ghz. The software I used to burn the DVD's is Roxio Popcorn 3.0.2 (recommended) and the hardware is the built-in Apple Super Drive.
  
  Compared to the next choice of Verbatim at $1.65 per DVD :Verbatim DVD+R DL 8.5GB 2.4X 20pk Spindle at $33 (today's price--I've noticed the price on the Verbatim to fluctuate from $32-$38- The memorex at $1.00 per Double Layer 8.5 GB is the best deal around with no quality issues.
  
  Pros:
  1-Double Layer DVD+R at 8.5 GB for a buck
  2-Silver and a handsome looking writable surface (with a permanent marker)
  3-Appears of a nice quality and no difference compared to other more expensive DVD+R DL
  4- Works fine with my Apple factory Superdrive (G4)
  5-Recorded (burned) DVD plays fine on all of my home DVD players as well as other computer drives
  
  Cons:
  None-still hoping for the price to go below a $1.00!
  PLEASE SEE UPDATE AUGUST 2008 BELOW.
  
  Conclusion: Recommended!
  Tip: (I had success with Roxio softwares-Popcorn 3)
  
  Update March 1, 2008: Amazon dropped the price to $44.99 for 50, bringing the cost down to 90 cents each-An even better deal!
  
  IMPORTANT Update-April 2, 2008: I received one 50 pack Spindle with defective DVDs, I tried only 2 with the same set up and software and computer, and I kept getting error messages and the DVDs wouldn't burn. I returned to Amazon and requested replacement. The replacement seems to work fine like the previous ones that led to this positive review.
  
  At this point, It is questionable which batch you're going to get with some "defective" sets floating around the market or perhaps not compatible with certain drives?. The only positive thing here is Amazon's amazing customer service which allowed me to exchange or return the defective ones. Other sellers may sell you the defective batch and may not accept a return once you open them and try to burn one.
  
  ***NEW UPDATE: August 27, 2008. I received two defective sets of 50 (total of 100) with the same setup mentioned above. I tried to burn every single one of them but ZERO results. Not a single one worked. I was able to burn some of the left over discs from the last order dated March 2008.
  
  AT THIS POINT I AM WITHDRAWING MY RECOMMENDATION AND REDUCING THE 5 STARS RATING TO ONE! THESE DISCS MUST HAVE A QUALITY CONTROL ISSUE. I AM SWITCHING BACK TO VERBATIM AT A HIGHER PRICE PER DVD THAT I HAD NO PROBLEMS WITH SO FAR.
  
  

• No problems with burning issues

  
  By A5NYUBEKXFLX5 on 2007-11-28
  I make and edit DVDs and burn to these. I have never had a problem with having to toss a disc because I couldn't burn to it (EXCEPTION- I did have one disc in an older pack from a previous order) that the double layers came apart. It squeaked when slightly flexed and I didn't attempt to use.)
  
  My last order of five spindles (250 discs) I have had no issues with the first 150 discs. I am not expecting problems with the remaining 100 discs either. I use these for my business and cannot afford to have disc burning issues. I have been happy with this purchase. I just keep waiting for prices to drop on the DL discs.
  
  If you experience problems, or before you order, ENSURE you hardware supports these discs. Ensure your driver is up to date.
  
  

• fast when they burn

  
  By A21NQ5G7THR5QV on 2007-10-16
  These burn in about a third of the time that the 2.4x discs burn in.
  But so far only about 1 out of 3 or 4 burn without aborting
  in my new pioneer drive using DVDX platinum or Nero (a free version).
  So although the price has come down finally on these 8x discs.
  They seem to be useless. Since rereading and trying to burn again
  is making them take much longer than the 2.4 speed discs plus it is actually costing me much more (due to tossing discs out one after another just threw 2 in arow out so now I'll use a 2.4x disc and it will burn just fine after wasting 2hrs trying to burn on an 8x disc. Maybe my drive just went bad after a month or two? Some seem to work just fine 8 gig in about 15 mins but only a few so far. Update 11/11/07 They won't let me change my rating (three stars now)Got new drives and staging to hard drive to let drives rest. Having MUCH better luck maybe the drives can't handle the speed really? So faster but wouldn't burn more than one or two in a row to the same drive unless you know your drive can handle the speed/heat. I remember reading somewhere that a recent Sony drive said something about letting it rest or cool down and I thought that was weird now it makes more sense.
  
