Utmost 4x Internal DVD+/-RW Drive = Optorite DD0203?

[e-nation]

i am a new owner of an
Utmost 4x Internal DVD+/-RW Drive
Brand/Model: UTM CC43212DVDRW
given as a "gift", bought at Circuit City by one of their floor salesmen-- so it was a helluva deal. (had to give that disclaimer so y'all realize that i know it's a rather lower end drive, and probably not the best choice for reliable funtionality). nonetheless, i am presently satisfied, but finding annoyances as i experiment.

i have sucessfully burned DVD+RW, and VCDs on CD-R and CD-RW media.

upon first try of DVD +R burn, nero6 does not recognize the disc... error reports "the drive is not initializing - perhaps due to a defective disc"

anyone have a suggestion for the best driver? what about firmware for this drive? i've heard tell that it is actually an Optorite DD0203 . i am unable to find any "support" docs for "Utmost" brand, and by the looks of it (aside from color... mine is off-white), i would believe that it is in fact the same device.

suggestions? comments?

thanks!!

[tkamin]

don't know about the drive but you can try better quality media - see media forum and www.nomorecoasters.com

[e-nation]

the "bad" media is a Memorex DVD+R, which from the looks of the branding guide that you directed me to, might be a CMC +R at 0-50% sucess rate! sound familiar?

ugh!

[fritzi93]

DVDinfoPRO should give you some info on the drive and firmware. Have you tried that? The latest firmware for the 203 that I'm aware of is 2.50, I'm still running 2.30. The 203's not bad, and isn't all that touchy about crummy media.

Okay, I tried to find out, all I got were some unofficial assertions at a few forums that the Utmost is the same as the Optorite203. Probably just what you found out. Also sold by I/O Magic, Accesstek, probably more, but originally made by Sanyo. So it's actually a Sanyo CRD-BPDV2, MAYBE. The firmware it's shipped with is 2.07. And in DVDinfoPRO, it'll show up as: CD/DVD GENERIC DVD RW 4XMAX. Pretty thin.

How about posting a screen shot of the drive info in DVDinfoPRO, so we can compare all entries? Specifically Drive Features and Profiles. If it matches mine and has HD also, it'll be a good bet it's a 203. That might help. And good luck.

[e-nation]

i'd like to report an interesting discovery while experimenting (before reading lastest post by fritzi93). sorry if this post is a bit convoluted.

I used NeroVision Express to Rip a PAL DVD from Finland (unrecognizable languages reported by DVD2SVCD) for burning as NTSC (a project i've been working on unsucessfully and with much frustration until now). NeroVison Express was able to burn this project, complete w/ maximum video quality and audio present, to the very same DVD+R that Nero 6 reported as "defective" as i described earlier when i started this thread.

an obvious beginner user of DVD +/- R media, i purchased my first blank Memorex +R media in a 6 pack (best deal at my local CircuitCity)-- 3 DVD+RW and 3 DVD+R discs. previously, i had only tried the RW DVD's, sucessfully w/ Nero 6. after reading the DVD media branding guide, and losing faith in the blank +R media included in that 6-pack, i tried neoDVD Plus Trial 5 (all this before my sucessful burn w/ NeroVision Express) to burn the same PAL project onto another of the blank DVD+R's, and it worked, albeit at neoDVD's "better" quality, and without audio (only took up about 3 gigs of the DVD-- i used this setting because at "best" quality, neo said that the original DVD wouldn't fit), but i attribute that to either my improper neoDVD configuration settings, or, i'd like to think more likely, neoDVD's potentially inferior software functionality to NeroVision Express.

that said, regarding Nero 6's "defective" report on the DVD+R media (to which VisionExpress did manage to burn), i'm wondering... maybe Nero 6 isn't properly recognizing my DVD writer for some reason.
another assiciated problem of note... B's Recorder GOLD5, which came bundled w/ the Utmost DVD drive itself, doesn't show the DVD drive as an available device... only shows my LG CD-RW drive.
I also have B's Clip installed which states in the readme file (quoted text):
B's CLiP (and B's Recorder GOLD) cannot coexist in the same environment as other packet writing or pre-mastering software. Uninstall all other such third party software.

could the software(s) that i described be in conflict w/ B's CLip, and causing the problem with Nero 6? if i'm having sucess w/ NeroVision Express, should I even be worried about Nero 6? (but one of the primary reasons that i wanted a DVD writer is to burn data for clearing the hard drive).
would you recommend that i uninstall B's Clip (i don't really see a use for it or B's Recorder)?

i know i've addressed several issues here. i appreciate your patience and understanding, and of course, your generous feedback. thanks!

