Memorex True8X

[rixware]

I bought this writer today at Best Buy for $129. Seemed like a good deal, and it's well-reviewed.

But I've had numerous problems getting it set up, and once I finally started writing discs, the DVD+R discs won't play, while DVD+RW versions of the same data play fine.

I tried updating the firmware, and it gave me an "Available target is not found" error. I checked the Memorex site and found a setup patch that could not find any files to modify. Nero 6 OEM is bundled with the drive, and this is what I'm using to burn. (I had been using a version of Nero 5.5 prior. It was overwritten on the install.)

I'm following the instructions to the letter, but nothing has gone right on this install. The drive goes back tomorrow unless someone can give me any suggestions.

Thanks!

Rick
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[tompika]

What was your previous burner?

What version of Nero 6 are you using?

[rixware]

The previous burner was an HP dvd writer dvd200i, and the previous version of Nero was 5.5.something (it's gone now so I can't check for sure which one it was). It was purchased from the Nero web site.

The new version of Nero came in the box with the True8X, and is only listed anywhere as Nero 6 OEM. It does not include the full Nero, just Nero Express. The updates available on the Nero web site do not appear to apply to this version. (When I try to install them, they create a new installation, and run as a trial.)

The media is Memorex DVD+R and DVD+RW. On the previous configuration, all discs played just fine.

[tompika]

https://www.videohelp.com/forum/viewtopic.php?p=899605#899605

[rixware]

That is a VERY helpful link. Thanks! But let me make sure I understand this...

- My old HP drive was marking the DVD+R discs as DVD-ROM in order to fool players into not rejecting them.

- My new drive is unwilling (or unable) to do this for DVD+R, but does it for DVD+RW.

- If I burned to DVD-R discs I would not have this problem.

If I'm right in this understanding, it leads to a few questions:

1. Is the firmware on the new drive the culprit or is Nero somehow involved?

2. Do newer HP drives use the same technique? (In other words, could I get my old results back by dumping the Memorex True8X and upgrading to a newer HP drive?)

3. Is there a better writer to invest in which allows flexibility in this area?

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[tompika]

That is a VERY helpful link. Thanks! But let me make sure I understand this...

- My old HP drive was marking the DVD+R discs as DVD-ROM in order to fool players into not rejecting them.

Correct

- My new drive is unwilling (or unable) to do this for DVD+R,...

Correct

...but does it for DVD+RW.

Nope, your standalone just accept DVD+RW as it is

- If I burned to DVD-R discs I would not have this problem.

Correct

If I'm right in this understanding, it leads to a few questions:

1. Is the firmware on the new drive the culprit or is Nero somehow involved?

The firmware

2. Do newer HP drives use the same technique??

Yes

(In other words, could I get my old results back by dumping the Memorex True8X and upgrading to a newer HP drive?)

You could but theres no point. By using DVD-R you wont get these kinda logical error

3. Is there a better writer to invest in which allows flexibility in this area?

There are dual-format writers allow bitsetting but I dont think they are better writers

[rixware]

tompika, thanks for all the help. This has been a very educational upgrade. But I am planning to return the Memorex drive and pick up a dual-format HP.

You could but theres no point. By using DVD-R you wont get these kinda logical error

That's good advice, and I'm happy to avoid the logical errors, but now I'm faced with a new problem as a result: media errors.

After the above discussion, I went and returned two 100-disc spindles of printable Memorex DVD+R (media code RICOHJPNR01) and replaced them with two 100-disc spindles of printable Memorex DVD-R (media code CMC MAG. AF1). Then I started burning.

Holy crap! After a couple of good ones, I started getting coaster after coaster! Having a 38-disc project due today, I had no choice but to forge ahead, and by the time I got 38 good ones, I also had 10 coasters!

Maybe I shouldn't be surprised, but with my old HP drive and the +R printables I never had a coaster -- not once! I don't know whether this was the media, the drive, or the combination, but I want that reliability back.