  

• About 60% failed while burning

  
  By A3GAY5VH2LDFWK on 2008-04-23
  I bought these for the same reason many people did which is the price seemed right. I am burning with DVD-Cloner and about 60% of the burns failed. I even upgraded to a newer version of the software thinking it may have been a software issue but I got the same results. Try different DL DVD's. The low price isn't really that low once you consider that about half the product will be wasted.
  
  

• Try to avoid and here is why

  
  By A33DQZ2JE1X1NP on 2008-04-21
  As title suggests those disks are not good and should be avoided. Memorex used to be good and cheap dual layer solution, but not anymore. Older Memorex media were made by CMC Magnetics (Philips), while the batch I got is made by Ritek. After reading reviews posted here I would assume everyone else got Memorex made by Ritek or something just as bad.
  
  Most burners have problems burning second layer of these disks. You would get a failure as soon as second layer is started. This could be fixed by upgrading drive firmware, if one is available. My BenQ1655 cannot burn second layer on those DVD. Samsung either fails randomly during burn or fails Nero verify after burn is complete.
  
  If you burner is able to burn second layer, try burning on lowest speed possible (2.4x) as disk quality does not allow burns at 8x. 2.4x is slow, but at least you would avoid another coaster. In general, try to avoid these.
  
  For dual layer media try either Verbatim or buy in respectable retail store. If first three burns come out coaster pack entire box and return it to the store. I wonder how long would it take BestBuy to remove this junk completely from their inventory.
  
  Note: "DVD Identifier" can be used to verify who is the real manufacturer of media.
  
  
• Just take it slow...
  By A1RSWP80RKNLXT on 2007-11-29
  I was a bit worried when I bought these disks, having read the negative reviews. And, sure enough, the first burn made it only halfway. So, reflecting that the new thing about the disks is their speed rating, I slowed the burn down to 4X for the second try. I've burned three at 4X with no problems. In conclusion, if the first one fails, maybe your hardware or software isn't really ready for 8X. Just slow it down. The disks are (apparently) fine.
  
  
• Good if you're to to date
  By A2HH0KISFN5NH2 on 2007-12-14
  These discs burned fine, I have already burned 15 at 8x and had no problem. My firmware is up to date, before the firmware the first 2 I burned, only one worked, so I think it's more of a firmware issue. I have always had the best luck with the Memorex DL discs, and these are just as good. Try it slower or upgrade firmware for your burner.
  
  
• Works Perfect... If you're Intelligent...
  By A243APPISJP5XU on 2008-06-02
  I have made several DVD movies with these discs as well as other brands... As with blank CD media... you CANNOT, I repeat, CANNOT burn at max speed!!! You WILL get coasters if you do. Burn these at 2.4x and you get a perfect burn, usually. The only way you won't is if the software is bad or if the drive itself fails. Some drives, like mine can burn at 4x AND 6x as well... I did not try these speeds, because it worked on the 2.4x speed... If you test out the intermediate speeds on YOUR burner, then go ahead... no promises... but don't do max speed... you are just asking for a coaster...
  
  
• One out of three
  By A3TK2OPALYKQRN on 2008-01-23
  Every third disk will actually work. The first two fail to start or either fail at mid burn. Worst experience I have ever had with disks. The smaller Memorex cakeboxes(25)I have used did not have this problem.
  
