External Pioneer 109

[bensboss8]

Hi Again all,

Long time off but hello and thanks to all who've helped me before.

I've just bought two nice new Pioneer 109s.
One is in my desktop (Athalon 3000, 512 etc) and the other is in a caddy for USB connection (to laptop or desktop).

My problem is that the external drive is nearly 3 times slower than the internal one.

It takes 22 mins to burn a 4+GB image whereas the internal drive takes 8 1/2 mins for the same file.
It claims to be burning at 8 x speed and makes good discs but why is it so slow?

My laptop is an IBM Thinkpad T40 and both PCs are USB 2.0.

Please help.

TIA

[cynthia]

You have the latest drivers for your USB channel installed?

[bensboss8]

Hi Cynthia

Both machines have XP Pro with SP2 and all recent updates.
If I look at 'Device manager' on the Thinkpad and expand 'USB controllers' it lists (amongst others) 'Intel 82801DB/DBM 2.0 Enhanced Host Controller - 24CD'

Similarly on desktop, I see 'Standard Enhanced PCI to USB host controller'

The Thinkpad is quit a recent install of XP which I then updated with all the relevant drivers from IBM's site. I couldn't find a specific USB driver so it is running with whatever is built into XP Pro, but as I say, it lists '2.0 Enhanced USB'

I'm stuck - should the drive's performance be as good as if it was mounted internally on IDE? Surely USB 2.0 is fast enough?

[cynthia]

Assume you use the same discs on both burners so I don't think that is the problem. If you are burning with Nero you could try to use DVD Decrypter for burning - just to rule out the software.

[bensboss8]

I have tried Decrypter and it still runs slow.
The Thinkpad (Centrino 1.3) Shrinks and encodes surprisingly fast but is then let down by v.slow burning.

I may try IBMs (very helpful - highly recommended) helpline but they may just blame the non-IBM drive.

Anyone else out there use an IDE burner in a USB caddy enclosure and if so, how does it perform?

[cynthia]

You have the latest firmware installed for your burner?

[bensboss8]

The burner is brand new, plus the 109 is a new model.
Are there likely to be any firmware updates available?

I have also tried removing my trusted and faithful Pioneer 107 and fitting it in the caddy. It's performance is also dramatically affected.

I talked to a friend last night (MCSE and runs own PC business). He says external performance should be as good as internal, but cant explain the fault.

RATS!!

[cynthia]

Originally posted by bensboss8
Are there likely to be any firmware updates available?

Yes. http://www.pioneer.co.uk/uk/support_...are#fdvdwriter

[bensboss8]

Hi again

Thanks for the link.
I downloaded the firmware but it doesn't unzip!!
I'll call Pioneer's helpline in the morning.

I am a bit frightened of updating the firmware - never done it before and loads of warnings up and down Pioneer's site!!

Is it likely to improve matters??
The drives are fine when mounted internally and have no problems with asny of the media I use.
The blurb on Pioneers page makes no mention of external speed fixes or anything else relevant to the problem.

I'll try Pioneer's helpline tomorrow but any more help before then would still be very welcome.

Many Thanks.

[cynthia]

Originally posted by bensboss8
I downloaded the firmware but it doesn't unzip!!

Just download it - it will "unzipp" itself. Run the file after it's downloaded and follow the instructions (=click ok) and just make sure you don't have any other programs running and no disc in the burner while you do this.

[bensboss8]

Hi Cynthia

I was being stupid with the download.
I've downloaded and run it (it ran from a DOS window - hope this is correct).
NO CHANGE - it still burns at a snail's pace.
Same burn time as before.

[cynthia]

Originally posted by bensboss8
run it (it ran from a DOS window - hope this is correct).

If you run it from Windows - it will automatic open a DOS window a create the update. Have you checked - if it installed the latest version?

[bensboss8]

It seemed to update correctly and gave a message that it had done so.
How do I check what version of firmware the drive is running?

[cynthia]

www.dvdinfopro.com a freeware program.

[bensboss8]

Nice app' - thanks.
It's on firmware version 1.17 (the latest I think).
Still stuck!!