Bad Media or is it My DRU-500a?

[rkr1958]

I'm having problems erasing and re-writing to DVD-RW media. Specifically, TDK 2x DVD-RW, Memorex 1x-2x DVD-RW and (now) Sony 1x DVD-RW. I'm using Nero, RecordNow and DVDInfo Pro to try to erase the media. I'm successful about 1 out of 10 now. In Nero I'm getting Power Calibration errors and in RecordNow I'm getting "No Media Present". And when I'm successful and I'm able to rewrite I'm having problems playing it in my Standalone player (Toshiba SD2800).

So far I don't appear to be having any problems writing to DVD-R's and DVD+R's. I haven't try writing to DVD+RW's in a while so I don't know about them.

Is this a writer or am I just unlucky with the DVD-RW media?

[Perro Grande]

You could have bad media. How many times have you written and erased these RW's?

There is some debate as to how many times this can be done. Some people have reported hundreds of write/erase cycles, while others have experienced media failure after less than a dozen.

I'd recommend checking the burner with a fresh -RW and/or +RW disk. Another suggestion would be to try erasing the questionable RW in a different burner (friend, work, etc). Between these, you should be able to isolate the problem spot.

[rkr1958]

I'd say with respect to the TDK 2x DVD-RW media, I'd probably written to them a dozen times or so. The Sony, I'd say 20 to 30 times. The Memorex DVD-RW (I bought a pack of three). A couple of times. Two out of three seem to be working. However, I had problems with one right out of the shrink wrap. I finally did get a write but it won't play in my standalone player. The other two will however.

I did think about trying to erase them in another burner. Good suggestion ...

[rkr1958]

Also ... This is very frustrating if it's the media. I paid a good price to get reliable 2x DVD-RW media to test out my authored DVDs before committing them to DVD-R's.

I've had my Sony DRU-500a since December of 2002. I'm learning that good media is important. Finding where to get that media is also very frustrating. For example TDK 2x DVD-R made in Japan but not in Twian. Memorex 4x DVD+Rs are good but Memorex 4x DVD-Rs are suspect.

What's a person suppose to do? What vender, what media are you suppose to trust?

[rhegedus]

I've got a DRU500a using firmware 2.0H and have no problem with TDK 2x -RW (media code TDK502sakuM3).

The fact that you're having problems with different media suggests either a software or a hardware problem.

Upgrade to the latest firmware and try again.

[rkr1958]

I did flash to 2.0h but I started having errors writing to Fuji 4x DVD+Rs so I went back to 2.0f.

In terms of software I've tried using Nero, RecordNow and the Authoring tool in TMPGEnc DVDAuthor.

[rkr1958]

It looks like I can neither erase or write to DVD-RWs or DVD+RWs. But I can write to DVD-Rs. Does this make sense? I'm totally frustrated now. I'd say my burner is on its way out.

I paid over $350.00 w/$50 rebate for my DRU-500a back in December of 2002. I don't think I'll be buying another Sony writer. Now I see that the prices on a lot of writers are now less $150.00. Any suggestions on a good replacement writer for my Sony?

[g00kster]

RKR1958 - I have DRU-500A firmware 2.0H. I love this drive so much that I bought the DRU-530A firmware 2.0A and converted my DRU-500A to an external burner by putting it in an enclosure. I had trouble with DVD+RW and DVD-RW b/c my dvd player doesn't play them.

Here's my pc configurations:
XP Pro 1.8ghz, 1 gig RAM, 320 gig HD
Nero 6.3.1.6
Dvd Decrypter
Dvd Shrink 3.1.7

I burned over 1000's blank dvds (no coasters) with cheap media (Matrix DVD-R 4X) for $.55 a piece at

http://www.shop4tech.com/user.htm?go=vi ... ;s_cata=88

No, I don't work for them. You should try this media from shop4tech. It's cheap and consistent media that I ever used. However, it's work on all my dvd player. (Apex 1100 and Sony 5 disc changer)

You should upgrade your firmware to 2.0A and try this cheap media. I have friends using the same media and we bought over 3000 blank dvds from them. Good luck!!!!

[handyguy]

"I've had my Sony DRU-500a since December of 2002. I'm learning that good media is important. Finding where to get that media is also very frustrating."

Not really, just use the SONY RW disk that came with the unit. Sony media in Sony units, what a perfect match for test.

"I don't think I'll be buying another Sony writer"

thats fine, they don't make them anymore anyway, they just rebag other manf's units.

[rkr1958]

"I've had my Sony DRU-500a since December of 2002. I'm learning that good media is important. Finding where to get that media is also very frustrating."

Not really, just use the SONY RW disk that came with the unit. Sony media in Sony units, what a perfect match for test.

"I don't think I'll be buying another Sony writer"

thats fine, they don't make them anymore anyway, they just rebag other manf's units.

I was really frustrated last night when I wrote that. I had problems writing to ANY +/-RW Discs. However I did do a little research on the web that may help. I ran across some articles / posts about dust / dirt on the lens causing problems. I open the tray on my writer and sprayed compressed air (from a can). That seemed to help. I'm now able to write to Verbatium DVD+RW and Memorex DVD-RW. However I'm still having problems with TDK DVD-RWs.]


Does anyone know how, or have any suggestions, on how to clean the lens of a DRU-500a. DVD lens cleaning kit?

If I can figure this one out I think this might fix the problem.

[disturbed1]

Do you have a DLA program running in the back ground?

One that lets you format a DVD RW disc and use it as a Hard Drive, sometimes called packet writing?

These programs can cause burning problems. Spent about 10 minutes trying to troubleshoot a system for a friend the other night, turned out that was her problem.

I'd probably written to them a dozen times or so. The Sony, I'd say 20 to 30 times

That's really not that bad. I average 5 Rewrites to CDR media before the outeredge gets weak, after the very outer edge, the rest of the disc usually lasts ~100 RWs before I chuck it.

I don't use DVD RWs enough, but I have some Fuji 2x RWs (MCC Media ID) that have ~30-35 rewrites each, and a 2 year old Optodisc that was writen to 4 times before it died.