Help troubleshooting Pio 111d and BenQ 1650 install

[LT9000]

Just installed a Pio 111d and BenQ DW1650, replacing the drives that came with my Gateway 5058.

Here are some issues I’m trying to work out:

System info:
Win XP media edition w/ 2nd rollup
Nero 6.6.1.4
DVD Shrink 3.2.0.15
AMD x2 3800 (Gateway 5058) 2G RAM

Win XP shows the BenQ as: ATAPI DVD DW 8X 16X 8X 16 (this is a rebadged Norwood micro saying BenQ dw1650 on the drive.) Win XP says the driver provider is Roxio file version 7.1.0.188

It calls the Pio by it’s correct name: Pioneer 111. driver 1.02 driver provider Microsoft.

Upon installation, it was cable select, and the Pio is on the end of ide as master. Both drives have successfully burned a data cdr as a test.

1. Which drivers and firmware are recommended for these drives, and where’s the best place to get them?

Additionally:

Upon trying to burn w/ DVDshrink (I had already ripped some movies to HDD for testing before install), I get an error that reads in part:

“ \n cannot connect TRF
NT-SPTI used
Nero API version 6.6.1.4 using interface 6.3.1.4”

2. What is happening here? Do I just need an updated version of Shrink, and where to get it?

Also:

When trying to rip a movie with DVDDecryptor as a test, I get a message saying the region is not set which could cause errors, and do I want to set it (and I get 5 chances)

3. What should I do about setting the region?

Thanks for any advice.

[bevills1]

I get the same error with DVDShrink for which there are no more updates due to discontinuation. I don't worry about the error message and just use Nero to burn the DVDShrink files. I suggest the forums at http://club.cdfreaks.com/ for firmware. The Dangerous Brothers firmware for the Pioneer makes it regiion free and enables auto bit setting for +R single layer media, and I believe there's a Dangerous Brothers firmware for the Benq too.

[aedipuss]

1) driver is generic provided by ms for all cd/dvd drives. firmware the latest from the manufacturer.
2) unclick burn with nero in dvdshrink. write video_ts and audio_ts folders to your hard drive with shrink. burn them as dvdr data - type udf/iso bridge.
3) set the region to wherever you are or you won't be able to view commercial dvds, region 1 if you are in the u.s.

[LT9000]

Everybody talks about firmware, if I get that right, do I have to worry about the drivers at all?

[LT9000]

Here's another one, if I update with the latest manufacturs' firmware, can I later change it to dangerous brothers? I don't know alot about them. What do you guys recomend on that.

Where's Lord Smurf, he's all about Pioneer.

[budz]

There's no need for you to use the DANGEROUS BRO. firmware for the BENQ 1650 drive unless you want a REGION FREE DRIVE.

For BENQ drives you can flash the drive with new and old firmware. In other words you can go from a newer firmware back to a old one. What firmware did your rebadge drive come with? Use CD/DVD SPEED to find out what firmware is on the drive. I use firmware BCDC for my BENQ 1650 drives. You'll have to find the firmware that burns well for you. QSUITE 2.1 is a tool to use with BENQ drives. It will remember write strategies for different dvd media. I use only VERBATIM & TAIYO YUDEN dvd media which burns very well with the BENQ drives. I also use QSUITE 2.1 with SOLID BURN ENABLED, WOPC ENABLED AND OVERSPEED DISABLED. Check out the BENQ FORUM for more information.

For the PIONEER 111D drive it can be crossflashed to the PIONEER 111L drive by using DANGEROUS BROTHER firmware. You'll be able to bitset to dvd-rom for single layer dvd+r media. My suggestion is to check out the PIONEER 111D TO 111L CROSSFLASH Thread at the PIONEER FORUM at Cdfreaks.com on how to cross flash the drive. If you don't need bitsetting to dvd-rom for single layer dvd+r media then there's no reason to crossflash the drive or to use the DANGEROUS BROTHER's firmware. If you want region free then use the DANGEROUS BROTHERS firmware for the PIONEER 111D drive.

