[ARSCLIST] CD writing speed

[Tom Fine <tflists@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

As I understand it, and I might be wrong but I've read this in several different places, modern 
media is optimized for faster burn speeds. I think 8x or 16x is often mentioned. I use Plextor 
dirves and have them set to use the fastest optimum speed. Even on my new computer (Dell E510 with 
fast hard drives, SATA RAID, fast memory and fast system bus), no 48x disc has ever burned at 48x. 
They usually burn more like 24x or 30x. I've never had a problem nor has a client ever had a problem 
with burned discs from me, so I don't worry about it too much. Using the Plextor software, 
commerical aluminum discs usually scan out with more errors than my burned discs -- not sure if this 
is a reflection (pun intended) on the software or on how well or not commercial discs age.

I, too, have read and heard that 1x is non-ideal due to vibrations that can (can, can -- not will) 
destabilize the disc enough to cause more errors. In my experience the best coaster-eliminator was 
the invention of Burn-Proof technology. Since I got rid of my last early-generation burner a few 
years ago, the coaster rate around here is very low and is due to software glitches 90+% of the 
time. At the office, where we mass-dupe hundreds of CDR's a year, scrached media/bad QC is the main 
coaster-culprit but our coaster rate is very low and our returned-by-customer rate is even lower.

CDR media is quite a modern miracle. I agree very much that one needs to be more selective and 
critical with it for archival purposes, and it will be interesting to read this list in 50 years and 
see how it all works out, but for day-to-day use I have found it probably the most convenient and 
reliable portable media ever.

-- Tom Fine