Problems with Maximum Speed

[brucend75]

Searched all over for ref to my problem with no luck. Any help appreciated.

I just bought TDK 1-16X DVD-R media. Am burning with a Lite-On LDS-411S, which has a max speed of 4X (which has worked fine in past).

Can't get any more speed recognized -- both with Nero and with DVD Identifier -- than 1X maximum.

What am I missing?

[redwudz]

Some media doesn't burn well at a reduced speed. If you can find some 4X media and that works at 4X with the burner, that may be your problem. It might be time to upgrade your burner to a newer model, or at least see if there are any firmware upgrades for your present burner that might help. It sounds like your burner is misidentifying your media.

[abeesmathi]

Redwudz is correct. Your Lite-on is not recognizing TDK 16X media and hence using generic write speed. Go to Lite-on forum at "cdfreak.com" and download a program called “omnipatcher”. Guidance to re-assign media code (i.e., teaching NEW media codes to your OLD Lite-on drive) can be found in the associated document. Reflash the Lite-on drive with the new firmware and your drive will now recognize higher speed (4X max. for 411s drive) for TDK media.

(PS: Reflashing voids your drive’s warranty.)

[Gen-An]

I doubt there is any warranty left on a drive as old as the 411S...

[brucend75]

Thanks to all who helped. You were right on.

I flashed the new firmware, and DID see an increase in speed. However, only went from 1X to 2X.

Any chance the omnipatcher that abeesmathi mentioned will get me back up all the way to 4X?

Thanks again.

[Gen-An]

You may want to track down some 8x media as those will probably be better supported by your drive. A better option is probably to just get a new burner, as 16x bulk drives can be had for 40USD or less.

[brucend75]

Update.

I downloaded omnipatcher. After a bit of a learning curve, was successful in creating a strategy for the TDK media I was using and assigning it a 4X speed. Burned great!!

To Gen-An: good advice, though am in the midst of a move, and $$ have to be spent there for the time.

You were all great in your assistance. Thanks!!

[redwudz]

Good to know you got it working at the rated speed. 4X is not so bad. As long as you can get media that works and you get good burns, the few minutes that a 4X drive takes isn't important. 1X or 2X is a little too long to have to wait. though.

[abeesmathi]

I own 411s and it is better than any other drive. With all these new media, "omnipatcher" is a must for any Lite-on drive. You can re-assign any media code to your NEW media code and any assign the best write strategy to it. I personally use TYG02 write strategy for all these new media codes.

[brucend75]

I agree on both. I like my 411S, and I am sold on the value of omnipatcher!

[Gen-An]

How can a burner that takes 15 minutes be better than any other drive? I'd never trade any of my 12x and 16x burners for a 411S. To each his own I suppose.