DVD recorder drives keep increasing in “speed” and yet the recordable DVD blanks do not increase in recording speed. As far as DVD discs go 16x is the maximum speed.  Higher outer zone speeds can be achieved but the savings in time is of little significance unless the disc is completely utilized.  Recordable DVD blanks, like CD blanks are ‘burned’ from the center outwards.  The recording drive reads the disc manufacturer code and uses a ‘write strategy’ for that DVD recordable.  The DVD  recordable is zoned so that the disc is only recording at 4x in the center, increasing in speed till it finally reaches maximum speed on the outside band of the recordable disc.

Does speed matter in a DVD Duplicator?

A DVD duplicator that can burn at up to 24x needs recordable DVDs that can maintain that speed, even if it is the last Gig of the disc. We have seen the increase in drive speeds independent of recordable disc technology.  It is possible to burn a DVD at a higher speed then the recordable DVD is certified for but it can go only so far.  We have seen an increase from the maximum recording speed of 16x to 18x, 20x,22x and now 24x. It serves little purpose to the end user unless they want to say ‘it goes to eleven’.