[e-nation]

fritzi93, the screen shot, and profile as per your request:


Drive Profiles
Profile 0000h Reserved Profile
Profile 001bh DVD+R Write Once
Profile 001ah DVD+RW Re-Writable
Profile 0014h DVD-RW Sequential Recording
Profile 0013h DVD-RW Restricted Overwrite
Profile 0011h DVD-R Sequential Recording
Profile 0010h DVD-ROM Read Only
Profile 000ah CD-RW Re-Writable
Profile 0009h CD-R Write Once
Profile 0008h CD-ROM Read Only
Profile 0082h HD-BURN Write
Profile 0081h HD-BURN Write
Profile 0080h HD-BURN Read
Drive Features
Feature 0001h Core behaviour
Feature 0002h Morphing
Feature 0003h Removable Medium
Feature 0004h Write Protectable
Feature 0010h Random Readable
Feature 001dh Multi Read CD
Feature 001eh CD Read
Feature 001fh DVD Read
Feature 0020h Random Writable
Feature 0021h Incremental Streaming Writable
Feature 0023h Formattable
Feature 0024h Defect Management
Feature 0026h Restricted Overwrite
Feature 0027h CDRW CAV Write
Feature 002ah DVD+RW Read & Optional Write
Feature 002bh DVD+R Read
Feature 002ch Rigid Restricted Overwrite
Feature 002dh CD Track at Once (TAO)
Feature 002eh CD Mastering (SAO/RAW)
Feature 002fh DVD-R/RW Write
Feature 0080h HD-BURN Read
Feature 0081h HD-BURN Write
Feature 0082h HD-BURN Write
Feature 0100h Power Management
Feature 0101h S.M.A.R.T.
Feature 0103h CD Audio Analog Play
Feature 0104h Microcode Upgradeable
Feature 0105h Timeout
Feature 0106h DVD CSS Authentication
Feature 0107h Real Time Streaming
Feature 0108h Logical Unit Serial Number
Feature 010ah Disc Control Blocks

[fritzi93]

Okay, your info matches mine in every respect, except for:

a) Extra Info 03/11/24
b) Firmware 2.30 (versus your 2.17), and
c) Internal Interface ATAPI-33

Well, it looks like it probably is the same, but I hope someone here can help confirm or disprove it. The info I got from Sanyo said the drive comes with firmware 2.07, but I don't recall if mine had 2.07 or 2.17. What I do know is it didn't work satisfactorily until I got the 2.30 firmware. By satisfactory I mean it burned discs that work on both my players. It's your decision whether you want to risk upgrading the firmware.

If I were you, the first thing I'd do is get the latest versions of DVDShrink and DVDDecrypter. Back up a DVD using Shrink to rip and transcode and Decrypter to burn ISO image. In Shrink, go to Edit>Preferences>Target DVD Size. Reset to Custom and enter 4000 ( just in case there's a media problem). When you hit Backup, a dialog will pop up. On Target Device, enter ISO Disc Image. And select the box to launch DVDDecrypter to burn. This might establish whether the problem is your burning procedure. If THAT works, leave well enough alone. Good luck and I hope someone else can be more help.

EDIT: Have you clicked on Optorite DD0203 and scrutinized the photo? Look like your drive? Also, is Sanyo still the only manufacturer with the HD-burn option? I think that would be conclusive, if true. Anybody?

[e-nation]

my drive is identical in appearance to DD0203, except for the color. the one in the picture at the link above looks a bit "charcoal grey"-- mine is "white"

also, if you look closely to the picture of the sticker on the top of the Optorite DD0203 drive... notice how it looks as if there is something underneath the sticker... again... same thing w/ mine... as if perhaps it does indeed read "sanyo" under there?

[fritzi93]

Yes, it comes in two colors, mine is grey. I'd feel confident the drive can use the Optorite firmware. (I went through the same thing trying to verify my I/O Magic drive was indeed a rebadged Sanyo). But again, at your own risk. Have you tried an alternate burn procedure yet? Good luck.

[Roderz]

Just to throw some more info/confusion
My drive (Optorite 203) shows the EXACTALLY the same details as your dvdinfopro screenshot
How many burners are out there with 8M Buffers AND can do HD-Burn ?

My FW is 2.60 - not from optorite as they havent posted an updated since feb for the 203 but for all other models they have and all for 'added new media codes'
but a hacked MSI variant - flashed because my 203 wouldn't burn the new ritekg05 @ 4 speed (also region free now) and the MSI (reportedly) is actually an optorite 201!!! (which came out after the 203!!)
So if your daring enough flash away

[e-nation]

okay... i've burned DVD -R's w/ this drive and now it won't even read 'em itself... i'm ready to try the firmware flash. i d/l the one for the optorite 201 and 203, both found here http://www.optorite.com/_english/web/2_service/2_firmwares.php

the 201 won't install... i get a "not support for this device" dialog.
the 203 flash is a DOS program. can someone coach me on how do to this on my XP system? what files i need to put on the floppy and how to get into a true DOS mode? do i need to use my old Win98 startup disk?

thanks!

--js

[billcay62]

Go to www.pioneeraus.com.au/computer/fags/fag_18.html hope it helps ya.

[e-nation]

actually, that link doesn't work. did you intend to type .../FAQs/... instead of .../FAGs/... in that URL?

also, other than the instructions about booting into DOS, what does this page have to do w/ my drive and firmware?

am i missing something here?

[e-nation]

Eureka!

Close examination of the label on the top of the device revealed the model number DD-0203 (although mine was packaged as an "Utmost" brand name). it gave me the courage to move forward with the firmware flash.

Here is a link to my drive (and maybe your drive too), and the download for the firmware upgrade.

i gave it a go... and wha-la! the firmware upgrade worked and solved DVD read problems.

To perform the upgrade, i copied the files from the download onto a floppy, rebooted the computer into DOS using a DOS startup floppy, swapped floppies for the one containing the firmware flash, ran the command at the A:> prompt as instructed in the .txt file included w/ the download and that was it. pretty easy really. seemed fail safe-- nothing happened w/out my user confirmation-- practically idiot-proof.

thanks for all of your help here!