Ritek and Dupez at 4X on Sony with Lite-on Firmware, with a twist

[markrb]

I went ahead and did the Sony DRU-500A firmware change to the Lite-On firmware to see if I could get 4X writting out of the Ritek's GO4's and the Dupez 4X -R discs. At first it didn't look good as Nero 6.0.?.? would, at best, burn at 2X(although clearly stating it was burning at 4X on the screen), but then I switched back to my old favorite burning software RecordNow MAX 4.5 and low and behold both discs burned at 4X and the DVD-INFO speed scale looks good for both.
15-16 minutes for a full 4.37GB burn with RecordNow Max and the Sony DRU-500A (Lite-On firmware).

I am now going to flash it back to the Sony 2.0f firware and see if just using RecordNow Max makes all the difference I need.

Mark

[markrb]

Statement revised:
Ritek still great at 4X. Dupez=crap so far.
On the DVD-Info speed test I got 182 read errors.
1 disc also failed to even start burning. Stay away from this media, but do try RecordNow Max with Ritek 4X media on the Sony and if it fails under the Sony firmware get the hacked Lite-On firmware.

Off topic edit: These Dupez discs sure do suck. 4 coasters out of 4. I even burned 1 at 1x to see if that would help, but just as bad. I emailed Rima asking if I could exchange these for credit towards the 4X Riteks that have been perfect and 0 errors, even at 4x.

Mark

[markrb]

Update again. I put back the Sony 2.0f firmware and it works fine at 4X with RecordNow Max with the Riteks. The Dupez still suck.

So from my personal experience:

Ritek 4x with Nero 2X burn at best
Ritek 4X with RecordNow Max 4X burn no issues.

Dupez 4X with Recordnow Max burn at both 4X and 1X, but huge error rates.

Mark

[mrbass]

Originally posted by markrb


So from my personal experience:

Ritek 4X with RecordNow Max 4X burn no issues.
Mark

wait till your next pack...it's a gambler's game. I think I spent over 16 hours with this 4X burning issue with Ritek and tried every available firmware and tons of burning apps.

[markrb]

We shall see. The Dupez went back to Rima today.
They are giving me a full credit, minus shipping, for the Dupez towards more Riteks.

In 4 burns the Dupez discs averaged 180+ read errors in DVD-Info.

Not one Ritek had a single read error.

Mark

[caprioles9000]

where did you guys get this lite-on firmware ???

[DMagic1]

http://www.sonycrx2xx.org/DRU500a/500aFAQ.htm

But you probably wont see much difference between that and the 2.0G firmware.

BTW, there is a new Sony DRU 500a firware release by Sony Japan.
2.0H (http://www.sony.jp/products/Consumer/Peripheral/Datastorage/Support/common/fw500a20h.exe)

[caprioles9000]

yep tried the H already and still no go for a 4x speed ..I am using Arita (Ritek G04) media ..and even with the 2.0H i still get the same issue s...first off it starts with 4 speed and then drops to 2x speed :( ....

[markrb]

Is your drive connected with an ATA 66/100 80 conductor/40 pin cable or are you using the old ATA 33 40 conductor/ 40 pin cable?

Try swapping the cable for an ATA 100 cable.

Mark

[DMagic1]

@caprioles9000

Your not the only one with 4x problems with Riteks and a Sony drive. In fact if you are able to burn Riteks at 4x with the Sony you are one of the lucky few.

[caprioles9000]

hey markb ...is your drive an original dru500a drive ..or is it an oem version au10 or something like that?

Well I ahve done the firmware update but nope ..no change .....so for other who are not sure ....maybe it might work maybe it might not ..others have had sucess with this :) ...read it at the firmware page forum :) sucess

[markrb]

I have the original DRU-500a and I have tried three different packs of Ritek 4X -R media and all burn 100% at 4X.

I don't use RecordNow Max much anymore as now I make an image and I will burn it with DVDDcrypter and that has never had a problem at 4X.

I do only use ATA 100 cables though and the drive is the master on the second IDE channel with DMA enabled.

Mark