MSI DR4-A only 2x burning

[larsli]

I have a MSI DR4-A DVD-write and just bought some Verbatim 16x DVDs, MCC03RG20. My writer can write 4x but only detects these as max 2x. MSI (or Optorite) has not made any updates for the firmware since 19.4.2004! Any way to get this burner to burn these discs 4x or must I buy a new burner? This is not good customer service in my book!!

[thevoelk]

You can try one of the hacked firmwares at http://rpc1.org. Besides making it region free, they usuallu have firmwares with speed hacks. Just read the instructions carefully, and you should be fine. It may or may not help.

[888888]

I've used a similar (Optorite) DD0201 for a while now. It would only burn newer Prodisc media at 2x. I could not find a solution other than buying Taiyo Yuden media which burned fine.

I don't remember hacked firmwares existing for Optorite drives but I might be wrong.

[Tidy]

You know a new burner would cost you next to nothing. there are some respectable burners out there at rock bottom prices these days.

[larsli]

You know a new burner would cost you next to nothing. there are some respectable burners out there at rock bottom prices these days.

Yep, I know that, but this is exactly what I mean by not good customer service. This is what they want you to do, throw away a perfectly good DVD writer and buy a new one! My DVD-writer is one and a half years old!!

[Tidy]

Well I can see their reasoning to be honest. I don't think it has anything to do with trying to force you to buy a new burner when you don't need one. I think it has more to do with the fact that to me anyway it makes no sense to do write strategy updates for 16x media when the drive can not write any faster than 4x. To be honest it is my opinion that a year and a half in the world of backing up DVD's is a lifetime. I replace my DVD burner about every 6 months just to make sure I am keeping up with industry advancements.

[ROF]

To be honest it is my opinion that a year and a half in the world of backing up DVD's is a lifetime. I replace my DVD burner about every 6 months just to make sure I am keeping up with industry advancements.

That's solid advice at current market pricing. The price you paid 18 months ago for a DVD writer will be considerably less now with almost 500% increase in media compatibility and almost certainly a 400% increase in burning speeds. There's also dual layer burning at less than the price of two new release movie discs. Invest today and move your older burner to another machine. Your relatives may even appreciate if you give it to them as a gift.