Super drive can read factory discs but not burned discs

[poiihy]

If I insert a factory CD/DVD (like a mac os x install disk or a movie, these disks are usually silver colored), it works. But if I install a burned disk (homemade) it does not work. A burned CD appears as a blank CD, allowing me to burn over the data. A burned DVD will be tried to be read but then be ejected. What is wrong?

 

[Intell]

Your drive is failing or the lens is dirty. Try a lens cleaner disc. If that does not fix the problem, the drive will have to be replaced.

 

[poiihy]

Your drive is failing or the lens is dirty. Try a lens cleaner disc. If that does not fix the problem, the drive will have to be replaced.

Wow that was fast

What is the difference between a factory disk and a burned disk? It is odd that it can read factory disks but not burned disks, I would think a dirty lens could not read any DVD but can read any CD, or not even any CD.

 

[Intell]

A factory disc is pressed and has a sharper easier to see 1/0 patter to see than a burnt disc.

 

[Nermal]

I would think a dirty lens could not read any DVD but can read any CD, or not even any CD.

It's to do with the materials used. I had a dying drive that would read blue-surfaced CD-Rs but not green ones.

Edit: And because pressed is better, as noted by Intell