Burning speeds with external drives

[LT9000]

Hey guys,

I’ve got an LG external burner connecting via USB 2. I’m using a Dell P4 w/ 1 gig ram. Media is Sony (Japan) 1x – 8x DVD-R’s. I rip with DVD decryptor, and then prepare and burn with DVD Shrink (activating Nero I suppose.)

Shrink only gives me options for max or 4x before the burn, and I can’t get Nero drive speed to see my external drive.

1. Where and how can I take control of the burning speed?

2. Should I burn at lower speeds like 2.4, or is 4x OK with that USB 2 connection.

FWIW I just backed up a scratchy DVD at 4x, and it came out flawless.

Thanks in advance for any help.

[mikiem]

Wellll... the best burning speed is the one that works for you. You can search for user reports & check the recorders section for tips on your exact drive if that helps. Might want to try creating layout rather then burning in shrink, then using Nero to burn -- might be able to select 8x that way?

[LT9000]

8X might be pushing the limits of both USB 2 and my Sony 1x thru 8x media.

I'd rather go at 2.4x if I could figure out how.

[redwudz]

If it burns fine at 4X why would you want to burn slower? I doubt it will burn any better, just as likely worse. Find some 2X media if you really want to burn slower.

[ROF]

Did you install Nero prior to the initial installation of your USB DVD Burner?

If so, try uninstalling and reinstalling Nero. You may also need to update your firmware of the drive to recognize newer media. I burn on USB 2 at 16x without any issues using an NEC burner inside an external USB/Firewire enclosure.

[LT9000]

Did you install Nero prior to the initial installation of your USB DVD Burner?

If so, try uninstalling and reinstalling Nero. You may also need to update your firmware of the drive to recognize newer media. I burn on USB 2 at 16x without any issues using an NEC burner inside an external USB/Firewire enclosure.

Those sound like good ideas.

BTW are there any disadvantages at all to using an enclosure kit on an internal drive? (to make it external.)

[redwudz]

BTW are there any disadvantages at all to using an enclosure kit on an internal drive? (to make it external.)

Just maybe the problems you are having. No there shouldn't be, but some MB chipsets and some external drive chipsets can cause problems with USB.

If you are asking about a USB/DVD factory unit compared to a self assembled USB/internal type DVD drive, none at all, normally. You will save a lot of money 'home rolling' your own external USB/DVD drive. The compatibility problems are usually the motherboard and the external case drivers.

I prefer Firewire for external drives, but a lot of members have no problems with USB.

I'm afraid USB/DVD is not entirely 'Plug and Play', but it works most of the time. I think it's mainly a problem with MB/external box chipsets and drivers.

[LT9000]

How about into a firewire card installed in a PCI slot? That's probly what I'll end up doing. That way I can either get that NEC drive that's all the hot S@#$, or a pioneer, and still be external. And I suppose later I could take it back apart and stick it in my PC if I wanted to. (But frankly the LG via USB 2 seems to be doing fine once I got some good media.)

The LG external I'm using is actually my friends. He gave it to me to figure all this out and then teach him. When he takes it back, I'll get me one.

[redwudz]

My recommendation for most people is to get a combo external box with USB 2.0 and Firewire. That way you have options if you have problems with either interface. And it makes the drive more versatile if you want to use it on other computers.

A Firewire PCI card is a cheap enough addition, and can be used for a camcorder if you end up with one of those. Both Firewire and USB can have chipset conflicts and conflicts with other devices on the bus. Firewire just seems more dependable, in my experience.