[OneSickPup]

I'll just add some addtional comments to budz's good advice. I would not crossflash that 111D until I was assured it is working properly. Crossflashing does void your warranty. Also if I read your post correctly you have the opticals setup with CS (Cable Select) jumpered. It may not matter anymore these days, but some older Pioneers seemed to work better when avoiding CS and jumpering as master/slave. My old DVR 108 was a good example. The real key is the 80 conductor ide cable. The Pioneers (and pretty much any udma4 optical drive) will not function correctly without one. I have both your drives (not in the same machine though). Good luck.

[bevills1]

Completely agree with OneSickPup and budz advice, and I just want to add the Dangerous Brothers firmware is auto bit setting for DVD +R single layer which sets booktype to DVD-ROM for improved compatibility with some DVD players. You probably don't need bit setting unless +R media copies are to be distributed and/or used on several players. Is there more than 1 type of IDE cable, and is there a way to know which is 80 conductor if more than 1 type?

[OneSickPup]

Is there more than 1 type of IDE cable, and is there a way to know which is 80 conductor if more than 1 type?

If you have round type cables I know of no way to tell - except that round cables have been a recent item and probably will always be 40 pin 80 conductor. Just a guess though. If the ide cable is flat - then look at this pic as an example of the difference:

[LT9000]

I appreciate all the responses.

Neither drive has ripped yet, but I burned 2 movies as a test last night w/ each burner. Both played OK upon sampling each. The BQ was a +R that played on my old Panna stand alone. All this w/ no changes since my original post.

Here are a few questions I still have:

1. I got around the s/w error glitch by just burning manually w/ Nero after shrink had done it’s job per Bevills1’s advice. Is there any disadvantage to doing it this way?

2. How should I set the region? DVD Decryptor asked if I wanted to do it when I tried a rip my DVD. Should I just let DVDD do it or what?

3. Once I update the firmware, do I need to worry about the drivers anymore? I’m confused on that. And when I download the firmware, will this just be an automated process of dbl clicking on the file, or will I need to set it up manually somehow?

I’m gonna pass for now on any firmware that voids the warrantee. If I need a +R auto set to DVDROM on SL, I’ll use the BQ for now.

I’m thinking of just using the latest manufacturers firmware for the Pio (and the BQ) and see how it does. But since you can’t step back w/ the Pio, I think I’ll read a bit more before I do that.

I’d be interested to hear Lordsmurf’s thoughts on the Pio firmware since he has a lot of experience with these drives. Where’s he at?

Thanks again for your input everyone.

[OneSickPup]

Your questions:

1.) No disadvantage - I do it that way.

2.) Unless you have a need for multi-region - just set it to region 1 and be done with it.

3.) Drivers should be no issue. Firmware flashing procedures vary. I would initially stick to just stock firmwares and (if so) it's pretty much just download - point and click. Crossflashing and such adds a whole new level of complexities that are easily handled if you have the time to research and follow directions.

I use 1.19 stock firmware on my 111D. I have other drives I use for bitsetting and dvd-ram so I have no current need to crossflash. I use stock BCFC on my Benq 1650 even though I have flashed back to BCDC a few times. Both yield similar results. Have not tried the newest one (BCHC I think).

[LT9000]

" ... just set it to region 1 and be done with it. "

Yeah but how do you do that?

[bevills1]

In DVDDecrypter click Tools, Drive, Regional Code and Information. You should be able to set it there although I've not done it because I get message "The device failed to report its RPC state. Note: This probably means it is not region protected." This is another advantage of firmware mod as my drive is region free via mod firmware, hence the above message.

I have no experience with Benq and can't advise on it, but last I checked around 6 months ago DVRFlash may be used to flash the Pioneer and at that time was able to flash official to mod, mod to mod, mod to official and official to official firmwares. Thus DVRFlash has the advanatage of being able to back flash to official firmware even after flashing with mod firmware if desired. DVRFlash comes with a readme file explaining how to use it. My official NEC firmware for my NEC drive is a file you just double click to do the flash and may be same on Pioneer although I'm unsure since I've only flashed Pioneer with DVRFlash. I just ordered a Pioneer 111D and plan to do the cross flash due to need for bit setting, and I've used mod firmware on my old Pioneer 107D for several years with excellent performance and no problems.

[budz]

There's no need to use DVRFLASH with the PIONEER 111D drive.

LT9000 wrote:

I appreciate all the responses.

