Problem detecting blank dvd-r

[richardw6000]

I know there are lots of posts about problems in detecing bank media but there seem to be very few, if any, answers. I do not have the answers either but I have just had an interesting experience that I thought I would share with other members.

Recently bought a LG GSA-4167B 16x Super Multi DVD/CD Rewriter and installed it into a P4 PC running XP SP2 as Master on the Secondary IDE channel (no other device on this channel). Everything works OK, except it will not detect a blank DVD-R disk. It will burn DVD+R, CDs etc OK and it will read DVD-R discs that have been burned elsewhere. I have tried several different burning programs including Nero 7, CyberLink PowerProducer as well as the VSO Inspector info program but all fail to detect that there is a blank DVD-R disk in the drive. I have also tried different brands of media including Verbatim and Mag Media.

As it will burn DVD+R and CDs OK I have concluded that the problem is with the drive itself (I upgraded the firmware to the latest DL13 but this did not help).

The most interesting thing is that if I start a multisession DVD-R using Nero 7 on my notebook computer that has no trouble detecting a blank DVD-R, and burn a couple of small files onto the disk, I can then go to my problem LG burner and continue the multisession DVD-R with no problems. So the problem seems to be definitely with the LG burner's detection of BLANK DVD-R.

Does anyone have any information on just how a DVD burner does detect blank media and any ideas as to why this LG burner has no trouble dectecting blank DVD+R but not DVD-R?

[OneSickPup]

The LG GSA 4167B has had some issues involving power that often result in symptoms (somewhat) similar to what you describe. If it is at all possible:

1. Move the drive to another pc and see if the problem follows it. Borrow a friends pc if you don't have but one pc.

2. Another option is to disconnect any other non-essential drives temporarily to see if the problem persists. This could be a dvd-rom or a non-bootable hard drive.

My point is - there have been reports of symptoms much like this when a power supply doesn't provide power exactly like the drive expects. This drive appears to be NOT VERY FORGIVING in this area. If you can try one of the suggestions let us know how you come out. Good luck.

[richardw6000]

Thanks for your suggestions. I am not in a position to try your first suggestion at the moment. However I did try your second suggestion which was to remove a DVD-ROM drive from the system. Unfortunately this did not make any difference to the problem.

One thing I did not say in my original post was that the LG DVD burner was replacing an old CD burner so I have not increased the total number of devices connected to my system. When I bought the PC new about 4 years ago it had a CD burner and a DVD-ROM drive. I simply removed the CD burner and replaced it with the LG DVD burner.

I suppose all I can do now is to wait until the next firmware update is released and see if that makes any difference. I guess installing a new DVD burner into an older PC is more likely to generate problems than buying a whole new system with DVD burner included.

[OneSickPup]

Sorry - I thought it might be a weak power supply as the 4167B is notorious for being a little power hungry. I personally have never had issues with mine in external enclosures or mounted internally. I do use the Hitachi based DJ13 firmware so I can run UDMA4. If you are out of a warranty situation you might try that - worth a try anyways.

[hech54]

My 4167B in an old Dell P4 1.8ghz with only 512MB of RAM is the only reliable drive I have for burning -R discs. I'd send yours back for a replacement.

[richardw6000]

While researching this problem I came across this site:

http://www.americal.com/pg/dvd-burner-compat.html

The following is a quote from this page:

About DVD-RAM/-R DVD Recorders -- If you own a burner that can write to DVD-RAM discs as well as DVD-R discs, you will need to pay special attention to the compatibility of your DVD-R discs. This includes popular stand alone DVD Recorders by Panasonic, as well as many computer internal and external DVD burners made by LG, Matshita (Panasonic), Iomega, BTC, LaCie and so on. Your DVD-RAM capable drive will require DVD-R discs that have unusually high reflectivity. Only a few brands of blank DVD-R discs meet these requirements. Our 1x-2x Pro-Grade Stock Nos. 702757 Silver, 702740W Markable White, and White Inkjet Printable 702608 should work well with most of these picky DVD-RAM/-R Recorders. (TECH NOTE - DVD-RAM discs feature a metallic, magnetic/optical bottom recording surface that is highly refective. Those DVD-RAM capable lasers are desensitized to be able to handle those highly reflective discs. By contrast, DVD-R discs have a dyed plastic bottom recording layer that is designed to actually absorb laser light during the burning process. Lasers have to be very sensitive to read a DVD-R disc and less sensitive to read a DVD-RAM disc. Since these two disc types are so different, only the most reflective of DVD-R discs can be used with DVD-RAM Recorders. This is not always a matter of cost, or "quality" in other respects. Discs with thicker silver layers, more transparent dyes, and white top coatings tend to work better for your machines. This really a matter of design, not quality or cost. Sometimes very expensive DVD-R discs may not be designed to work with DVD-RAM recorders.)

This is the only place I have seen this mentioned and I would interested to know if this is generally accepted as correct. I own two DVD burners, the problem LG burner that is DVD-RAM capable and a NEC burner that is not. The LG cannot recognize blank DVD-R whereas the NEC can.

[hech54]

I would also try a tested and true burning program like DVDDecrypter. Just do a simple ISO Read to an ISO Write on a single layer disc with DVDDecrypter and see what it says/does.
I've only used Taiyo Yuden -R's on my LG 4167B so I can't say for sure if the above statement you posted about reflectivity is accurate....in this day and age I tend to doubt it.
Also check for a firmware update for the LG? Get if from LG's website FIRST and foremost.

[richardw6000]

In my final attempt on this problem I have tested all the readily available DVD-R media and have actually found two bands that my LG burner will recognize. These are;

SONY (SONY16D1)
BENQ (DAXON016S)

The media that I tested but could NOT be reconized by my LG burner were;

IMATION (CMC MAG, AM3)
MAXELL (RITEKG05)
SHINTARO (CMC MAG, AE1)
MAGMEDIA (No ID)
TDK (TTH02)
DATASTREAM (CMC MAG, AM3)
LG (CMC MAG, AM3)
VERBATIM (MCC02RG20)

As a result of these tests I would have to say that my experience with DVD-R media is pretty much in accord with the situation as described in the quote I posted earlier.