Difference between LG GSA-4040b and HL GSA-4040b?

[Espen]

I just found out that I have a Hitachi-LG (HL) GSA-4040b burner. Is there any diiference compared to the LG GSA-4040b?

I saw that the latest firmware for my burner was 1.12a and the latest for the LG was 302a so I guees these to burner aren't exact the same.......

[karhooi]

Could it be one is OEM and another is retail?
As long as i know, 1.12a is for OEM and 302a is for retail. There is a difference between OEM and retail firmware version.

[temistocle69]

Hi! I have (apparently) the same recorder as you. Do you know if is possible tu upgrade firmware version A301 without problems?

[MysticE]

How is it identified in DVDInfo Pro or Device Manager?

Mine shows as HL-DT-ST DVDRAM GSA-4040B and has been updated to A302 . With the A302 firmware the drive now performs well.

[temistocle69]

It's definetly mine writer (windows XP device manager identifies it).
Did you upgrade w/o problems? What's new about A302 firmware?
:P

[MysticE]

The A302 firmware is a must, no problems flashing (I would have it set as Master on it's channel). Helps with compatabilty with 4X media (although the 2X RitekG03's are my favs) and a few bug fixes. Also if you use it for a source audio drive it now scores a '10' on Nero's DAE test, but as an audio burner it still is not up to par.

It now burns 4x RitekG04's, DVDPro's (id as Princo) and BeALLS nicely. Many seem to complain, but the spindle of RitekG03's I've been using have produced zero coasters and I always burn direct (on the fly). Both my reader and burner on on the same channel.

[oldfart13]

302 isn't perfect. My LG 4040B burns Maxell +R (Ricoh) 4X at a maximum of 1.6X! Pretty poor IMHO....

[zod5000]

if you're burning 1.6x onto a 4x disc.. that might not be a burner problem?

that sounds like the drives not getting fed the information fast enough.

the problem with the 4040b is that when you put a fair amount of 4x discs in the drive would only give permission to burn them at 2x. so no matter what burning program you used.. you'd only get the option of 2x.

as the new firmwares have come out.. they've added more compatibility for more and more 4x discs.

but if you're burning at 1.6x on a 4x I'd get the feeling your having more then just a problem with the drive.

you should make sure you'e got everything running in DMA mode and not PIO mode.. cause it really sounds like you're having a dataflow problem.

[oldfart13]

Maxell 4X -R burn fine at 4X. Ripping speeds are 2X - 8X+. I don't thinkit's a data transfer problem. My Pioneer A05 burns the Maxell -R at 4X. It's definitely a drive problem or it doesn't like that Ricoh Japan media...

[oldfart13]

Been doing some tests and it does appear to be a drive and/or media problem. Used DVD Decryptor 3.1.9.0, Nero 5.5.10.54, Stomp 4.6. All the software burn the 4X -R at the correct speed (4X) but the +R are definitely under 2X. Time to switch to another 4X +R brand and do some more tests. I have the LG and the Pioneer A05 in the same comp but on different buses (one is on my mobo bus, the other on an additional controller bus). The speed of data transfer is definitely there as ripping using the LG is much faster than using the Pioneer. I didn't think the LG would be this picky, especially when using good quality media...

[zod5000]

I won't doubt you're problem. The 4040b comes up with the wierdest problems. My big one is.. on my 100 pack of ridata ritek 4x dvd-r's about 80 percent won't burn at 4x. the Burner just freezes at the beginning of the burn. doesn't burn anything. worked fine on my last batch.. maxell's seem to work ok. so its just this batch.. they work fine at 2x.

LG is really quirky.. don't think i'll buy an LG again