True 4x Burn rate problem

[james636]

I have tried All different types of media, from memorex to verbatim and I have not yet burned at 4x. Although I have a 4x burn option, I've noticed with DVD Decrypter and Alcohol 120% that I'm actually only achieving a 2x burn rate.

I have a Sony500a-DRU, 2.1a Firmware, XP Home Edition, 1.7GHZ, 256MB RAMs of Memory. Primary and secondary IDE channel set a DMA

A 2x burn is not bad, but I'm paying extra for 4x dvd-r, so I would like to get what I am paying for. Is it something that I have to do or change in order to achieve a 4x burn. Let me point out again, I'm sure it is not a media problem, for I have used a number of different types of 4x DVD-r media with the same results.

I know a lot of people will reply that they have burned at 4x, but you need to be sure that you are actually burning at 4x. If you use DVD Decrypter or Alcohol 120%, it will acually show you what burn rate you are achieving.

[sitlet]

the only thing i would suggest is trying some different burning software. with all that you said, this looks to be the only thing that might solve it. try nero, you can download a free demo from their site.

[888888]

I have tried All different types of media, from memorex to verbatim and I have not yet burned at 4x. Although I have a 4x burn option, I've noticed with DVD Decrypter and Alcohol 120% that I'm actually only achieving a 2x burn rate.

I have a Sony500a-DRU, 2.1a Firmware, XP Home Edition, 1.7GHZ, 256MB RAMs of Memory. Primary and secondary IDE channel set a DMA

A 2x burn is not bad, but I'm paying extra for 4x dvd-r, so I would like to get what I am paying for. Is it something that I have to do or change in order to achieve a 4x burn. Let me point out again, I'm sure it is not a media problem, for I have used a number of different types of 4x DVD-r media with the same results.

I know a lot of people will reply that they have burned at 4x, but you need to be sure that you are actually burning at 4x. If you use DVD Decrypter or Alcohol 120%, it will acually show you what burn rate you are achieving.

How long does it take you to burn a full DVDR?

[ianmcv]

Your main problem here is that piece of crap called a Sony DRU500. I had similar problems with one of those myself. Tried everything to get it to work. Even posted several questions on this site to try to get some help. It seems like some people have no problems at all with the Sony and everyone else has nothing but problems. I ended up having a long arguement with sony who kept saying that there was nothing wrong with the burner. Got the usual crap from their help line ie no help at all. I ended up sending my burner back to them after months of complaining and they sent me a new one which apparently burns at 4x now. I say apparently because I gave it away to someone and bought a Pioneer 106 which works great.
So after me having yet another rant at sony my best tip for you is to become a Pioneer customer just like loads of other ex sony customers.

regards

Ian