I've been reading on the forum about how to make my DVD burning the best, but there's so much info it's overwhelming. So I thought I'd just see if you would all be so kind as to answer my questions. I have some home videos that I'd like to put on DVD and take them off the hdd, but I don't want to lose something with a bad burn, media that wears out, etc. 1. I'm using HP DVD+R 8X media. Is this okay, or should I try to get something else? I did a burn with Nero and then a disk quality check. I'd put the results up on here but I'm not sure how. Help? 2. I have a Phillips 8701 that came with my Dell, but I've read some posts about cross flashing it. Would that be helpful for the burn quality? If so, how do I do it so that I don't screw up my drive? 3. This is related to 2: Could someone explain what cross flashing and firmware are? 4. Are there any other things (I know about keeping burn speed low and not doing anything else on the computer) I should know to make the best quality disk possible? Thanks so much to everyone. You've already helped me out a ton and I'm sure you will help me even more.
here is a useful thread to read: http://forums.afterdawn.com/thread_view.cfm/274131 and when you're done with that...... read this one..... it also has guides: http://forums.afterdawn.com/thread_view.cfm/183136 this should get you started! good luck.
I would only stick with either Verbatim or Taiyo Yudens. There's another one, I think it's Ridata but since finding Verbatim and TY's, I haven't even considered using anything else. Updating the firmware (flashing) is just like updating a particular software you use. By doing this, your burner will now be able to read, write, handle newer media. For example, if you bought a burner that was only capable of 4x burning, by getting the particular update, you can now burn at 8x and so on. It's always healthy to update the firmware, to the point where most companies tell you to do it. Cross flashing can be tricky. You can really fudge up your player if you do the wrong one. Make sure if you are going to cross flash it, that it's the correct update. And those guides are all you will neeed *Edit* I almost forgot, booksetting/typing is also very big. This can only be done with DVD+R discs. Instead of having your stand alone player thinking that you have DVD+R discs, it'll read it as a DVD-Rom disc, the format that commercial dvds are set to. Depending on the program you use, you can do this. Decryptor can do it but since i have liteons, I just downloaded their program to do it.
Mr Pink..... all that you said is a little redundent if you read the thread that I suggested in my above reply!~ http://forums.afterdawn.com/thread_view.cfm/183136 but you have to read it! LOL nice going, spelling everything out.
Dell has its own fw for this burner that is posted on its site. Beware if you crossflash with fw that is not Dell's and muck up the drive, you have voided your warranty and Dell will not be responsible.
Thanks to everyone. The guides were super helpful--they're exactly what I was trying unsucessfully to find before I posted this. One more question that I'm sure is answered in a billion different places: Is there any advantage to bookmarking if the stand alone player can read DVD+R? Thanks again to all!
yes...... even though your player might have always read your DVD+Rs.... you might want to rest assure that other players..... like your friends will accept your DVD+R and play correctly.... it's for more acceptance! That's why you booktype to begin with!
Shoot yer wife, beat yer dog, an sell yer kids, find some-one who'll unlock the door; jest 't throw some feed in... The rest is easy.. regards.
Mr_Pink, This isn't necessarily true. You will usually be required to crossflash your drive with f/w to a newer/later model in order to burn at a faster speed than the drive was originally speced out to burn at. Updating the f/w for your model of drive however will usually allow it to recognize new media as it becomes available on the market and media with faster burn speed ratings.
