Cannot burn Ritek G03 at 4x with Sony DRU-500A

[rkorkie]

I know there are some other threads in the forum about this problem, but some of the answers and posts seem off-track and fuzzy. Basically, I have XP SP1 on an AMD 900 machine. I have 4 IDE channels (not 2 like most), with 2 hard drives (one on each), a DVD-ROM on one, and the Sony DVD-RW on the other.

I have tried many combinations of IDE channels (master or slave as well), ATA100 cables, firmwares (1.0d to 2.0e), and I still can't get my movies to burn at 4x, even though the software detects them as 4x. I have used Nero 5.5.10.20, ImgTools 1.00.4 (which uses Nero API) and DVD Decrypter. I haven't tried RecordMax but I don't see how that could make a difference.

Can anyone help me figure out why the Ritek G03's that I bought from AllMediaOutlet.com only burn at 2X max, and what a reliable, suitable solution can be to the problem? Don't tell me to buy new media or a new burner, that answer isn't acceptable. If it can burn at 4x on some, it should be able to 4x on all if the variables and environments are carefully controlled. Thanx for the help in advance.

Ryan

[fusion007]

cos ritek g03s are 1x or 2xmax not 4x they simply wont burn at this speed(to my knowledge).

[rkorkie]

Ok, sorry, I mean the G04's then. Bottom line, whichever model of Ritek's that can burn at 4x, and the software also detects them as 4x as well...

[gooki]

Hmmm, have you tried it on a clean install without service pack one?

[rkorkie]

other than just trying it for the sake of manipulating variables and environments, do you honestly believe that suggestion has some logical merit? Can you explain? The reason I ask is that it will take me some time to find that disc and do the install on a separate partition...

[2ZOD.COM]

I would try to contact Ritek about it. I bought some 48x Imation CD-R media, and it wouldn't burn at 48x. I gave them a call and they said they would be happy to replace the rest of my spindle, but they weren't sure if it would do anything. Some media just isn't compatible with certain burners at high speeds.

Even though it's only 4x, it's still very fast, so the media may not be compatible. Check the manual that came with your DVD burner and see what media is recommended. That will be your best bet.

edit: http://sony.storagesupport.com/cgi-bin/sonysupport.cgi/i15thXVH50iSqOevTkpv=pq3tcfScojv/faq/view/521 I think this should help you a bit.

[gooki]

because there seems to be a re-accuring pattern of 4x discs not working when xp sp1 is installed.

also why not give record now max a go?

[rkorkie]

much appreciated. I'll try recordmax, and then SP1. I'll post my results.

[Caedel]

I am running XP w/ SP1 and with 4x ritek's they burned at 4x in Nero with firmware 2.0e, no problems...

[rkorkie]

Mine says it's burning at 4x as well, but it takes 30 mins...ie. 2x. Caedel, does yours take 15 mins approx? What is your configuration, in terms of software, hardware channels, etc.

[Caedel]

The longest time i can remember seeing was around 17-18 mins, this includes burning an image file that was about 4GB. I have not burned a 4x disk in over 2 weeks, because the ones i was burning belonged to a friend. Therefore, everything i'm saying is off memory. The image files were of PS2 games, images made in DVD Decrypter. Then burned with Nero. I have DMA enable, the drive is a configured on an IDE cable by itself attached to an ATA/100 controller card. All my system info is in my profile... I hope that answers your question. I still have about 7 2x discs left so i might not have any new 4x for a few weeks. I do remember the 4x discs looked no diff, in color or appearance, than the 2x I have.

[mrbass]

Originally posted by Caedel
I am running XP w/ SP1 and with 4x ritek's they burned at 4x in Nero with firmware 2.0e, no problems...

I've nailed it down finally. Ok I went nuts trying to figure out why sony dru500ax wouldn't burn at 4X my 100 pack of Ritek G04 4X media. Well flashing it to firmware 1.0d solved the problem. So tonight I finish going through my 100 pack and put in a new dvd Ritek G04 4X media which I also ordered from rima.com but it was about a week after I ordered the first 100 pack (I ordered 2nd 100 pack March 14, 2003).

Guess what? that's right it burned at 2X. So I flashed it to 2.0e firmware and they burn happily at 4X.

Moral of the story is all Ritek G04 are NOT the same but the newer batches work just fine with newer Sony DVD Firmware.

edit: ok new moral of the story....don't listen to mrbass. Ok they are burning at 2X with 2.0e....here we go again. This sucks cuz I burned about 85 or so at 4X the last 100 pack with firmware 1.0d.

[mrbass]

ok set it back to 1.0d firmware and everything Nero, DVDDecrypter burn again at 4X. I think they throw a few bads ones at the top of the stack perhaps..who knows.

[rkorkie]

Ok, msbass, so you are running 1.0d, and what is your software and hardware configuration? I'm willing to try anything at this point, it just seems like there are too many uncertain variables? What ide channels and how have you set master/slave? What ASPI layer are you using with windows, etc.? Just info I am trying to put together...

[mrbass]

hd = pri master
lite-on dvd-rom = pri slave
sony dru500ax with 1.0d firmware = sec master
nothing on sec slave

I think forceaspi 4.60 adaptec

http://www.mrbass.org/systems/
my computer system is the first one

[mrbass]

ok it's NOT the sony drive it's the media. I ordered a 100 pack Ritek 4X from rima.com and couldn't burn at 4X until I did firmware 1.0d like I said before. So my next batch I think I've only gotten 2 or 3 to burn at 4X from outta about 25 or so. Screw it...it is like this.

$1.75 each Ritek 4X DVD-R 16mins burning time and a bad batch is 30mins since they'll only burn at 2X.
$1.54 each Ritek 2.4X DVD+R 23 mins burning time (since it doesn't have to close sessions..at least that's one someone said..I hope it's true cuz I just ordered a 100pack).
$3.20 each Verbatim 4X DVD-R 16mins burning time

So 23-16 = 7 mins more but it's 30-23 = 7mins less so I'll be happy for a medium.

Basically people are pulling their hair out for nothing. It's a hit a miss with this Ritek...if you get a good batch or a bad batch. I've gotten one of each.