Unable to set Book Type in ImgBurn

[Capsbackup]

Just received my new Plextor PX-800A DVDRW drive and have burned several DVD-R discs successfully, but trying to set up to burn a Verbatim DVD+R DL disc and ImgBurn will not let me set the Book Type. When I try to set "change For" drive setting to DVD+R DL for Plextor, "current" setting" says Unknown( Failed ). Is there a work around for this drive? I never had a problem setting the book type for my previous Plextor PX-716A.

[setarip_old]

Hi!

Perhaps, as my Pioneer and SONY burners do (and many other D/L-capable burners do), your new Plextor automatically sets the booktype for D/L media...

[Capsbackup]

Thanks for your reply. It was my understanding that the software program to burn with is what sets the Book Type. But since I am unsure, I was looking for a more definitive response. I also thought DVD+R and DVD+R DL media needed the Book Type set to DVD ROM to play back on most stand alone players. For Plextor drives, these were the only two types of media that ImgBurn had an option to set the Book Type. I am unable to set it for either of these two medias. Since I have been using ImgBurn, I have never had a disc that was unplayable. I wasn't ready to experiment yet.

[setarip_old]

these were the only two types of media that ImgBurn had an option to set the Book TypeThat's because those are the only two types (+R and D/L+R) that CAN have the booktype set...

[DaChew]

if you load the burned disk back into imgburn the right window will show the booktype or if you used verify that part of the log shows it

of course it's not much help that the drive is not a true plex

http://club.cdfreaks.com/showthread.php?t=211835

I would return it as defective, those nec's are not that good

[Capsbackup]

Thanks for the find DaChew, very interesting! Not sure I want to hassle with the return since I purchased it from Buy.com and already mailed in the $30.00 rebate. I thought the price was a little too good ($65.00 before rebate)... So, if I select NEC for the drive option within ImgBurn, then select Drive (for DVD+R DL - media temporary), I can now set it to DVD-ROM. Is this the correct procedure for this drive? I was hoping to avoid trial and error, since Verbatim DL media is still not cheap. Funny, looking back, I am willing to buy good media, thought I was buying a good drive, and now I am searching for good ideas/suggestions!

[DaChew]

plex firmware usually is better at auto bitsetting than the original drive's firmware

have you burned a dual layer yet?

it's probably already bitsett, use imgburn to see

test the nec tab for bitsetting, but regular nec's don't bitset
dvd+r single layer, you have to use modded firmware

the plex may?

[Capsbackup]

Not tried burning a dual layer yet because I was unsure about setting the Book Type. I'm not sure how to tell.
This is what ImgBurn says after inserting a dual layer disc:

PLEXTOR DVDR PX-800A 1.00 (ATA)
Current Profile: DVD+R DL

Disc Information:
Status: Empty
Erasable: No
Free Sectors: 4,173,824
Free Space: 8,547,991,552 bytes
Free Time: 927:32:74 (MM:SS:FF)
Supported Write Speeds: 2.4x, 4x

DVD±R DL Boundary Information:
L0 Data Zone Capacity: 2,086,912
Changeable: Yes

Physical Format Information (ADIP):
Disc ID: MKM-001-00
Book Type: DVD+R DL
Part Version: 1
Disc Size: 120mm
Maximum Read Rate: Not Specified
Number of Layers: 2
Track Path: Opposite Track Path (OTP)
Linear Density: 0.293 um/bit
Track Density: 0.74 um/track
First Physical Sector of Data Area: 196,608
Last Physical Sector of Data Area: 16,580,607
Last Physical Sector in Layer 0: 2,283,519

Physical Format Information (Last Recorded):
Disc ID: MKM-001-00
Book Type: DVD-ROM
Part Version: 1
Disc Size: 120mm
Maximum Read Rate: Not Specified
Number of Layers: 2
Track Path: Opposite Track Path (OTP)
Linear Density: 0.293 um/bit
Track Density: 0.74 um/track
First Physical Sector of Data Area: 196,608
Last Physical Sector of Data Area: 16,580,607
Last Physical Sector in Layer 0: 2,283,519

Book Type says DVD-ROM, so does that mean I don't have to set this within ImgBurn?

[setarip_old]

That's my understanding - and I've had no failures with any such burned D/L Verbatim DVD+R media...

[Capsbackup]

Thanks for your reply, setarip_old. Thats what I was hoping to here. Time to try out this new drive!

[setarip_old]

Thanks for your reply, setarip_old.As always, my pleasure ;>}

[LIGHTNING UK!]

The booktype tabs are NOT for drives, they're for the command set used for booktyping.

So you need to find out which set of commands your specific drive uses and then use that tab.

My guess is that your new Plextor is a rebanded something else and perhaps uses the OEM commands rather than those used back when Plextor made their own drives.

[Capsbackup]

LIGHTNING UK, Apparently this Plextor is an NEC drive. I am only able to select the NEC tab or I get unknown(FAILED!) . So I select Drive( For DVD+R DL Media - Temporary) and then DVD-ROM is displayed and the ability to change to DVD-ROM. I have tried two DL burns and both were successful. So is this the method for burning DL media with this drive? Thanks for a great program!

[DaChew]

your burner should be bitsetting dvd+r dual layer by default, you shouldn't have to do anything

the only way is to test

would you try using the nec tab and set dvd+r single layer to bitsett

would be interesting to know if the plex firmware does something the regular nec firmware doesn't

[Capsbackup]

DaChew, if I select the NEC tab snd set Drive ( For DVD+R Media ), current setting says DVD+R ( changes available : 500 ). So I go to New Setting : and select DVD-ROM, and it says success and changes to DVD-ROM. Now after shutting down the program and restarting it, it says the same thing except changes available says 499. If I select the choice for Drive ( For DVD+R Media - Temporary ) I get DVD+R as the Current Setting, and then if I select New Setting: DVD-ROM, it says success. Now if I close the program and restart it, and return to the NEC tab and Change For : ( For DVD+R Media - Temporary ) , it says Current Setting : DVD-ROM. Not sure , but was this what you were asking ?

[DaChew]

well next time you burn a dvd+r, check the as burned in the verify part of the log or reinnsert the dvd and from the right hand screen see if it worked

that was exactly what I was asking for, thanks

looks like plex has bitsetting enabled fully in their firmware, nec does not