LG 4040b - Problems With 4x Media??

[MicoMan]

I bought the LG writer at Xmas and has worked well with all media.

I normally use "DataSafe" 4x media which work well but I saw some cheaper "Nanja" 4x media.

I had used the same make of 2x media before in my Panasonic E50 with good results so thought the 4x would be as good.

I have found that Nero will only let me burn at 2x so thought I needed a firmware update to burn at 4x. I have just updated to A303 but it still only sees the media as 2x??

Is there any way around this problem or do I need to return the discs?

Info below


Unique Disc Identifier : [DVD-R:NANYA-JC001 ]
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
Disc Type : [DVD-R]
Manufacturer ID : [NANYA-JC001 ]
Disc Application Code : [Unrestricted Use : Consumer Purpose]
Recording Speeds : [1x - 2x - 4x]
Blank Disc Capacity : [2,298,496 Sectors = 4,489.3 MB = 4.38 GB]
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
[DVD Identifier - http://DVD.Identifier.CDfreaks.com]
--------------------------------------------------------------------------

** INFO : An Empty Writable Disc Is Recommended For Accurate Results
** INFO : HL-DT-ST DVDRAM GSA-4040B [FW A303]
** INFO : [DVD-R:NANYA-JC001 ]
** INFO : Write Speeds (Supported By This Drive On This Disc) Listed Below

** INFO : GET PERFORMANCE Write Speed Descriptor(s)
Descriptor #1 = 2770 KBPS (2.00x) - [CLV/Non-Pure CAV]

** INFO : MODE SENSE Write Speed Descriptor(s) [Legacy Command]
Descriptor #1 = 2770 KBPS (2.00x) - [CLV/Non-Pure CAV]

[oldfart13]

You might try another brand. The LG4040B is very picky on media, especially (in my case) +R media. Even good branded discs like Maxell only burn at 1.6X! That's terrible. Does anyone have a list of what 4X +R media WILL work with the LG4040B? I'm getting tired of buying branded media that won't work right with this drive...

[MicoMan]

I find "DataSafe" Ritec ones the best. They are now about £12 for 25 but were over £20 a few months ago so I was looking for some cheaper discs.

I found the others at £10 for 25 and has used the 2x ones before so though they would be ok.

Just stuck with 20 2x discs now and at 30 mins a disc its just too long for me. Could keep them for Panny recorder but dont really need them.

[hech54]

You might try another brand. The LG4040B is very picky on media, especially (in my case) +R media. Even good branded discs like Maxell only burn at 1.6X! That's terrible. Does anyone have a list of what 4X +R media WILL work with the LG4040B? I'm getting tired of buying branded media that won't work right with this drive...

You'd better start checking some computer settings. My 4040B burns 4x EVERYTHING....2x EVERYTHING and 1x EVERYTHING.

WITH the original firmware;

[monzie]

If your in the UK (or EC) ALDI DVD+R's (yes really) burn fantasic at 4X on a 4040.......£6.99 for 5 with cases... (not cheapest but work great and those Aldi stores are everywhere these days).

Also just got some Datawrite Classics (yellow) DVD-Rs from ebuyer that burn great at 4x (on a 4040)...about a £10 for 25 on a spindle, a real bargain........plus ebuyer are doing 100 DVD full size cases for a £10....its like Blockbusters at my place now ........just need cheaper ink/paper for printing all those jackets...................

[oldfart13]

hech54: I'm stuck buying whatever brands turn up in town where I am in Canada. That usually means buying branded media since even the Chinese owned places around here don't sell Ritek. Prodisc is about it at one store. The rest are Verbatim, Maxell, Sony, etc. The settings are fine and I'm using the A302 firmware. If I want to burn at 4X these days I usually wait til there is a sale on -R media and use my Pioneer A05. The LG is mainly used to transport DVD-RAM from my Panasonic E80H DVD recorder to my computer. On occassion, I've used it to burn RicohJpn 4X +R discs and it works awful...but this is not new. Take a look in the Google groups and you'll see the same comments over and over again. On the other hand, the new 8X LG burner seems to work just fine, even with cheap 4X media. The LG4040B just had a new firmware release but I can't find it and the link from this site is dead. Anyone have the A303 firmware?

[oldfart13]

I updated the firmware to A303 but I'm still burning 4X branded Maxell +R at 1.6X, so I didn't gain anything. The -R Maxells burn a full disc in 16 minutes, so it seems to be a problem with the LG4040B not liking the media...