  
• These are Ritek disks - POOR QUALITY
  By A2EMXY9G4745Y3 on 2008-02-07
  I use SONY DRU-840A burner hardware and Nero 7 software to burn DVDs. Using this combination, all 4 of 4 burns I tried failed. Has anyone had any success using this combo? Turns out that these disks are actually made by Ritek (as shown by the Disk info option in Nero).
  
  
• A Waste of Time and Money
  By A3K4FGJDRCJKTM on 2008-03-12
  I bought a spindle of Memorex DLs based solely on the price. I was aware of the bad reviews, but I just could not justify paying nearly $2 per Verbatim DL disc when I could split movies or burn data on 2 single-layer discs for less than 20 cents a disc (or 40 cents compared to $2 for the same capacity). A costly mistake to buy these.
  
  Out of 20 discs, less than half even burned successfully. The bad burns would fail as it started writing to the second layer. On the successful burns, the discs would stutter and freeze in my DVD player when it started playing the second layer (yes, I can tell where the layer break is). People touting successful burns with Memorex mean nothing! And I don't have the time to run PI/PO error checks or even watch every movie or video that I burn! The worst feeling in the world is watching a burned DVD a month later and finding glitches knowing that your original recording is long gone from your PC.
  
  My advice is to stay away from Memorex at all costs. If you factor in a conservative 25% fail rate with Memorex, you'll see that it's cheaper to just buy Verbatim. This doesn't even account for the wasted time or the value of your movies or irreplaceable personal videos. If you are just burning data, stick with cheaper, more reliable single-layer media. I personally would never use any DLs to archive important data files. Just because you've owned commercial DVDs for a decade now means nothing. Keep in mind that those DVD-9 double layers are not even burned on a chemical dye which degrades over time but pressed.
  
  
• Coasters, coasters...
  By ABGXKK0BQ3S85 on 2007-11-20
  Have a couple of stable machines that will burn DL discs sucessfully, never had any coasters until these. Have not sucessfully burned one of these out of numerous tries on more than one of my systems(have burned more than a hundred of the 2.4x versions). I'd stay away.
  
  
• Good value, just keep it at 4x or less
  By AMP9GOQWJAGIZ on 2007-12-29
  Compared to Verbatim 2.4 DL disks, these are much more reliable. I use a LiteOn SATA burner and keep it at 4x and have no problems. I do dislike the label surface as it has little stars on it, but no biggie, just write right over them. Given the price, these are the best deal going.
  
  
• good value dual layer DVD
  By A19I6IE5EAW6FM on 2008-01-07
  I bought these and have them burning off of a quad core computer with 4 gigs RAM, and a 10,000 RPM Raptor hard drive. With all this I still get failed burn rates on both of my burners, which are both rated to burn dual layer media at 8X. When I lower the speed to 4X or even 6X though they do seam to burn and work just fine. 6X is still quite an improvement from 2.4X. And they were a fantastic price for dual layer media. I would still have to say, if you have a decent PC, these are a good deal. But dont use them at the full 8X burn setting. At least do a test run if you insist on doing them at 8X first. But even at 6X at under a dollar a disk for dual layer media you cant go wrong as 8.5 gigs a disc is so much more usefull then single layer media.
  
  
• Terrible, not worth the plastic their made of!!!!
  By A9Q3NNE34TUI5 on 2008-01-28
  I ordered these discs because of the great price despite some of the bad reviews because I figured that even if half the discs didn't write I would still have gotten an alright deal. Big mistake. Ive tried over 30 of the 50 discs at this point and not a single one has written all the way to the end. About four of them got to the second layer before they failed, but none succeeded. I even tried writing at a slower speed to see if that would help, No luck. So everyone stay away from these discs.
  
  
• Fails second Layer
  By AHPQGDH5BWLOQ on 2008-02-03
  Every time it tries to burn the 2nd layer the drive will jsut hang. Never had this problem until this media, switched to Verbatim DL and no problems.
  
