TDK -R's and an LG4040B Burner - 2x burning

[hech54]

OK....dumb question.
Just bought a spindle of TDK's. Wrapper says 1-8x burning. My old LG is a 4x burner but these TDK's only burn at 2x.
LG is not known for firmware upgrades and quite frankly I'm not sure I'd muck with my firmware because this LG has so far been flawless. But is there a reason these discs only burn at 2x?
I've burned several and they work great and am not impatient when it comes to burn speed...as long as it's a good burn I really don't care....but am I missing something simple here or am I screwed?...

[bunyip]

Good to hear that someone else has the same problem.
I have two burners, an LG and a PIONEER.
I have been using the TDK 4x blanks exclusively for the last several months because of their reliability (no coasters and plays without problems).
However all I can get now are the TDK 8x and like you, with the LG I can only burn at 2x and I'm starting to make coasters even at that speed. The Pioneer still burns them at 4x and no coasters, but some are starting to pause and jump on the standalone players.

So TDK have now joined the list of brands to avoid (what a pity) - still looking for a reliable alternative.

[hech54]

I just noticed a "burp" in one of my TDK's as well. Looks like I'm back to my totally naked - silver topped Ritek G04's for my important stuff...and I'm sure those will be in short supply very soon.
Thanks for the input...I think...
Come to think of it....maybe you'd better check your TDK's. I've seen 8x versions....and I've seen 1-8x versions like mine. Maybe try the 1-8x versions...you may have better luck?

[bunyip]

Just checked - these are the 1-8x, didn't know there were exclusive 8x available.

I should also add that a friend who also has a Pioneer 4x burner and is using the TDK 1-8x is reporting that his stand-alone players are having trouble playing them, he had no trouble previously with using the TDK 4x.

[hech54]

Now that you mention it....I think I am wrong. I didn't buy the Verbatim spindles because they warned they were 8x only.
My fault.

[SaSi]

There must be something wrong with the TDK disks for some time now.
I have also been using them exclusively because of long term reliability (of any TDK product for that matter) with my SONY DRU500A.
The first batches of 4x burnt with no problems at 4x. The newest batches only burn at 2x. The 8x are not recognized by the SONY.
Borrowed a LiteOn 811s and later an 812s and they don't succed in burning them over 1x (!!!).
I now got a Samsun 552B which burns the 4x TDKs at 4x, the 8x TDKs at 8x and some no-name 4x (claimed) at 2x still with no problems.

I also verify each recording and I never got a verify error from the TDKs, even when the recording speed was not to my liking.

Yet, a problem with 8x burning is that it tends to stretch the PC to the limit. Unless the disks are defragmented, 8x is not really feasible - at least in sustained mode. So, people must be careful before claiming burner or media problems.

But, of course, when max possible is 2x, well - that's another story.

[hech54]

This was TDK's reply to my question:
Product: DVD

Question:
Why do you advertise your DVD media as 1-8x and it only burns at 2x on my 4x burner(LG4040B)?

DVD-R47CBEC25
4 902030 188290 UPC

Reply:
You may want to see if there are any firmware updates for your burner. Sometimes a firmware update will improve media compatibility and write performance, which may help. Check with the drive vendor or manufacturer for details on this. (if it's an official LG drive, it looks like the latest is A304).

Basically, the drive isn't recognizing the capabilities of the disc properly; drives will typically revert to a default (safe) type of mode; 2x seems to be what your drive reverts to. This is completely controlled by the drive's firmware; hopefully, if you don't have the latest update, it's already been corrected and all you need to do is update the firmware. If you do have the latest firmware, or it doesn't help, you may need to contact LG on when a possible firmware update could be issued to correct it.


Thank You
Media Support Department
TDK Electronics Corporation.

Now WHY in hell would I need to update my firmware? I don't like mucking with firmware especially when the drive has worked perfectly from day one. A§§HOLES

[jarvis1781]

This was TDK's reply to my question:
Product: DVD

Question:
Why do you advertise your DVD media as 1-8x and it only burns at 2x on my 4x burner(LG4040B)?

DVD-R47CBEC25
4 902030 188290 UPC

Reply:
You may want to see if there are any firmware updates for your burner. Sometimes a firmware update will improve media compatibility and write performance, which may help. Check with the drive vendor or manufacturer for details on this. (if it's an official LG drive, it looks like the latest is A304).

Basically, the drive isn't recognizing the capabilities of the disc properly; drives will typically revert to a default (safe) type of mode; 2x seems to be what your drive reverts to. This is completely controlled by the drive's firmware; hopefully, if you don't have the latest update, it's already been corrected and all you need to do is update the firmware. If you do have the latest firmware, or it doesn't help, you may need to contact LG on when a possible firmware update could be issued to correct it.


Thank You
Media Support Department
TDK Electronics Corporation.

Now WHY in hell would I need to update my firmware? I don't like mucking with firmware especially when the drive has worked perfectly from day one. A§§HOLES

you need to update your firmware because as new media comes out you need to allow your drive to "learn" what the characteristics of the new media are. you should be happy that your drive can learn these the instructions through a firmware upgrade...otherwise you would have to buy a new drive everytime you wanted new media to work in it.
relax yourself and dont worry so much about a little update.

