DRU-500a, Another Can No Longer Burn DVD-R at 4x

[rkr1958]

I know, another I can no longer burn at 4x. I only get 2x using TDK DVD-Rs or Maxwell DVD-Rs at 4x. (Even though Nero shows 4x). I do, however, get 4x burns using Fuji DVD+Rs.

I'm running W2K and DMA is enabled for all drives (Harddrives and DVD's) , which are on their own IDE channel. I have a PCI IDE contoller card which connects a 250GB harddrive and my Pioneer DVD-ROM. My on-board IDE controller connects my 120GB system drive and my DRU-500a with firmware 2.0f. I also have a SATA160GB drive connect to the motherboard and an external 60GB firewire drive.

I was getting 4x writes with the DVD-Rs until I had a harddrive crash and had to replace my system drive with a WD 120GB 7200 RPM ATA100 drive. However, I was only getting 2x with the Fuji DVD+Rs before the crash but I now get 4x write with these (Strange).

I have an Intel D875PBZ motherboard and I'm using the Intel Ultra ATA Storage Contollers. My 120-GB WD system drive is partitioned (using PartitionMagic) to 14.1 GB (C-drive w/OS & Applications) & 92.7GB D-drive for data. Also, I have 4GB (hidden partition) for RestoreIT. My Windows swap file is set to 4GB (for all drives) and is on my 92.7GB partition of the 120GB WD drive.

I've even flashed the firmware to 2.0h which didn't help the DVD-R write speeds and caused two out of two burns with the Fuji DVD+Rs to fail. So I went back to 2.0f.

I've done a lot of searching on this but have had a lot of luck. I've delete my IDE controllers and reinstalled them. Any suggestions would be appericated.

[Jayhawk]

I hate to see a post go unanswered but I suspect most are like me. I've read this about 5 times and I don't have any real solutions. You're setup seems great even though stuff beginning to happen around the hard drive change makes you wonder.

I'm at a disadvantage. I have the Sony 500 with 2.0f BUT I don't use -R discs, only +R and +RW. Like you, I can burn at 4X. Maybe I can scrounge up a -R or -RW tomorrow and run a test or two.

One thought, have you tried another program like Decrypter. Rip a DVD-5 (single side) using ISO READ. Then try an ISO WRITE to a blank TDK or Maxell 4X. Might tell us something (Nero ?). Might not but it's a simple free test and all information is good.

[rkr1958]

Thanks for the reply. I have also used the DVD writing tool in TMPGEnc DVD Author and still only got 2x writes. I'll give RecordNow a try and let you know the results.

[handyguy]

you can read the dvd writer topic on that left column for 4x media that works. but meritline.com keeps a list too of what media does 4x with what firmware.

[rkr1958]

Thanks handguy. But what's frustrating is that I use to get 4x with the TDK but now I only get 2x. Same media, writer & firmware. I'm at a loss to why.

[sacajaweeda]

I burn @ 2x all the time and it doesn't bother me any. What's the rush?

[rkr1958]

I burn @ 2x all the time and it doesn't bother me any. What's the rush?

This response reminds me of this old joke. A patient says to his/her doctor, "Doctor, my arm hurts when I move it like this". The doctor says, "Well that's easy to fix, don't move it like that."

4x versus 2x is 15-minutes versus 30-minutes. Also, I'm the type of person who likes things / people to do what they're suppose to do.

Anyway sacajaweeda, thanks for your reply. I'm glad you're happy with 2x burns.

[handyguy]

We are happy with 2x because we know they are going to work after we write 'em. At 4x times things get iffy according to user comments.

[sacajaweeda]

Don't fix it if it ain't broke.

[Jayhawk]

I agree with rkr1958,

I suppose you guys burn CD-R at 2X like back in the early 90's. Why change if it ain't broke, right?. Must be tough on all you guys having to watch those black and white televisions.

[sacajaweeda]

Again, what's the rush?

I burn @ 2x and never make coasters. My drive will write 4x, but it's more expensive media and the fail rate is probably close to 40 percent.

How crucial is that extra 10-15 minutes? (assuming you don't make a coaster and have to burn more than once)

Whatever floats your boat, I guess.

[SaSi]

Allow me to join you in your frustration. My DRU500A is just over a year old and won't burn at 4x (both +R and -R). I guess I haven't yet found the +R media brand that makes it tickle...

I've been using TDK -R and +R media over the past 9 months or so, which was recording at 4x without any problems. However the drive just decided to stop writing at 4x.

Well, I will allow it a few more months, until the dual layer drive scene clears out. I will then replace it.

And will make the SONY a present to a much hated person I know. 8) 8)

[rkr1958]

Found and Fixed the problem ... Cleaning the Lens did it, see https://www.videohelp.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=216828&highlight=

I'm now getting 4x writes on my TDK 2x and Memorex 4X DVD-Rs and 2x writes on my TDK 2x DVD-RWs and Memorex 2x DVD-RWs

We are happy with 2x because we know they are going to work after we write 'em. At 4x times things get iffy according to user comments.

I found this out ... Apparently even though I can write to the Memorex 4x DVD-Rs at 4x they will not play in my settop DVD player and they are unreadable in my computer's DVD-ROM drive. When I burn at 2x they seem to work fine in both. My TDK 2x DVD-Rs burned at 4x, however, seem to work fine in both.

[sacajaweeda]

I bought a 25 pack of Maxell 4x DVD-Rs recently that all burned at 4x without a hitch and don't appear to be giving me any problems in my set top player. Maybe I'll get another 25 pack the next time I see them on sale and keep them around for those times where that extra 15 minutes is the difference in a life or death situation

[rkr1958]

I bought a 25 pack of Maxell 4x DVD-Rs recently that all burned at 4x without a hitch and don't appear to be giving me any problems in my set top player. Maybe I'll get another 25 pack the next time I see them on sale and keep them around for those times where that extra 15 minutes is the difference in a life or death situation

O.K., But if it were a life or death situation I don't think that I'd be burning DVD-Rs. But that's just me.