DVD dual layer help

[Dan206]

I am having problems using dual layer. I have an NEC DVD_RW ND-4550A writer which is fitted within an 'icy box' external case. I have had this writer some 15 months or so and used it regularly for burning single layer DVDs. However recently I have tried to burn a dual layer DVD. The NEC is equipped for dual layer+/- The writer recognises the original and will sve to hard drive using either Nero 7 or Clone DVD. However as soon as I insert a blank DVD (I am using Phillips DL + the drive changes and becomes recognised as a CD RAM drive. As soon as I remove the disk it reverts back to a DVD RAM drive and either does not recognise a disk being in the drive or in drive properties will state 970kb of space available on disk. I have tried numerous times without success. Will this be a DVD writer problem or something else?

[jman98]

Use ONLY Verbatim DVD+R DL discs and burn with ImgBurn for best results. Apparently Verbatim discs are difficult for you UK guys to get, but you are just wasting your money on any other brand as you found out. Your burner might need a firmware upgrade to deal with the Philips discs, but sticking with Verbatim will solve a lot of problems.

Here's a guide to using PgcEdit to make ISOs that you can burn with ImgBurn
http://www.digital-digest.com/~blutach/pgcedit_guide/burning_with_pgcedit/burning_with...pgcedit_v2.htm
It also explains why you may not want to use Nero for burning DVDs.

[dnix71]

I just bought Verbatim +R dl's today (OfficeMax stocks them) and I can't get them to read anywhere else but the drive that wrote them. I burned the file as an image in Toast. This dl incompatability sux big time.

[Dan206]

Use ONLY Verbatim DVD+R DL discs and burn with ImgBurn for best results. Apparently Verbatim discs are difficult for you UK guys to get, but you are just wasting your money on any other brand as you found out. Your burner might need a firmware upgrade to deal with the Philips discs, but sticking with Verbatim will solve a lot of problems.

Here's a guide to using PgcEdit to make ISOs that you can burn with ImgBurn
http://www.digital-digest.com/~blutach/pgcedit_guide/burning_with_pgcedit/burning_with...pgcedit_v2.htm
It also explains why you may not want to use Nero for burning DVDs.

By using Verbatim DL discs this will eradicate the way my DVD writer changes from DVD RAM to CD RAM?. If thats the case I will find a stockist in uk

[jman98]

By using Verbatim DL discs this will eradicate the way my DVD writer changes from DVD RAM to CD RAM?. If thats the case I will find a stockist in uk

Well, if you use any other brand, as many of us have stated, you are asking for problems. Can I guarantee that Verbatim will fix your very strange problem? Nope. But I can guarantee that using another brand is a bad idea for sure. My best guess is that either you need a firmware update for your burner to work with your media or your burner simply doesn't like your media at all and it will never work with it. There are no guarantees in burning dual layer discs, but you should not use anything but Verbatim DVD+R DL unless you are willing to have problems. I don't remember the model number, but I have an old NEC DVD burner in one of my PCs and it burns Verbatim DVD+R DL discs with no problems. You get what you pay for in DVD media and it's really not worth it to save money on cheaper brands when they don't work.

[Dan206]

By using Verbatim DL discs this will eradicate the way my DVD writer changes from DVD RAM to CD RAM?. If thats the case I will find a stockist in uk

Well, if you use any other brand, as many of us have stated, you are asking for problems. Can I guarantee that Verbatim will fix your very strange problem? Nope. But I can guarantee that using another brand is a bad idea for sure. My best guess is that either you need a firmware update for your burner to work with your media or your burner simply doesn't like your media at all and it will never work with it. There are no guarantees in burning dual layer discs, but you should not use anything but Verbatim DVD+R DL unless you are willing to have problems. I don't remember the model number, but I have an old NEC DVD burner in one of my PCs and it burns Verbatim DVD+R DL discs with no problems. You get what you pay for in DVD media and it's really not worth it to save money on cheaper brands when they don't work.

Many thanks Jman - can you explain to me how I upgrade my firmware.