Specifically speaking, we are talking about a disc that overtime has the least amount of noise (jitter). More noise there is, harder the optical drive to retrieve data from the disc. Because recordable disc uses phase changing dye as opposed to gaps + bumps on pressed/-ROM disc, a poor quality recordable disc has more impact on readability than pressed disc.
You can only connect HDD to Slim PS2 via soldering if it is SCPH-70xxx series. Sony removed IDE contact point on subsequent PS2 Slim revisions. I do believe a few PS2 modchips can act like an ODE but need an accessory PCB which are hard to find.
As for SMB stuttering, I do believe SP193 (developer of FMCB) once talked about it. I have to go look around.
Anyone can still help me ?
Have you tried that other burner you mentioned?
