i realize this question has probably been asked a million times here, but oh well...this makes a million +1 i guess : )

Software
AnyDVD: 6.0.3.1
CloneDVD2: 2.8.9.9
I always keep the software updated, but have never changed any of the default settings in CloneDVD/AnyDVD

Burner:
Lite-On DVDRW SOHW-812S
Firmware Version: US0S

Burn Speed:
When i first started, i burned movies at max speed but every one of them skipped - dropped my speed down to 2-2.4x in clonedvd and have not had any problems since...until now


Media / Results:
Memorex 8x - DVD+R - 4.7GB - 120 min.
Used these forever without any problems (burning at 2-2.4x in clonedvd)...but recently have been producing DVDz that skip/freeze anywhere from 1 hour in to 1 hour 20 min. into playing...Sometimes it skips/freezes and hangs for a second, then continues...other times it freezes up entirely and won't resume


after having this problem more than once, I recently tried the following alternative media:

Memorex DVD-R 8x, 4.7GB, 120 min.
bought a 5-pack...very first disk failed to finish the burn - CloneDVD reported bad media error


Sony DVD+R 1x-6x, 4.7GB, 120 min.
Successfully burned two DVDz, but both of them produced the same type of skips/freezes described in the Memorex section above

I know the common answer/reason usually has to do with the media, but does anyone have any other ideas what might be causing this? Something to do with one of the clonedvd/anydvd software updates? A change in the way the manufacturer makes their media? (in this case, the Memorex 8x, 4.7GB - they worked perfectly for a long time, but only recently have i had problems)....i'm clueless as to what to try next...