[hech54]

How long did it take you to read this packaging?

Now how long to you think it will take me to remove my computer from my computer desk(NOT an easy task in itself) - disconnect all of the crap from my computer - take it apart and follow LG's instructions "to the letter" as to updating my firmware on a drive that burns and has burned perfectly well since day one with every other brand of media marked the same exact way?

_ _ _ _ _ _ _ !

[chunkT]

About an hour.. I had to keep looking away cause that faggy guy on the label kept looking like he was undressing me with his eyes..

[Daz_man]

Seems like LG 4040Bs don't like 8x disks, I always used Ritek G.04s until recently with 100% success recording 4x, have bought several batches of G.05s (8x) recently and none will record faster than 2x despite me having the latest firmware upgrade (A304).

BTW, firware upgrade is really easy, just download the executable off the LG website and run it.

[hech54]

Seems like LG 4040Bs don't like 8x disks, I always used Ritek G.04s until recently with 100% success recording 4x, have bought several batches of G.05s (8x) recently and none will record faster than 2x despite me having the latest firmware upgrade (A304).

BTW, firware upgrade is really easy, just download the executable off the LG website and run it.

Thanks for the firmware tip....but.....Why?.....

That was my whole point actually. TDK never said whether the firmware update would solve the problem....I guessed that it wouldn't.
That and my computer really is an almost permanent fixture in my computer desk/setup. My computer AND my wife's work computer are on the same setup. Two seperate internet connections, monitors, printers, external Hard Drives...everything.

[tim6661234]

Now how long to you think it will take me to remove my computer from my computer desk(NOT an easy task in itself) - disconnect all of the crap from my computer - take it apart and follow LG's instructions "to the letter" as to updating my firmware on a drive that burns and has burned perfectly well since day one with every other brand of media marked the same exact way?

You could go to all that trouble but I generally just download the new firmware off web, double click on it, watch a progress bar for 30 seconds and reboot. What do you have to do with an LG drive write the new firmware using a pencil?

I personally thought that TDK's reply was very good and technically correct and if only more companies had such high standards. Technical support is generally crap.

Burning DVD's is not a simple operation, you drive will write different media in slightly different ways depending on the media code. This is to get the most reliable burn. If the drive doesn't recognise the code (how can it the new media codes didn't exist when you bought it) then it reverts to a safe but not the best method to let you write the disk.

Your beef should be with LG for not producing new firmware that lets you write the 8x media at 4x.

[hech54]

Upgrade Instructions
------------------------

This firmware software only works in windows mode with Windows 98/ME/2000/XP. If you encounter problems in flashing the firmware or have
any questions, please contact our LG customer support line toll-free at 1-800-243-0000.

1. If you haven't already, download the firmware file and extract the zip file.

2. Connect the drive to the secondary IDE channel as a master drive with no other devices connected to that channel. Also disconnect any other optical drives connected to the computer. Start Windows and verify it can recognize the drive.

3. Close all other programs including: screen saver, antivirus and/or power-down programs. Do not open any programs or start any system functions during the update as they can interfere with data transfer and damage the drive.

4. Open the firmware program.

5. Make sure the new firmware listed is a higher number than the firmware already on the drive.

6. Click the update button and do not touch or interfere with the drive while the firmware is being upgraded. IMPORTANT - DO NOT INTERFERE WITH THE DRIVE DURING THIS PROCESS. If an error occurs during the upgrade process, or the upgrade process is cancelled during this process, damage to the drive can occur.

7. When the upgrade is complete the screen should say FIRMWARE UPDATE SUCCESSFUL. Re-boot your PC.

8. Enjoy!

[tim6661234]

I've seen this recomended before. I don't think you'd have any problems updating the firmware without doing all that, just covering there arses!

But there is no point doing it if as Daz_man said this willl not increase your write speed.

Some manufactures update there older products more than others. I wouldn't buy LG after your experiences but it is out of TDK's control the firmware must support the media.

My old pioneers 104 would have blown up if I'd have put 4x media in it but they had a firmware patch out before the media hit the streets. Then another to burn at 2x rather than 1x.

[hech54]

I wouldn't buy LG after your experiences but it is out of TDK's control the firmware must support the media.

I love my LG. It burns at 4x exactly like it says. It's TDK's and their lies I won't be buying anymore. The package says 1 - 8x and the last time I checked....4x falls in between there somewhere...

[tim6661234]

Well I tried but if you wont let the facts get in the way of your preconceptions its your funeral. .anyway 2x falls within 1 - 8x as well so they do exactly what they say on your box

One last try ITS YOUR RECORDER THAT DECIDEDS HOW FAST TOO WRITE

[Prot]

You keep mentioning problems with TDK's. Could you please post the media codes associated with these disks? Are they TDK or CMC?

Thanks

[tekkieman]

Sorry hech, but I have to agree. A firmware update is probably all you need to get them to burn at the higher speed. If you have a 4x burner, chances are that media did not exist when your burner was manufactured. It knows nothing about them.

Update the firmware, and should have no trouble. You might even get some unexpected improvements in the new rev. Of course, there could also be some down sides. My new 16x burner WILL NOT burn 2x media! That's direct from the manufacturer. Now, what am I supposed to do with all those 2x TDKs? Wanna trade for your 8x's?