Customer Reviews

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

5 star:		(212)
4 star:		(64)
3 star:		(21)
2 star:		(39)
1 star:		(200)

 

 

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.

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.

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.

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.

I've been through 3 packs of these and had only 1 or 2 disks that ended up as coasters. Both of which are my fault. These disks are Great and work perfectly every time. Most of the people who are having problems are probably having a buffer error because they're computer is slow and can't keep up with all the data that's being burned to the disk. Just because the disk can Handle 8x doesn't mean your pc can. Please try burning these at 2x-4x before you go blaming the disk.

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.

UPDATE September 2010

I continue to purchase Memorex discs exclusively and have not had any burn failures. Have purchased from multiple sources and continue to have outstanding results. However, my computer uses SATA DVD burners. Possibly the hardware makes a difference?

Received package today. Immediately "backed-up" a movie. It plays beautifully in the DVD/ VCR player.

1)Analyzed and created TS folders using DVD-Shrink.
2)Created layer breaks using PGCEdit.
3)Burned disc using IMGBurn. (Changed speed from 8x to 4x because I wanted to eliminate chances for error.)

If this was a fluke and I start to see "bum" blanks, I will update to warn off prospective buyers. So far, its the best deal out there for a 50 count DVD+R DL.

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.

Update: 6 September 2009

A few hundred disks later, these are still a good value and I haven't had a coaster since I adopted 4x as my burn speed. I have tried these on all three of my computers, a macbook and two Liteon drives, and they work on all three. I presume problems are from people trying to burn faster than 4x, but it's certainly possible that some defective ones were sent out. The packaging changed recently and I haven't tried any of the new ones.

I read a bunch of reviews just like this and thought "Well they probably just had bad luck or whatever". Then i received my 50 pack Memorex double layer dvd's in the mail and got right to burning. The first 10 or so worked fine so i thought "why did all those people say they weren't working? They must've been burning them incorrectly" After that EVERYTHING went downhill. I've tried 16 dvd's since then and every one in a row crashed mid-burning and not ONE has been successful, NOT ONE! It holds 8.5 gigs and being scared that putting too much on them was the reason behind them not working, i tried only putting 6 gigs or so of data on them and STILL none work. This was absolutely the biggest waste of money i've ever spent. Forty bucks down the drain i could've spent on Verbatum, which i heard even though they're more expensive, ppl have never had problems with and it's worth every penny. Now i can't even buy those cuz i spent my money on this crap. I BEG whomever is reading this review, DO NOT BUY THESE!! Spend the extra money on Verbatum and get a guaranteed pleasant result! The ONLY reason i gave this product 1 star is because it wouldn't let me give it ZERO stars, like it deserves.

Unlike a number of brands of dual layer DVDs I've brought that do not verify properly, the Memorex DVD+R DL work reliably on my iMac.