neblackford

A quick update: After a grey-hair-inducing run-around with one failed hdd (definitely learned the backup-your-files lesson) and unpacking a lone .iso file to recover source media (thank you ISO Opener), I figured out a way around all this mess: Instead of creating an .iso file from Pinnacle 14 to then write via ImgBurn, I used the Video_TS folder extracted from the .iso file I had created. Under normal circumstances I was about to write a Video_TS folder by way of Pinnacle, but my situation required that I extract it from the only .iso I had remaining due to the borked hdd. Either way, when trying to burn to my TDK (Ritek-S04-66) DL media, I received a different error. This one humorously included a reference to the end of the world. From there I was able to find this lovely thread: How to deal with 'The End of the World' problem By using the suggested VOB Blanker (link) I was able to create a layer break within the necessary parameters of ImgBurn (gleaning the sector range the break must occur between and ensuring that the first layer is larger than the second). The first burn (at 4x speed) using my TDK Ritek-S04-66 media was a success, and I'm happy that I did not, in fact, flush $20 down the toilet. I hope this helps somebody in the future!

I used Pinnacle Studio 14 to create multiple dual-layer iso files for a 2-DVD seminar set. I purchased a cake of 20 TDK 8.5GB DVDs, ignorant of the vast discrepancies in media quality that I have only stumbled upon. The purpose of this post is to make sure I am well and truly farked due to the media I chose. **Note: all burn attempts took place at 4x speed** Media information Disc Information: Status: Empty State of Last Session: Empty Erasable: No Free Sectors: 4,173,824 Free Space: 8,547,991,552 bytes Free Time: 927:32:74 (MM:SS:FF) Next Writable Address: 0 MID: RITEK-S04-66 Supported Write Speeds: 4x, 8x My initial attempt to burn turned up the following error: "Optimal L1 Data Zone Start LBA: None Found! (VTS_01) This image has not been mastered correctly for burning onto a double-layer (OTP Track Path) disc. None of the cells meet the 'DVD-Video specification' criteria for a potential layer break position." Research revealed that I needed to rebuild the iso file and thereby create an .mds file. Using the .mds file, my second attempt resulted in 20 attempts (and failures) due to "W 11:06:11 Retry Failed - Reason: Power Calibration Area Error" I apologize for not including that log. I was unaware at the time of the importance placed on including it. After finding your FAQ on dual layer burns, I upgraded the firmware for my LG burner from IN00 to IN01 via ImgBurn's upgrade interface (www.firmwarehq.com). After rebooting, and using the .mds file, I still had the same 20 attempts (and failures) punctuated by an error message that states the SK interpretation to be medium error, and the ASC/ASCQ interpretation to be power calibration area error. I was given a choice to retry or cancel, whereupon I simply canceled the process. After being asked to run the finalize/close disc process, I got this error: "Finalise Disc Failed! Device: [my cd/dvd burner...] Reason: Cannot Format Medium - Incompatible Medium" To which I clicked "Continue". The log, in its entirety, for the final attempt: I 12:05:09 ImgBurn Version 2.5.8.0 started! I 12:05:09 Microsoft Windows 7 Ultimate x64 Edition (6.1, Build 7601 : Service Pack 1) I 12:05:09 Total Physical Memory: 6,289,912 KiB - Available: 3,295,208 KiB I 12:05:09 Initialising SPTI... I 12:05:09 Searching for SCSI / ATAPI devices... I 12:05:09 -> Drive 1 - Info: HL-DT-ST DVDRAM GH24NS90 IN01-13 (E:) (ATA) I 12:05:09 Found 1 DVD±RW/RAM! I 12:05:15 Operation Started! I 12:05:15 Source File: G:\Users\***.mds I 12:05:15 Source File Sectors: 3,912,761 (MODE1/2048) I 12:05:15 Source File Size: 8,013,334,528 bytes I 12:05:15 Source File Volume Identifier: KM - Day 1 I 12:05:15 Source File Volume Set