Given what I know now, I would rather not return to writing +R discs exclusively, but I think I need the capability to make +R discs which can be played in a stand-alone player -- logical dodge or not. At least then I will have a media option until I can locate somewhere to buy a different brand of -R printables.

What am I missing?

(I should note that all of my DVDs are for paying customers -- mostly schools, churches, and corporations -- in batches of 10 to 150.)

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[tompika]

Your Memorex True is a rebadged Pioneer DVDR107 which is a very good drive.

Before returning it try to look for a firmware update (1.12) and burn with the latest Nero Express (6.3.1.10)

And don't forget thet HP DVD writers are always rebadged drives (Ricoh, Nec, Philips), they just release them with bitsetting capable firmwares

And CMC is not the best media.

[rixware]

DVDInfoPro reports that my firmware is revision 1.G1. I did already try installing the 1.12 firmware you mentioned, but it failed with the error: "Available target is not found". (I tried it from two sources: the Memorex support site, and then from a link I found here.)

After a bit of digging, I found out that the Nero 6 OEM is actually version 6.3.0.2 without the ability to scan for drives. It is keyed to this particular model. I'm sure I can upgrade, but I'm also sure it's not free...

Isn't it true that without a bitsetting firmware I will NEVER be able to burn a +R disc that will play in a stand-alone player? Shouldn't I have that capability just in case I have a customer who really needs it (because of player incompatibility with -R media)? I'm worried about using +RW media in such cases because my customers may accidently erase it...

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[budz]

Isn't it true that without a bitsetting firmware I will NEVER be able to burn a +R disc that will play in a stand-alone player? Shouldn't I have that capability just in case I have a customer who really needs it (because of player incompatibility with -R media)

your rebadged memorex drive will be able to burn + media fine. you don't need bitsetting for +media to play in a standalone player that supports + media. bitsetting is for standalone dvd players that don't support +media. pioneer drives don't have bitsetting capabilities. your rebadged memorex can burn +media there is no need to worry if a customer really needs it because you can burn +media. if you wanted a burner with bitsetting capabilities then you could have purchased a NEC or LITEON drives that have bitsetting capabilities.

[disturbed1]

You'll have to get some high quality DVD-R media.

That's the major pain with DVD-R, there are so many plants that make DVD-R media, and most of them are not the that great in quality. DVD+R has a handfull, and most are of good quality.

Maxell, Taiyo Yuden, and Verbatim are great quality.

Per 100 -
Maxell ~$115
Verbatim ~$140
Taiyo Yuden ~$145
Plus shipping.

The printable Maxell and Verbatim are branded on the hub (Maxell 4x DVD-R, and Verbatim 4x DVD-R)

TY's have a 44mm center, Maxell 41mm, and Verbatim is 36mm for printing.

[tompika]

Isn't it true that without a bitsetting firmware I will NEVER be able to burn a +R disc that will play in a stand-alone player?

Some players refuse them, most will play them.
If you can't bitset you should use DVD-R media for customers.


I SUGGEST you update Nero to the latest version, 6.3.0.2 is buggy.
BTW there is a Nero patch on Memorex support page.

Also, the firmware update is a must talk to memorex support service or visit rpc1.org
(I bet DVRFlash could flash your drive but ask the gurus there)
http://forum.rpc1.org/index.php

[rixware]

I wonder if there are two versions of this drive (marketed as Memorex True8X). The firmware upgrade you've mentioned, which is found on the Memorex support site, is listed this way:

True 8X Internal Drive Part number 3202-3269 Ver 1
Firmware Update is for the True 8X Internal Drive! Part number 3202-3269 ONLY!
With the drive String of Memorex DVD+/-RW True8X Version 1
Date: 03/01/2004

My part number on the box matches, but DVDInfoPro reports the following drive string:

MEMOREX DVD+/-RW TRUE8XN

This suggests that I have either an earlier or later version (or one from a different manufacturer). This might explain why the firmware update does not work.

Is this possible?

