Not getting full burn amount on DVD-RW 2

[dcloud]

I have DVD-RWs that are supposed to be ableto hold 4.7GB. Now I know you can never fit that entire amount on one, but all I seem to be able to get on them is 3.6GB. Is there a way to get more? I'm using a Lite-On SOHW-1673S with Fuji DVD-RW discs.

Thanks.

- dc

 

[dcloud]

For the Primary IDE Channel I have the following:

Device 0
Device Type: (greyed out)
Transfer Mode: DMA if available
Current Transfer Mode: Ultra DMA Mode 6

Device 1
Device Type: Auto Detection
Transfer Mode: DMA if available
Current Transfer Mode: Not Applicable

For the Secondary IDE Channel I have the following:

Device 0
Device Type: (greyed out)
Transfer Mode: DMA if available
Current Transfer Mode: Ultra DMA Mode 4

Device 1
Device Type: Auto Detection
Transfer Mode: DMA if available
Current Transfer Mode: Not Applicable

I stopped the IMAPI CD-Burning COM Service, just in case. I have been thinking about getting an NEC burner drive next. I have had excellent results with their products in the past.

cdogg, I did try burning another DVD-RW, without formatting. It seems to be working OK. I'm going to run the Nero CD-DVD Speed test with this new disc in the burner and see what results I get. The last five discs from this stack registered errors of different kinds.

Thanks for all the great advice everyone.

- dc

 

[cdogg]

Good deal!

 

[dcloud]

I guess all burners fall victim to bad discs. I found this on a review page for the NEC ND-4550:

"The Verbatim 4x DVD-R Dual Layer recording could of been better. Over 3 tested pieces we achieved quite poor results compared to tests we have done on other recording devices. One minor grumble is that the NEC ND-4550 is slightly slower than previous drives at 16x recording.

The Traxdata 8x DVD+RW media being made unusable after 2 rewrites. Wether this is the NEC format function or just poor compatibility, we really couldn't get this media to work in this writer under present firmware."

(excerpt taken from

http://www.cdr-zone.com/reviews/dvd_hardware_reviews/nec_nd_4550_dvd_writer_review_page_7.html)

- dc

 

[cdogg]

I haven't yet reviewed the 4500 series yet myself, but the 3500 series (specifically, the 3550A) didn't seem to have too many issues. One thing to keep in mind is that DVD-R Dual Layer is much less common than DVD+R Dual Layer. The +R DL format has been out longer, and most burners including NEC will likely have better success with it. The -R format probably hasn't had all of the bugs hammered out of it yet, as with any new format.

MaximumPC, PC World, and several other online sites I visit from time to time usually regard the NEC 3500 series as a top 5 contender. That's always changing though, and it's hard to keep up. Here's a Plextor that you might want to sink your teeth into if you can afford it:

http://www.maximumpc.com/2005/03/plexwriter_px-7.html

~cdogg
"Insanity: doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results." - Albert Einstein
[tab][navy]For general rules and guidelines to get better answers, click here:[/navy] faq219-2884

 

[cdogg]

Here's another update now that I've had a chance to look at recent reviews. The Sony DRU-810 appears to have taken the lead in many benchmarks. Plus, I noticed the NEC 3500 series seems to have fallen towards the back of the pack in overall performance. Though, it's still a top contender for its price range.

~cdogg
"Insanity: doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results." - Albert Einstein
[tab][navy]For general rules and guidelines to get better answers, click here:[/navy] faq219-2884

 

[dcloud]

Thanks, cdogg. I had a Plextor in the past and it was terrible, but then I heard great things about Lite-On and look what I got? lol

Anyway, this burner looks promising:

http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/searchtools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=1112233&Tab=11&NoMapp=0

I guess in the end there's no guarantee it's going to work so you just have to take your chances.

- dc

 

[dcloud]

Ok, I think I've found the discs I want to use next - Verbatim 3 Pack 8.5GB DVD+R Double Layer DVDs at $15. Also I've been checking out the Plextor PX-716A burner, but I may try the 740A instead (depending on how the Verbatim experiment goes).

- dc

 

[dcloud]

cdogg, I have my eye on this NEC burner drive:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16827152059

I've been looking around and researching reviews, but this drive (and brand name) seem to be the most reliable. This is an OEM drive, so I wanted to ask what would I need to install? Any cables or what not?

Thanks.

- dc

 

[cdogg]

That's correct, it won't come with any cables, and the software will be limited (might come with PowerDVD and/or a basic version of Nero).

The retail version should also be availabe from Newegg for an extra $20 or so if you want all the software and a warranty through NEC directly. Personally, I don't worry about that, but it is an option.

~cdogg
"Insanity: doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results." - Albert Einstein
[tab][navy]For general rules and guidelines to get better answers, click here:[/navy] faq219-2884

 

[dcloud]

It had mentioned something about not coming with any cables so thats why I asked "...what would I need to install? Any cables or what not?"

That's what I wanted to know. What cables, if any, I need (or anything else).

- dc

 

[cdogg]

Well, you have a drive in there now connected to a IDE cable. Therefore, if you are simply replacing this drive, an additional cable is not needed.

Besides adding software that you don't already have, you should be fine just swapping the drives (of course making sure that you have the right jumper settings for master/slave).

~cdogg
"Insanity: doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results." - Albert Einstein
[tab][navy]For general rules and guidelines to get better answers, click here:[/navy] faq219-2884

 

[dcloud]

Ok, as I figured, my new SeaGate SATA drive came today and I could not install it. The SATA drive has a different connectors on the back than the old Maxtor. Thankfully there's a computer store in town and the guy there was able to get me set up with a serial adapter and SATA cables. This was the reason I asked what I did in my last post, "What cables would I need?"

Anyway, I got it fixed now. Just need to save all my files and format the new drive.

- dc

 

[cdogg]

dcloud...WHA-A-A-AT?

The link you posted above pointed to a replacement NEC burner on the IDE interface. Then you asked about what cables you would need. You NEVER mentioned anything about the Seagate hard drive or anything about SATA.

My responses were based on IDE, since I thought the NEC burner is what you were talking about. After all, that's what this thread is about, is it not?

I think you lost yourself!


~cdogg
"Insanity: doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results." - Albert Einstein
[tab][navy]For general rules and guidelines to get better answers, click here:[/navy] faq219-2884

 

[dcloud]

Wow........neeeevermind. I think maybe I should buy a new brain next. Sorry.

- dc