Dwb,
I have used several media from Maxprint I think that it is a marginal one, does not worked to me and I used 8X, 4X and 2X but with the same error. Using a media from Maxell which I bought some years ago(5 or more) I get a message that the media could not run because were not possible to do the verification of the burning process, but works I could see the video which I have had burned.
So your first explanation is correct, although the media Maxprint is a new one but not so good as Maxell( I think so)
Regarding the lens cleaner could you suggest some?
A failing DVD drive it is possible but since 2010 up to now I used it at least 50 times.