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[code65536]

Yep, there are two versions of the "Memorex DVD+/-RW True8X"... one is a rebadged Pioneer 107D, and the other is a rebadged LiteOn 812S.

[rixware]

So the natural next question is: How do I know which one I have?

Obviously, the Pioneer is worth hanging onto, but is the LiteOn?

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[code65536]

What's your current firmware revision? And how's the CD speed? If you have 40x CD burning, then you got a Litey. If you have a painfully slow CD burning speed, then you got a Pio.

You're asking me if you should hold on to a Litey? Of course you should! (says me, the LiteOn fanatic) The LiteOn does better with CD burning, is DL "upgradable", and does better with +R. The Pioneer, however, will kick the LiteOn's butt when it comes to burning cheap -R.

[tompika]

If its a LiteOn it should be able to bitset.

What happens when you click on the +RW icon in DVDInfo PRO ?

[rixware]

The firmware version is listed as 1.G1, which doesn't look like either a Pioneer or LiteOn version number. On closer inspection, the drive string IS listed on the Memorex firmware upgrade page as having no firmware upgrade available (this is a really disorganized page which I read through several times before spotting my drive string -- partly because I was looking at the part number which matched incorrectly).

There are at least THREE different versions of the drive marketed as Memorex True8X:

Memorex DVD+/-RW True8Xn
Memorex DVD+/-RW True8Xl
Memorex DVD+/-RW True8X Version 1

Just a hunch here, but could Version 1 be Pioneer and 8XL be LiteOn? Not sure what this would make my 8XN...

If you have a painfully slow CD burning speed, then you got a Pio.

I bought this for DVD writing and haven't tried burning a CD. (Not sure what would constitute "painfully slow".)

But I'm once again just about ready to dump it because so far this drive has been a real pain in the @$$:

1. The part number printed on the box did not match the drive inside -- leading me through all sorts of confusion.

2. The software install led to very ugly crashes on every boot. I had to uninstall the whole thing, run the NERO cleaning utilities, then install each part one at a time until I found the culprit. Most of the software that came in the box was therefore unusable.

3. Before I realized it, the OEM version of NERO overwrote my previous version without asking -- thus wiping it out. PLUS, the new one is not version upgradeable (I'm stuck with the buggy 6.3.0.2 unless I'm willing to PAY for an upgrade -- not uncommon with OEM software, but c'mon ).

4. No bitsetting (which I only learned about here, but I find annoying and limiting).

5. Coaster after coaster (both on unfamiliar -R media and my proven and well-trusted +R media -- very annoying at $1.39 a pop ).

6. Memorex support site is very bad.

7. The tray feels cheap and flimsy -- like it could break off at any time.

You guys have all been a great help, and I've learned a lot this weekend, but I think I may have made a bad purchase. We all have to admit our mistakes and move on (except W of course ).

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[rixware]

What happens when you click on the +RW icon in DVDInfo PRO ?

I get a dialog titled:

DVD+R/RW BookType BitSetting (RICOH TYPE DRIVES ONLY)

When I select any of the options, I get an error:

Error, Drive does not support bitsetting

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[-jsl-]

Just a hunch here, but could Version 1 be Pioneer and 8XL be LiteOn? Not sure what this would make my 8XN...

The N probably stands for NEC making it a ND-2500A rebadge. What is the max CD-R/RW speed? 32x/16x? If it is a NEC you could use Herrie's HP based firmware if you want to get bitsetting and better media support: http://club.cdfreaks.com/showthread.php?t=95819

[budz]

I suggest you return the MEMOREX drive. For $129.00 you can purchase a better drive since you're having so many probs with it. I got my LITEON 411S drive for $92.00 out the door from OFFICE DEPOT a few months ago. They had a clearance sale that I couldn't pass up. Purchase a LITEON if you want the bitsetting feature. The NEC has bitsetting too but I'm not sure if it's a firmware hack that needs to be used for that capability. LITEON has a official bitsetting program and there is also a firmware hack called AUTO BITSETTING. Take a look at Codec65536's site with the LITEON patches & firmwares.
http://codeguys.rpc1.org/

www.mwave.com has the LITEON 411S/451 drive for $75.00
www.compuplus.com has the PLEXTOR 708A drive for $151.00, mail in rebate of $30.00, end cost would be $121.00, not sure how much shipping would be.

