Quick CD-R question

[Floppyman]

Hi all,

I have a couple files that are bigger than 700mb that I wanted to burn to a cd-r, so I'm thinking of getting some cdr media that can hold more (i.e. like 800mb discs). My question is, do you have to have software update or burner update to use these (as opposed to normal 700mb or less cdr's), or can I just pop them in and burn away? Sorry, this is probably a stupid question, but I thought I'd ask anyway. TIA.

[Floppyman]

I did a bit of research, and it looks like you'll need software and a burner that supports overburning to use these discs. I was looking at www.allmediaoutlet.com, for the cdr's. I use Nero and a LiteOn 48x burner, and it appears that both support overburning. If I use these bigger discs, can I play them back in standard cd players without problems then? Does anyone know of any other places that sell this higher capacity media? Thanks again.

[RJ]

Hi,

yep, Nero and your burner support overburning (I believe all semi-new CD burners do, even mine (PlexWriter 12/10/32A) does).
I used a few of the 800 MB discs, and so far I had no problem reading them in other CD and DVD drives. Haven't tried to read the disc in the old 8x CD-ROM yet, this would sure be interesting.

Haven'd tried the 99 min (850 MB ?) media yet.

When you want to burn you will notice that Nero (or any other burning program) recognizes the media as 700 MB ones. That's normal, as only the overburn option allows you to use the additional 100 MB. Just for your information.

RJ

[Floppyman]

Thanks RJ,

Is there actually an option you have to set for Nero to allow overburning (if so, where is it?), or does it automatically overburn? Thanks again.

[RJ]

Hi,

since I use WinOnCD and haven't overburned with Nero I can't tell you how Nero does it, but it should be similar.
In WinOnCD I select my 800 MB of data and click on "burn". WinOnCD will tell me that the amount of my data is more than the CD's capacity. With a click on "OK" WinOnCD will start overburning, as far as it gets.

RJ

[Floppyman]

Thanks RJ,

Reason I was asking was because I burned a 703mb file onto a 700mb cdr using nero today, and I didn't have to check anything. Then again, maybe that was too close to 700mb so it didn't matter, I don't know.

[RJ]

I think a 700 MB CD has something like 703 or 705 MB (Nero will show you the capacity). For that you don't need overburning.
Anyway the overburning option is in file > settings > expert settings. There you can activate it. Since I have no 800 MB CD here I couldn't test it now. But you know you can always only make a simulation

RJ

[Floppyman]

Hi RJ,

How far do you think a standard 700mb can be overburned, if at all? Thanks again.

[RJ]

Depends on the brand of the CD. About 5 to 10 MB I believe.

RJ

[Tuf]

It's trial and error. Different media seems to have different characteristics. I have exceeded the capacity just a little bit and have it ruin the whole last track of an audio CD. I have made some that are way over capacity that work fine in my computer and home stereo but won't play in our vehicle's factory player.