Neither drive has ripped yet, but I burned 2 movies as a test last night w/ each burner. Both played OK upon sampling each. The BQ was a +R that played on my old Panna stand alone. All this w/ no changes since my original post.

Here are a few questions I still have:

1. I got around the s/w error glitch by just burning manually w/ Nero after shrink had done it’s job per Bevills1’s advice. Is there any disadvantage to doing it this way?

2. How should I set the region? DVD Decryptor asked if I wanted to do it when I tried a rip my DVD. Should I just let DVDD do it or what?

3. Once I update the firmware, do I need to worry about the drivers anymore? I’m confused on that. And when I download the firmware, will this just be an automated process of dbl clicking on the file, or will I need to set it up manually somehow?

I’m gonna pass for now on any firmware that voids the warrantee. If I need a +R auto set to DVDROM on SL, I’ll use the BQ for now.

I’m thinking of just using the latest manufacturers firmware for the Pio (and the BQ) and see how it does. But since you can’t step back w/ the Pio, I think I’ll read a bit more before I do that.
I’d be interested to hear Lordsmurf’s thoughts on the Pio firmware since he has a lot of experience with these drives. Where’s he at?

You've been given good information from members here. If you want more knowledge about PIONEER firmwares for the PIONEER 111D drive then check out the PIONEER FORUM at Cdfreaks.com and at the FIRMWARE INDEX forum on dvdrw firmwares. There are members there at both forum sites who are very knowledgeable with PIONEER FIRMWARES.

[LT9000]

"You've been given good information from members here. "

Agreed.

I was afraid that last set of questions might have been over-doing it, but it did yield some posts that clarified things for me.

BTW I forgot to post what Nero CD-DVD speed said on the BenQ drive. It shows the drive as: ATAPI DVD DW 8X16X8X16. It shows the firmware as: GCFC. (1.02 for the Pio)

Thanks to all who contributed.

[bevills1]

You said the Benq is a rebadged Norwood micro saying BenQ dw1650 on the drive, and I think it'll probably be identified as Benq after firmware update although I can't say for sure having no Benq experience. I wouldn't worry about it as long as it functions correctly regardless of how it's identified by Windows.

[budz]

You said the Benq is a rebadged Norwood micro saying BenQ dw1650 on the drive, and I think it'll probably be identified as Benq after firmware update although I can't say for sure having no Benq experience. I wouldn't worry about it as long as it functions correctly regardless of how it's identified by Windows.

bevills1
The rebadged BENQ 1650 drive that LT9000 has is indeed a BENQ. read below:

LT9000]
Some OEM/Rebadged versions of BENQ will have the "G" series firmware compared to the official BENQ "B" series firmware. The "G" series firmwares are generally not updated as often or not updated at all compared to official BENQ firmware. This is something that's been since the days of the BENQ 1620 & 1640 drives. Crossflashing the 1620, 1640, 1650 & 1655 drives to the official BENQ firmware will enable one to use official BENQ firmwares and QSUITE 2.1. With the exception of the 1620 only being able to use WOPC & QSCAN, the other drives can fully use QSUITE 2.1. IMHO I'd crossflash that "G" firmware drive to the "B" firmware. Go to the BENQ FORUM on crossflashing your 1650 drive. You can use WinDWFLASH or BQFLASHER to flash to the "B" firmware. I've use WinDWFLASH to crossflash my BENQ drives. Crossflash in safemode and make sure there is no disc in the drive.

[bevills1]

What's the reason for cross flashing in safe mode? Is it a good idea to do official firmware updates in same mode as well or only for cross flashing? I plan to cross flash my Pioneer 111D to 111L after it arrives. Should I do that cross flash in safe mode too?

[budz]

What's the reason for cross flashing in safe mode? Is it a good idea to do official firmware updates in same mode as well or only for cross flashing? I plan to cross flash my Pioneer 111D to 111L after it arrives. Should I do that cross flash in safe mode too?

Flashing in safe mode will load only the bare minimum which is good for crossflashing/updating firmware on dvd drives. I know for the BENQ drives no programs should be runnning in the background when you crossflash or flash the drive. Why? I don't know I just follow the procedures that others have stated in the BENQ & PIONEER forums. I haven't had a failed flash yet by crossflashing or updating firmware via safe mode. You can flash your drive in safe mode as well for official firmware updates.