Identifier: 632322424632322424PCLE Library I 12:05:15 Source File Application Identifier: PCLE UDFLib 3.4.18.0 I 12:05:15 Source File Implementation Identifier: PCLE UDFLib 3.4.18.0 I 12:05:15 Source File File System(s): ISO9660, UDF (1.02) I 12:05:15 Destination Device: [3:1:0] HL-DT-ST DVDRAM GH24NS90 IN01 (E:) (ATA) I 12:05:15 Destination Media Type: DVD+R DL (Disc ID: RITEK-S04-66) I 12:05:15 Destination Media Supported Write Speeds: 4x, 8x I 12:05:15 Destination Media Sectors: 4,173,824 I 12:05:15 Destination Media L0 Data Zone Capacity: 2,086,912 (Changeable: Yes) I 12:05:15 Write Mode: DVD I 12:05:15 Write Type: DAO I 12:05:15 Write Speed: 4x I 12:05:15 DVD+R DL Reserve Track: No I 12:05:15 Link Size: Auto I 12:05:15 Lock Volume: Yes I 12:05:15 Test Mode: No I 12:05:15 OPC: No I 12:05:15 BURN-Proof: Enabled I 12:05:15 Write Speed Successfully Set! - Effective: 5,540 KB/s (4x) I 12:05:15 Book Type Setting: DVD-ROM I 12:05:15 Optimal L0 Data Zone Capacity: 1,956,512 I 12:05:15 Optimal L0 Data Zone Method: Copied From Original Disc I 12:05:15 Set L0 Data Zone Capacity Succeeded! I 12:05:15 L0 Data Zone Capacity - Effective: 1,956,512 I 12:05:15 Filling Buffer... (80 MiB) I 12:05:15 Writing LeadIn... W 12:05:51 Failed to Write Sectors 0 - 31 - Reason: Power Calibration Area Error W 12:05:51 Retrying (1 of 20)... W 12:06:12 Retry Failed - Reason: Power Calibration Area Error W 12:06:12 Retrying (2 of 20)... W 12:06:33 Retry Failed - Reason: Power Calibration Area Error W 12:06:33 Retrying (3 of 20)... W 12:06:54 Retry Failed - Reason: Power Calibration Area Error W 12:06:54 Retrying (4 of 20)... W 12:07:15 Retry Failed - Reason: Power Calibration Area Error W 12:07:15 Retrying (5 of 20)... W 12:07:35 Retry Failed - Reason: Power Calibration Area Error W 12:07:35 Retrying (6 of 20)... W 12:07:56 Retry Failed - Reason: Power Calibration Area Error W 12:07:56 Retrying (7 of 20)... W 12:08:17 Retry Failed - Reason: Power Calibration Area Error W 12:08:17 Retrying (8 of 20)... W 12:08:38 Retry Failed - Reason: Power Calibration Area Error W 12:08:38 Retrying (9 of 20)... W 12:08:59 Retry Failed - Reason: Power Calibration Area Error W 12:08:59 Retrying (10 of 20)... W 12:09:20 Retry Failed - Reason: Power Calibration Area Error W 12:09:20 Retrying (11 of 20)... W 12:09:41 Retry Failed - Reason: Power Calibration Area Error W 12:09:41 Retrying (12 of 20)... W 12:10:02 Retry Failed - Reason: Power Calibration Area Error W 12:10:02 Retrying (13 of 20)... W 12:10:23 Retry Failed - Reason: Power Calibration Area Error W 12:10:23 Retrying (14 of 20)... W 12:10:44 Retry Failed - Reason: Power Calibration Area Error W 12:10:44 Retrying (15 of 20)... W 12:11:05 Retry Failed - Reason: Power Calibration Area Error W 12:11:05 Retrying (16 of 20)... W 12:11:26 Retry Failed - Reason: Power Calibration Area Error W 12:11:26 Retrying (17 of 20)... W 12:11:47 Retry Failed - Reason: Power Calibration Area Error W 12:11:47 Retrying (18 of 20)... W 12:12:09 Retry Failed - Reason: Power Calibration Area Error W 12:12:09 Retrying (19 of 20)... W 12:12:30 Retry Failed - Reason: Power Calibration Area Error W 12:12:30 Retrying (20 of 20)... W 12:12:51 Retry Failed - Reason: Power Calibration Area Error E 12:16:10 Failed to Write Sectors 0 - 31 - Reason: Power Calibration Area Error I 12:16:10 Synchronising Cache... I 12:16:20 Closing Track... I 12:16:21 Finalising Disc... W 12:16:21 Finalise Disc Failed! - Reason: Cannot Format Medium - Incompatible Medium W 12:17:33 Finalise Disc Failed! - Reason: Cannot Format Medium - Incompatible Medium E 12:17:33 Failed to Write Image! E 12:17:33 Operation Failed! - Duration: 00:12:18 I 12:17:33 Average Write Rate: N/A - Maximum Write Rate: N/A Further research turned up that Ritek-S04-66, while not particularly superb media, still appears to fall into the category of 'decent'. Is there something obvious I am missing, or am I knackered by Ritek-S04-66? Thanks for the help.