DVD 4x versus 8x

yes, only the speed differs

I have a 16x dvd drive and 8x dvds, they read at 8x and write at 8x

But is it only the write speed?  Or the Read speed too?  What is the minimum speed to effectively read a DVD? 1x?
Is the above 1x only important for data transfer, but if I were to watch a movie from a DVD it wouldn't matter?

both, on my drive i have a 16x reive and it reads 8x media at 8x therefore
the dvd's speed determines both the read and write speed

Sorry that's DVD burner not DVD player if you are talking about writing dvd's or cd's

read and write speeds are both affected.

The 4x and 8x is the fastest speed the media has been tested to be written to.  The read speed is totally inpedendent of this.

So, there is disagreement in the opinions is what I gather.
Does anyone have any proof for or against any of their or the others' statements?

I tested it on a 16x read speed drive with 8x dvds
THe speed was that on the DVD, not that on the reader
this shows that the maxium read speed is limited to the write speed of the DVD

Absolutely NOT !!   The read speed is NOT a function of the write speed of the DVD.

Go buy yourself some 4x media -- then write it -- and then put it in a good CD/DVD drive and read it.

It will read MUCH faster than 4x.   As I noted above, DVDs are very hard to read faster than 8x or thereabouts - doesn't matter what drive you have;  and it does NOT matter what the write speed was for the media.

Burn a 2x DVD blank at 2x ==> you'll be able to read it at about 8x.

Burn a 4x DVD blank at 4x ==> you'll be able to read it at about 8x.

Burn an 8x DVD blank at 8x ==> you'll be able to read it at about 8x.

Burn a 16x DVD blank at 16x ==> you'll be able to read it at about 8x.

CD's can be read a lot "faster"  (not really - the data rate is actually slower, but the "multiple" is higher) ...

Burn a 4x CD at 4x ==> you'll be able to read it at near the rated speed of your drive.

Burn an 8x CD at 8x ==> you'll be able to read it at near the rated speed of your drive.

etc.

Get the picture ??

... but don't waste time trying to decide who to believe here.   You said "... I have two spindles of DVD+Rs 4x and 8x" ==>   So ... burn a 4x DVD at 4x;  now burn the SAME data to an 8x DVD at 8x.   (what's on the DVD can impact the speed at which it can be read -- so for this test you need to burn the SAME data to the blanks)    ... Now put the two DVDs in your DVD drive and copy them to your hard drive one-at-a-time  (erase the destination after the first copy so this test isn't impacted by the amount of free space on the drive) -- timing each copy.   You'll find the two copies take very close to the same amount of time (i.e. the read speeds are the same).

As I said before, the 4x and 8x is the fastest speed the media has been tested to be written to.  The read speed is totally inpedendent of this.
Please test your media and post your results.

if you look at the technical specs for the DVD/CD the speed advertised is the write speed.  The read speed is dependent on the reader. I don't have a link but have been doing optical media for a long time.

as the previous poster said.  try it and post your results.

MOST of us have made it pretty clear that the stated speed of the media is the WRITE speed -- and that the read speed is dependent on the drive, NOT the media.   But there are a few who don't seem to understand that.   Hopefully davidgareau (the questioner) understand -- and will confirm that both his 4x and 8x media are readable at the same speed :-)

Hey guys, thanks for the ideas, I will test them on Wednesday or Thursday when I get home and find out.... THE TRUTH IS OUT THERE.
I'm working some conferences now, so gotta go.
david

guess it also depends on the brand of the media but no major difference