Power calibration error on my burner - whats that mean?

[Rudyard]

Recently my DVD burner when burning with nero says 'power calibration error' and stops. Its always at the start and the disc is reusable, I just pop it back in and once or twice later it works like normal.

Only noticed it in nero until today I burnt a small photo compilation in Dvd architect and I got an error saying 'cant figure out power needs, you will need different media or a different write speed' or something to that effect.

Again at the start of burning, and the disc was reusable after I tried it about 3-4 times it worked.

Is this a power cord not in properly or is my burner dying??

The model no. is TSST Corp CD/DVDW SH-W162C using driver 5.1.2535.0 and the problem started about a week or so ago.

Thanks for any help.

[3Simon7]

You might find some info here...

https://forum.videohelp.com/viewtopic.php?t=312470

Don't know if it will help solve your problem though!

[VegasBud]

Rudyard,

There's a section of each blank disk that is used for determining the Optimum Power Calibration for the laser before the actual burn starts. The drive writes small sections of data at different laser power settings, and then attempts to read the data back. If the data can't be satisfactorily read at any of the power levels, you get a "Power Calibration Error", which basically means there's no point in writing the whole disk since it would be a bad burn.

When you "pop it back in and once or twice later it works like normal", it means that you're getting borderline results. Since the power calibration area is close to the hub (which is the most reliable for burning), and the end of the data area (the outer edge) is least reliable, a borderline power calibration may well indicate you're going to have increasing data integrity problems as the burn progresses.

Since you say the problem started about a week ago, the first question is "At that time did you start using different media, or a different batch of the same 'brand'?" If so then you should get different (better) media.

You can also try 3Simon7's suggestion (in the other thread) to attempt to clear out any dust in the drive. Obviously, if dust is getting between the laser beam and the media, there are going to be burning/reading errors.

In answer to your question,...yes, it can mean the drive is failing, but that's the least likely source of the problem.

[GKar]

As you didn't post any specific media information (a Nero burn log, etc...), we can't offer much help, however your problem is media related no doubt. Download DVD Identifier and tell us your media code or post a Nero burn log and I'm sure you'll get a helpful response. There are a few media listings here about your drive:

https://www.videohelp.com/dvdwriters.php?DVDnameid=1193&Search=Search&list=2#comments

It's possible you only need a firmware upgrade, who knows though? One thing for sure, you don't need to purchase an updated drive!

[Rudyard]

Ok thanks for your help and vegasbud specifically for your explanation, was very helpful in understanding the problem as I assumed it wasnt getting enough power from the psu just by reading the error message!.

I think I can narrow the problem, I have been using TDK discs as they have been very successful for me over the years. I have used many brands but this TDK -R in particular has been faultless in playing back on players and not skipping whereas other brands stop and stutter occasionally.

They have been very successful. But I can safely say that all the recent errors are from the most recent batch of the discs which I bought not long ago.

My problem now would be to find new media I can rely on like I have with this TDK -R. I always buy it from the same place as I know it works but I guess the newest ones have changed someway.

Gkar, I am unaware how to post a burn log.....any tips??

I will do the media identifier thing and post back.

[GKar]

You will find over time that DVD brands mean nothing, it's the media code. Programs like Nero, DVD Identifier, ImgBurn and DVDInfoPro can give specifics on the media you are using, the code then can be compared to a reliable site here:

http://www.digitalfaq.com/media/dvdmedia.htm

It's best to stick with the 2 most reliable medias (in the USA), Taiyo Yuden (buy through Supermediastore.com (guaranteed authentic, authorized seller) or Verbatim....

PS: I don't sell media or drives!
I'll let you have fun figuring out how to post Nero logs or DVD Identifier stuff, it's all a learning experience, I'm sure you'll get it!


Addendum: Oops, didn't notice you were in Foster's-Land, but the media recomendations are still valid I believe...I had a few too many tonight so excuse my mis-posts.

[VegasBud]

Rudyard,

Since you're having burning problems, if you use ImgBurn in "Test Mode" you won't have to waste another disk to get the burn log. After the "Test Mode" burn finishes, go to the bottom window of ImgBurn, click on "Edit" - "Select All", then "Edit" - "Copy" and paste it into a new post here.

[Rudyard]

Ok here is the dvd identifer info:


----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Unique Disc Identifier : [DVD-R:TTH02]
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Disc & Book Type : [DVD-R] - [DVD-R]
Manufacturer Name : [TDK Corp.]
Manufacturer ID : [TTH02]
Blank Disc Capacity : [2,298,496 Sectors = 4.71 GB (4.38 GiB)]
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
[ DVD Identifier V5.0.1 - http://DVD.Identifier.CDfreaks.com ]
----------------------------------------------------------------------------

I have left the nero log at home (post from work, no net at home) but will bring it tomorrow.

[redwudz]

Plug that media code ( TTH02 ) into the DVD Media page under 'Search Media Code' and it will tell you the different companies that use the media and put their name on it. It doesn't tell you much about your particular media, though. It seems to have decent reviews.

But I would still try a different brand. It may be a bad batch or something else. If another brand works better, then you have an answer. If nothing works better, it could be a failing burner or the laser lens on the burner may need cleaning. Power calibration is internal to the burner and software is not really involved.