Question before I give up Completely

[Adam40291]

Hey guys...

I bought a 5 pack of Memorex DVD+R 4.7 GB, 4X when I first got my burner, just to get my feet wet. That backups I made with those were flawless, so I went back out to the store and bought a 25 pack of the same discs, and now I can't seem to get any good backups.

I tried adjusting the burn speed down from 4X to 2.4X and then 2X and finally 1X, nothing is working. I tried using DVD Decrypter to rip the files, and I tried the MODE->ISO-R->ISO-W to rip the files, when that didn't work I tried MODE->FILE to rip the disc...still no go. I even uninstalled and reinstalled my version of DVD Decrypter, which is the newest available.

I think its the discs...but I can't be sure.

[setarip]

You'd be hardpresssed to find a positive posting about Memorex burnable DVD media, at these or other forums...

[jmet]

Me personally, I have NEVER had a successful burn with Memorex media!

[blutach]

Attaboy Adam. Don't give up.

Tell us your burner, player, firmware etc and we'll recommend some real good disks for you.

Regards

[Adam40291]

Originally posted by blutach
Tell us your burner, player, firmware etc and we'll recommend some real good disks for you.

Regards

I will post my burner, player and firmware details later. I have heard good things about Verbatim discs (except a couple of posts on here) and my wedding DVD was done for me on one and it plays fine...the trouble is, I can't seem to find Verbatim DVD+R anywhere.

[blutach]

Adam,

Please read Media Quality in my sig. You will find BRAND NAME IS IRRELEVANT. You will need to go by media ID.

Regards

[Adam40291]

Originally posted by blutach
Tell us your burner, player, firmware etc and we'll recommend some real good disks for you.

Okay...here's what I've got,

DVD Player in question: Toshiba SD-V290, according to videohelp.com, this player should read DVD+R and DVD+RW. Compatible media appears to be Ritek 1xDVD-R (RITEKG03)
Samsung 1xDVD-R (BeAll G00001) and Verbatim (DataLifePlus).

Media I have Used (successfully and unsuccessfully):
Memorex, Media ID CMC MAG-F01-00 (not sure if that's the correct ID, it came from a successfully burned movie) I have used 5 of these discs successfully. Memorex Media ID: Prodisc-R03-03, I have used 5 of these as well, and made five coasters. CompUSA Media ID: AML-001-00. I have had intermittent success with these discs...some play, some don't butmy failure rate is a bout 75%.
digitalfaq.com rates the CMC discs as 4th rate, being garbage, they rate the Prodisc as being 2nd rate, and they generally speak down about CompUSA manufactured discs, but don't list the AML manufacturer on their list.

DVD Burner I have: I/O Magic IDVD16DD. Videohelp.com lists mixed reviews from owners of this burner, with about 50% liking it and 50% not. Seems like it might be a problem burner. Current firmware version is G7C9 (ATA) and as far as I know there is no firmware update available.

Software method used: DVD Decrypter to decrypt DVD's to hard drive of computer. DVD Shrink to compress video files and DVD Decrypter to burn, always at 2x speed...have had no luck at all with speeds higher or lower than 2x.

So now that you all know everything I've done, what say you? Should I pack it in and forget about backing up my beloved DVDs? Or is there some hope?

[setarip]

If I may suggest, you have a poor quality burner. Nowadays, you can obtain a high quality burner, such as a Pioneer for approximately $60-$80US - "And away go troubles down the drain"...

[blutach]

Most of the stuff you have quoted is, as digitalfaq.com have said, just garbage. Prodisc is pretty good, but it obviously doesn't suit your burner.

I use Ritek R03s (8x +R, burned at 4x) on my players and have never made a coaster. Not a one. I don't even have bitsetting on my burner.

However, a google search of this burner shows that while the price is right, there are many folks who are having problems with it. Reviews are mixed.

http://www.cdrinfo.com/Forum/tm.asp?m=101990

http://www.circuitcity.com/rpsm/oid/...etailReview.do (Interesting review about firmware upgrades if it's tagged a Benq)
http://www.videohelp.com/dvdwriters....ist=2#comments (Interestingly, the Ritek R03 comes out good with this burner in this review)

In respect of the firmware, you say you have G7C9. This sounds like the Benq 1620 (which is a similar featured drive) - see here, where the latest is G7M9. You might like to investigate this further, but it could be the major source of your hair loss.

So, I suspect if you get yourself some Ritek R03s and flash your firmware, you'll probably never have another problem.

Good luck Adam.

Regards

[Adam40291]

@Setarip...that was a very kind way of saying I have crap on my computer...LOL...I'm not offended in the least...I didn't build the thing, my wife did and at the time, you were exactly right, the price was right. I'm going to look into it further.

@Blutach...okay, so I need the Ritek discs...is there anyway to know which those are without buying them first? Also, what brand names carry that media ID...and finally, where can I get that firmware upgrade, as the I/O Magic website showed that there was no firmware upgrade available for my burner.

Thanks again everyone for all your help...but if this doesn't work...I don't know what else is left...except torching the damn computer. LOL

[blutach]

1. I bought my disks online here in OZ. I called them and specifically asked for them to test their Ritek branded disks for media code, which they did. I accept ONLY R03 by Ritek and they understood that if they supply me anything else, I send them back at their expense for a full refund.

2. I have provided a link to the firmware upgrade above ("In respect of the firmware ...")

3. As for torching the PC, it seems that it's just the burner at this stage and in particular, the choice of media (you need lotsa coasters for when friends come over, anyway - pop an adhesive label on your coasters (can't make 'em any worse) - would be a good talking point!).

4. Remember, also, your player has to like the disks. Isn't this fun?

Regards

[Adam40291]

Originally posted by blutach
In respect of the firmware, you say you have G7C9. This sounds like the Benq 1620 (which is a similar featured drive) - see here, where the latest is G7M9. You might like to investigate this further,

Okay, I checked the link you provided, but I can't find a match for my burner anywhere on this page...you said it sounds like the Benq1620, but I'm afraid if its not an exact match then I will fry my burner (I have been told by others that if drives are flashed incorrectly you can ruin them). I don't want to flash my drive until I can be certain its the right firmware. If I/O Magic isn't a listed manufacturer what can I do?

[blutach]

Well, why don't you wait till Monday and call the retailer or IO Magic and ask them.

From the 2nd link (circuit city) above:
"I probably shouln't be saying this cause I would hate it if ever prevented but this drive is made by one of 2 makers, BenQ and a no name maker. If its BenQ on the tag then you can flash firmware to newest from BenQ worldwide home site and have DL speeds 4x and have one of the best drives out there for the money. Love this drive! Its all in the firmware with something this new for compatibility with media and speed/Quality and BenQ delivers. Forum search from sites like -------.com"

Having said all that, your firmware G7C9 IS a Benq ID.

Regards

[Adam40291]

Thanks Blutach. Should have read the link...sorry, I get kind of fet up about links since I have a slow dialup connection. Wish me luck...I'm gonna flash the drive...but just so I know...how would I have found out otherwise that the firmware was a Benq ID?

[blutach]

Just look at "update my firmware" in my sig. Go through a few. They all have their own little ways of identifying their firmware. Somtimes they are similar but oftentimes quite unique.

Not much use us providing links if you ain't gunna read them!

Regards