  
• DON'T BUY THIS PRODUCT
  By A8BX0CX3SR21T on 2008-02-11
  None of my 50 DVD write; I try on 3 diff drives. This is the first time I have issue with DVD. It is a DEFECTED PRODUCT!!!!
  
  
• Junk
  By A1MT6JQ3OUJUU9 on 2008-02-12
  I hate these disks. I've always used memorex double layer dvd's with a 100% success rate, but these new high speed ones are different. I'm using a sony dru-820a burner. At first the disk couldn't be read at all, so i updated the firmware. It read the disk after that, but the only speed it can use is 2.4 times which is just too slow. If you can find them, i suggest getting the memorex double layers that come in the red packaging. Memorex 8.5Gb/ 2.4x DVD+R Dual Layer (25-Pack Spindle)I never once had a problem with those. The new high speed ones are just terrible. At about $1 a disk it's a great value, but you really do get what you pay for.
  
  
• Worst choice ever.
  By A2S9EWP6WSJTB5 on 2008-02-18
  So when I bought these I thought I was getting a great deal on DL dvds. To bad out of the first six I have attempted to burn 1 has burned without issues. Go to newegg or tigerdirect and you will read that these discs just don't work. This is a terrible product and should not be purchased ever. I feel like my 50 dollars was put to waste.
  
  
• Good Deal
  By A2KR5QU1W8TBXL on 2007-11-19
  I've burned 28 discs with only one coaster. Most of these were burned at 6X on a Samsung 18X burner, which cannot burn a DL faster than 6X.
  
  
• Look for your firmware and DVD burner
  By A173UWGYVJRAWM on 2007-11-26
  I have a Memorex double layer recorder, I have this one for just one year, I did burn like 500 dvd's with that. In my life of recording media (like 10 years) i saw many formats, and many recorders, in this case that Memorex DVD DL works great, in change with Sony I have write 2 of ten disc... is matter you see if you recorder have no troubles, by the price and the successfully records is the best option for me. Is not mean don't works.
  
  I did test it in a memorex, Samsung and Lite-on recorders with no errors, having the nero, roxio, and elby software.
  
  
  
• Frisbee free burns
  By A10L41EIRGYZKA on 2007-12-29
  This media works fine for burning, used in an internal and a USB burner, any coaster issues I had have been related to the burning software and data being burnt, the price is right at the moment.
  
  
• These DVD's seem to fail to burn accurately on the second layer.
  By A3JFAO08P1F84 on 2008-01-01
  I have burned about 5 of these DVD's and I have not been able to get a good copy. I haven't had problems with other DVD's I used in the past. My burner is a new La Cie and Roxio Popcorn is proven software. Initially I burned one at 8x but that failed so I tried 4x on the others and they failed also. I don't have the option of 2x so I can't comment on that. Although I have no way of confirming it, I believe they are failing as they begin burning the second layer
  
  
• Just fine
  By AXBVW20Z0ZU31 on 2008-01-12
  This product is just fine if you are not in a rush, it does not however respond to the 8X as stated, I tried video and data using Nero Ultimate 8, and 4X works fine, either on a Pioneer or Compusa internal Burner.
  
  
• Stay Away
  By A1TW9A2WWWJIPU on 2008-01-18
  Memorex 32025732 DVD+R 8x Double Layer 50 Pack Spindle
  Decided to purchase these because they were under $1 a piece and the Memorex name is well known. After two months I have 60% of these DVD/DL fail to burn. I tried lowering the burn from 4x to 2.4x used Sony and Dell burners and nothing I could do makes a difference. Nero identified the manufacturer of these DVDs as Ritek Ridata Media, so Memorex is selling them under their name and marking them up because you can get Ritek Ridata Media for about $0.26 per DVD/DL.
  My advice go and purchase Verbatim as I have had 100% success burning DVD/DL so far. In the long run it is cheaper and saves you time to use a reliable brand like verbatim even if it is twice the price.
  
