Will using speeds that are to slow cause probs when writing to 16x DVD?

[boing]

My Sony writer has a DVD max write speed of 4x, and whilst it burns a disc in about 30 mins, I have been looking around to upgrade in a few weeks/couple of months

For now though, would it be a problem if 16x discs were used in my current writer?

Or is it infact the opposite is true, whererin problems are more likely to arise if one writes too quickly rather than too slowly?

Cheers

[guns1inger]

4x should burn a single sided, single layer disc in 14 minutes and change. 30 minutes is about 2x. Personally, I believe you should burn at the rated speed of the disc, or the highest speed of the burner - which ever is the lower.

But if you are burning at only 2x then you should be looking into other problems that are more likely to cause burn problems. Start by making sure your burner is in DMA mode. Right-click My Computer and choose Manage. Click on Device Manager. Expand the IDE ATA/ATAPI branch. Double-click on the Primary IDE Channel, then on the Advanced tab. Make sure all devices are set to DMA. Repeat for the Secondary IDE Channel. If either channel has devices set to PIO mode, uninstall that channel and re-start Windows.

[boing]

4x should burn a single sided, single layer disc in 14 minutes and change. 30 minutes is about 2x. Personally, I believe you should burn at the rated speed of the disc, or the highest speed of the burner - which ever is the lower.

But if you are burning at only 2x then you should be looking into other problems that are more likely to cause burn problems. Start by making sure your burner is in DMA mode. Right-click My Computer and choose Manage. Click on Device Manager. Expand the IDE ATA/ATAPI branch. Double-click on the Primary IDE Channel, then on the Advanced tab. Make sure all devices are set to DMA. Repeat for the Secondary IDE Channel. If either channel has devices set to PIO mode, uninstall that channel and re-start Windows.

Gunslinger, if I change my settings as per your above post, could you post the info that would relate to a faster writer so I can [if needed] change the settings back in the future

Thanks

---EDIT--No problems, the devices were are all set to DMA anyway

[guns1inger]

The settings should always be DMA, especially with a faster writer. DMA mode will allow the burner to work at it's optimum speed. PIO mode is an alternative mode that uses the CPU and restricts the speed to 2x or less. PIO is a fallback mode that windows uses when it detects too many read errors in a row. Sometimes ripping a scratched DVD can cause it.

[boing]

The settings should always be DMA, especially with a faster writer. DMA mode will allow the burner to work at it's optimum speed. PIO mode is an alternative mode that uses the CPU and restricts the speed to 2x or less. PIO is a fallback mode that windows uses when it detects too many read errors in a row. Sometimes ripping a scratched DVD can cause it.

Kewl, the settings were all DMA anyway

Thanks

[guns1inger]

So why are you burning so slowly ?

[boing]

So why are you burning so slowly ?

As far as I am aware, my writer (Sony DW-U12A) has a DVD max write speed of 4x, it has never given me any problems, but it was bought in 2003, hence the reason for an upgrade sometime soon

When I was using ImgBurn to write the Video-TS folder, the dialogue box reported a write speed that varied between 1x and 4x

[guns1inger]

As you are upgrading soon, it's probably not worth the worry, however I also have an aging 4 speed burner - an NEC 2500A. Through some firmware updates I can get reliable 8x burns on 16x media.

I suspect your slow speed is due to your burner not having a write strategy for newer media, and therefore dropping back to a safe speed. A firmware update would probably get you back to at least 4x (official) or faster (unofficial)

[boing]

As you are upgrading soon, it's probably not worth the worry, however I also have an aging 4 speed burner - an NEC 2500A. Through some firmware updates I can get reliable 8x burns on 16x media.

I suspect your slow speed is due to your burner not having a write strategy for newer media, and therefore dropping back to a safe speed. A firmware update would probably get you back to at least 4x (official) or faster (unofficial)

Ok, ImgBurn says my firmware version is 2.0c, and I have found this link to a firmware update:

http://forum.rpc1.org/dl_firmware.php?download_id=1518

Is there a guide to installing? or is it a simple case of downloading and clicking the .exe file?

On a scale of 1-10 how easy is it to balls this up?

[guns1inger]

If you download the right firmware for your burner and follow the instructions it is difficult to balls it up. The most likely way to get into to trouble doing this type of thing is to lose power during the upgrade. If that happens you may well be SOOL. However that is pretty much out of your control unless you are running off a generator because you live in a uni-bomber style shack in the boondocks on Montana.

[guns1inger]

Man, that is an old drive. A firmware update of that age probably isn't going to do much for you. Time to drop some readies.

[boing]

Man, that is an old drive. A firmware update of that age probably isn't going to do much for you. Time to drop some readies.

LOL, yes indeed, its served me well though

Thanks again

[boing]

Wow, I didnt realise DVD burner prices had fallen so much, damn, I might get five LOL

Ok, any advice on which to buy would be appreciated

From researching things, I understand that Pioneer and Lite-On would be prudent choices?

Are external writers ok? I might grab one of those, if not, how difficult is installing a new burner?

Here is my list of potential buys:

http://svp.co.uk/products-list.php?cid=86

[guns1inger]

NEC make greater burners, but their reading isn't as good. Pioneer probably make the best all round drives. I would steer clear of Sony drives (personal choice).

Again, personal choice, I would get an internal burner. Too many things can interrupt the data flow on external drives. Not so much of an issue with external HDD because it can buffer and data rate isn't as important. But if you want good, constant data flow, go internal.

[boing]

NEC make greater burners, but their reading isn't as good. Pioneer probably make the best all round drives. I would steer clear of Sony drives (personal choice).

Again, personal choice, I would get an internal burner. Too many things can interrupt the data flow on external drives. Not so much of an issue with external HDD because it can buffer and data rate isn't as important. But if you want good, constant data flow, go internal.

I've been reading about installing a new drive, and it seems easy enough. The one area I am confused about is the cable select/slave/master options, what do these mean?

Should I (when removing the old writer) simply make a note of where the wires are plugged in and choose the same options for the new drive?

BTW, if anyone knows how to remove the front panel from a Sony Vaio RS222 I'd seriously appreciate it, poxy thing must be glued on with cement

[redwudz]

In general, optical drives insert from the front, so you usually don't have to remove the front panel. If you do, they usually have catches you can find when you remove the two side panels. But cases come apart different ways. The drive itself may be held in with screws on the sides of the drive. or some other latching system.

For the DVD replacement drive, just hook it up the same as the old one. There is a jumper to the rear, make sure that is also set the same, plug the cables in, and you should be good to go. The computer should recognize it when you reboot.

[boing]

In general, optical drives insert from the front, so you usually don't have to remove the front panel. If you do, they usually have catches you can find when you remove the two side panels. But cases come apart different ways. The drive itself may be held in with screws on the sides of the drive. or some other latching system.

For the DVD replacement drive, just hook it up the same as the old one. There is a jumper to the rear, make sure that is also set the same, plug the cables in, and you should be good to go. The computer should recognize it when you reboot.

Dude, I have one of these:



The side panel slides off easily, but if you look at the picture, you can see two 'door flaps' located where each bay is, these flaps are part of the front panel that I need to remove, I cant for the life of me see how though LOL