I have heard that MEMOREX has bad tech support. Good luck and let us know what happens.

[rixware]

I'd rather not use hacks to get bitsetting if possible. I'm looking for drives that ship with the capability.

I've also been looking at some stand-alone multi-drive duplicators. They all seem to have Pioneer drives. Any thoughts?

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[rixware]

What is the max CD-R/RW speed? 32x/16x?

The box says:

32x CD-R write
16x CD-RW re-write
40x CD-ROM read

(Keep in mind that the part number on the outside of the box did not match the drive inside.)

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[budz]

I'd rather not use hacks to get bitsetting if possible. I'm looking for drives that ship with the capability.

As I mentioned in my other post the LITEON drives have OFFICIAL BITSETTING that's called "BOOK TYPE/BITSETTING that you download from their site. http://www.liteonit.com/ODD/English/e_downloads/e_utility.asp

The official BITSETTING from LITEON you have to set the BITSETTING UTILITY to DVD-ROM before you burn DVD+ media. The AUTO BITSETTING firmware hack will automatically set to DVD-ROM every time you insert DVD+ media. You don't have to open up the BITSETTING UTILITY everytime you want to burn DVD+media. That is the difference between the two. As for the NEC drives you have to apply a firmware hack to have BITSETTING capability. LITEON supports BITSETTING for most of their drives. Check out this link at the LITEON forum:
http://club.cdfreaks.com/showthread.php?t=83441

[disturbed1]

I'd rather not use hacks to get bitsetting if possible. I'm looking for drives that ship with the capability.

I've also been looking at some stand-alone multi-drive duplicators. They all seem to have Pioneer drives. Any thoughts?

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Get one of the newer HP drives that write at 8x. These are (usually) rebadged NEC drives. The HP drive has native bit setting support.

The NEC (NEC brand, OEM NEC) has a hacked firmware for bitsetting. This hack, is just the HP firmware modified to be used with the NEC 2500.

I can understand not wanting to use a hacked firmware.

[rixware]

How about the HP 420i? Looks like a direct descendent of my rapidly fading 200i... Is this NEC?

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[disturbed1]

I've read that it is.

It's $159 from HP the software bundle isn't that impressive.

In my opinion, I'd look for the NEC 2500 (DVD +/-R) or NEC 2100 (DVD+R only). Both of which support bitsetting and dual layer burning with firmware updates. Their prices are under $90 from Newegg. <But you'd have to use the hacked firmware.>

[code65536]

I've read that it is.

It's $159 from HP the software bundle isn't that impressive.

In my opinion, I'd look for the NEC 2500 (DVD +/-R) or NEC 2100 (DVD+R only). Both of which support bitsetting and dual layer burning with firmware updates. Their prices are under $90 from Newegg. <But you'd have to use the hacked firmware.>

But he doesn't want to use hacks.

The only affordably-priced burners that can do bitsetting without hacks are the LiteOn and the BenQ.

[rixware]

Well, it was four days of wrangling, and I'm very thankful for all the help I've gotten in this forum. And now, this story has a happy ending!

Best Buy took back the True8Xn with no questions asked, and I exchanged it for an HP 420i ($159-$30 rebate, making them the same price). The two drives have some cosmetic similarities, suggesting they may both be NEC. But where Memorex got all the details wrong, HP got all the details exactly right.

15 minutes after opening the HP box I'm burning. The software installed flawlessly -- and even checked the web and updated the drive's firmware automatically! All the media which failed in the True8Xn is burning perfectly on this drive, and the +R discs were properly bitset without any intervention from me. And all of the projects are also burning significantly faster on this drive -- something I didn't expect.

This package is a gem. Thanks again for all the help and advice!

Rick
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[tompika]

Congrats