  
• Defective DVD's!
  By A2JDAPYJIYYIPU on 2008-02-02
  Maybe it's my bad luck that I got a bum lot, but these discs record right up to the last few seconds, then spit out of the recorder. Then they won't play back. I've purchased the same brand at local stores and never had this problem before. At first I thought it might be a problem with my machine, but when I went and bought a small pack from the store, they worked fine. Put one of these from amazon in right behind one of the good ones, and it spit out again. I thought I was getting a bargain, but unfortunately I didn't get around to trying them until the return deadline had already passed, so my $72+ just went down the drain! At this price, it's too risky to try again, at least in a large quantity. Double layers are still way too expensive, so I'll just have to hunt around town for them to go on sale from now on.
  
  
• Unpredictable!
  By A3H18KIDPI33ZT on 2008-02-13
  I originally bought two 50 packs. The first 50 worked great with no problems. When I used the second 50 pack I experienced about 20 coasters. I would recommend buying the verbatim discs even though they are initially more expensive. The memorex discs are a great value when you get a good batch, but can be equally or more expensive than the verbatim if you get a lot of coasters. For the sake of time and sanity buy the verbatim.
  
  
• Works great on Intel Dual Core iMac running OS 10.4.11
  By A1I7M5OG1RXMQL on 2008-02-17
  I've burned about a dozen of these so far, with 100% success rate, using the built-in Superdrive on my Intel Dual Core iMac, with Toast Titanium 8.0.3 as the burn program.
  
  One word of warning, though... if you plan to use these for extended play or higher definition DVDs, be aware that NOT ALL DVD PLAYERS recognize them. We have two DVD players in our house, both from Pioneer, and they run flawlessly on one while on the other (the older of the two) they stall and sputter. The one that runs them was a $25 special, so it's not a question of high-end vs. low-end players (the other one was about $30, but it's two years old now, compared to the other one, which was purchased in November 2007).
  
  Therefore, if you have a newer Macintosh and use Toast Titanium 8.0, you can almost certainly count on these discs burning cleanly; with Windows machines it seems to be something of a crapshoot, based on the other reviews (too many system variables to make any sort of predictions).
  
  
• Good price, rarely burn correctly
  By A3RJMFAS2MC957 on 2008-02-23
  I have about a 25% success rate (maybe worse) with these. I'm using a Plextor SATA 8xx series burner, with the latest firmware. I guess it's not worth the money when they don't work 75% of the time. Maybe they work great for other drives, but if you have a plextor, avoid these.
  
  I have great luck with Verbatim +R DL and MAM-A single layer discs, pretty much 100% success. These ones are for the birds.
  
  
  
  
• A fine disc but read reviews first
  By A337LMTWBOL75P on 2008-04-02
  Just started using these disc and made a few coasters. I am using Nero and a Sony 20x DL Burner.
  
  the key is this.....DO NOT try and burn at 8x
  
  If you set it up for max read and 4x burn you will have your new disc in 30 minutes. If you run a 8x you will have a coaster in 20 minutes (or less) and you will THEN be setting it up for 4x and getting a disc in the above 30 minutes.....your choice
  
  all in all a fine disc and if you can hit it right when it is below a dollar a disc I would stock up
  
  again I know people are stubborn and want to see it for themselves, so go ahead and try and burn at 8x but when it fails understand that it wasnt an accident or something you did.....it cant burn at that speed. Only waste ONE disc for your own piece of mind...not 3 like I did.
  
  

• Memorex DVD+R 16x 4.7GB 100 Pack Spindle
• Verbatim DVD+R DL 8.5GB 2.4X 20pk Spindle
• TDK 16X DVD+R 100PK Spindle
• Sony DRX840U 20x External Dual-Layer DVD Burner
• TDK 4.7GB 16x DVD-R (100-Pack Spindle)