Need DVD-RAM driver... help!!!

[a1anp]

Hi there - I recently gave in to the temptation to buy a DVD-writer and got a Panasonic/Matshita SW-9581 multidrive from my local computer shop. Good price, but OEM and no bundled software.

I've been able to burn DVD-R and DVD-RW no problems using Nero, but one of the reasons for getting it was the DVD-RAM support. So I got myself a batch of DVD-RAM disks and here's where the problems start...

First off, the drive won't accept the cartridges, so I have to pop out the disks (4.7GB type II) and use them bare. But even so, the Windows (ME) doesn't see anything in the drive.

OK - so I've now worked out you need a driver for DVD-RAM. Over to the Panasonic website to download the updated driver (for the SW-9571-CYY, which was the closest I could find), but it was just that - an update. It wanted to install over the original driver that comes with the retail drive.

The full driver just doesn't seem to be available for download, so I appear to be stuffed - you need the driver to make the OEM drive to work, and you only get the driver if you buy the retail version.

Is there any other way to get my DVD-RAM drive to write to DVD-RAM disks???

[acanthis]

The DirectCD component of Roxio Easy CD Creator 5 and 6 will handle packet writing to DVD-RAM disks, as will Pinnacle's (formerly VOB's) InstantWrite component of Instant CD/DVD Creator. Alternatively, there's WriteDVD at http://www.softarch.com

Are you SURE your drive can write DVD-RAM? It's unusual to have to remove the disk from the cartridge to write to them; this is an action which seriously compromises the reliability of the disk for Read/Write operations.

Note: there are some drives out there that can read DVD-RAM if they're popped from the case - are you sure that's not what you have?

[a1anp]

Thanks for the reply acanthis - I'll give VOB InstantWrite a go when I get home from work...

The drive is definitely sold as a multi-drive - I originally thought it was identical to the Panasonic DVD Burner II, but the standard CD tray means it can't be. Windows sees the drive as "Matshita DVD-RAM SW-9581", and the shop I got it from are selling it as a SW-9571-CYY. It is supposed to do 2X DVD-RAM, as well as 2X DVD-R and 1X DVD-RW.

Thanks for the help...

[Mr Grumpy]

I'm considering buying the SW 9581-C, so I'm interested to see if you get this sorted.

The outfit where I'll buy mine from are recommending this update for drivers to use DVD-RAM

http://www.panasonic.com.au/support/DVD-RAM/XP2220NE%20DVD-RAM%20WinXP%20update.htm

Hope it helps.

Oh and according the to review I read, the 9581 does have to have the cartridge removed from the disc (unlike the 9571!), so maybe you've got cause to return it to the shop?

[Mr Grumpy]

Ooops.

That link is for the XP drivers. Just noticed that you're running ME, but maybe it might help find the ME drivers.

[a1anp]

Mr Grumpy - that link may just be an update too, Win XP only (I need Win ME), but good luck to anyone who gives it a go.

I was a bit miffed when I found out the cartridges wouldn't fit, and the drive that I thought it was certainly does take the DVD-RAM cartridges. Maybe I could try taking it back to the shop and getting it swapped for the SW-9571.

In retrospect, it would probably have been better to go for a DVD+R/RW drive, but now that I've spent a fair bit on a supply of DVD-R, DVD-RW and DVD-RAM disks, I'm pretty much committed.

If you are thinking about getting this drive though, it might be advisable to spend the extra £40-50 and get the full retail version. Then you get the proper DVD-RAM drivers, not to mention the proper loading tray, and you'll get DVD authoring software. I will probably end up spending a lot more than that to get DVD-RAM drivers and DVD authoring software for my OEM drive, so it is definitely worth taking into account!!!

[Mr Grumpy]

thanks for the advice m8.

I've still got to get it through the approval committee too (the wife!)

[vric]

Why not getting a LG (Hitashi) 4020B ? it's DVDram, it's cheap and have proper driver.. I just need to know how it work hehe

[a1anp]

I gave VOB Instant CD/DVD (v6) a try last night, since we had a copy knocking about the office. InstantWrite has a list of drivers to select from, but there didn't seem to be an appropriate one for teh new drive. I didn't manage to get it to recognise my DVD-RAM disks, then the drive stopped recognising any disks at all, the registry got corrupted and the PC crashed. At this point it looked like it was going to be difficult, so I did a system restore then gave up and watched the footie instead...

I'll give Panasonic an email just in case they can help, but I might just have to leave the DVD-RAM disks in the bottom of a drawer until the Panny DVD recorders come down into my price range...

[a1anp]

Just an update - my Matshita multi drive died on me, which might explain some of my problems of late! It was a long drawn-out process, involving the loss of ability to read commercial DVDs - first dual layer DVDs, then single layer disks. Then it stopped burning DVDs, and then it stopped burning CDs, leaving it as an expensive CD-ROM drive. By the time the guy checked it in the shop, the drawer stopped closing properly too. I felt like I'd been sold that car in the AA advert...

Still, they swapped it out OK, but I'm worried now - never, ever had a drive crap out on me like that before...

[Quigonsean]

I used to have the ftp site it was mostly untranslated garbage but you could read the names of the drivers. I have the org driver disc I have the retail LF-D321, and according to the links you all posted the driver your looking for works this drive to. I will make a copy of it for anyone that wants to send me a S.A.S.E. it will be minus the one retail prog WinDVD on it, but it will be everything else such as utilities drivers etc.. I will also include the manual in pdf. You want the driver and utility with it you can read write erase just like a hard drive, in fact it shows up as "Removable Drive" you can take the disk in and out and lock it from be writtin on if it is non cartridge. I'd post the files but it is 282mb, so I'll take a S.A.S.E. just email me.
quigonsean<nospam>@yahoo.com Please remove the <nospam> thats there so scanning software for spammers get a non working addy.

Sean Ward

[andydd]

I got a Panny SW 9581 from SVP in UK and i was very dissapointed with it. Ive got a large stack of Yellow datawrite discs that the Panny couldnt recognise nor could it play the majority of my back ups..even worse it couldnt recognise the majority of my PANASONIC DVD Ram discs.....wether or not i installed the dvd ram drivers.

To be honest the drive just seemed awfull, I never have probs with my 104 or my lil Toshiba drive that can also read DVD RAM with no problem, after trying replacement it has now gone back for a refund. I also have a PANASONIC DMR E30 recorder and that can read all my discs no problem.

Anyone else had same problems...?...., anyway SVP were quite helpfull, allowing me a replacement n then refund but now ill stick to my Pioneer 104.