I have problems burning video and I think my firmware needs to be updated. A log shows its 2 years old. I've been sent to the Firmware Page from a good source here and a direct link to my upgrade. I've done some investigating, but is it easy to update my firmware? I heard if you do one thing wrong you can destroy your drive definately. Come someone please either explain the steps to upgrade my firmware or any advice on how dangerous this is to do? Thanks
Hi scottyk Most are fairly simple to do. Usually it's a zip file. Open the zip file and you should have an .exe file. Now before running that - have no other programs running, no disc in the drive and keep the pc on - power esp. (might not be a good idea to update during a thunderstorm). Open and run the .exe file. Sometimes you might have to pick the drive - other times it will search for the correct drive. May have to click ok, start, something along those lines. Takes less than a minute to flash/update. When it's done it will probably say somthing like- successful, done and to reboot. Reboot and your drive will now have the latest firmware. I've done it many times and never had a problem.
Ok That's good. I don't believe I can update my version of firmware. I have NEC ND 3500AG Version 2.98.. Here is the link that Gwendolin gave me to search for update: http://forum.rpc1.org/dl_firmware.php?download_id=1904 I checked the 2.1B version and under the read me file it says "you can only update from firmware version 2.16,2.18,2.19, and 2.1A. Is this 2.98 version rare or something? Is my only other option to try Verbatim discs and if that doesn't work I'm out of luck? I don't believe this is a Nero problem because I can't burn video with any software. Audio burns fine. Thanks.
Your right Nero probably isn't the problem - more of a firmware and/or media problem. 2.98 was an offical NEC firmware for this drive from 10/04. So if you stay with it your best bet is using 8x media like Verbs or made in Japan Fuji or Sony. You may need to update 1st to 2.1A then try the latest 2.1B Here's list of the firmware revisions for your drive: http://www.micheldeboer.nl/firmware/ I'd try updating to 2.1A 1st. See if that one will take and let us know. editted to add: to see the list of frimware revisions for your drive just click on your model on the left. You may not be out of luck. What kind are you using now and what's the rated burned speed?
I tried to update with the 2.1A and 2.1B versions and they both had an error that said: Target NEC ND-3500A is not found correctly I had CMC MAGs then went out and bought Maxell 16xs and attempted from the slowest to max burn speed...same medium error Is there a way to check and see which brands my firmware will p[ick up? Ive burned dozens of movies with CMC mags before which makes me think it may not be a disc issue, but when I try to burn a videos file(mpg) the error: UNABLE TO CREATE THE DISC STRUCTURE came up If I try to flash the 2.1A with binflash could that damage the system or is it a work/no-work situation?
Don't know how much you want to play with the firmware trying 2.19 may be an option (yes bad flashes can wreck havoc) but unable to create a disc structure sounds more like a problem with the files -I'm thinking nero vision (?) What app in Nero are you using? When you say mpg is this a movie? I'm guessing these files are on your hard drive already. The medium error though would probably be due to your drive not liking 16x media. I would try the ones I listed above. Sounds like you have 2 things going on.
I have the Nero 7 ultra edition. Yes the mpg. is on my hard drive.. just a 20 second clip that I have burned on the CMCs before. Could Nero be missing imporatant plug ins or something? I appreciate all your help Binki! Maybe is there a free third burning software(maybe stock) that you know of I can try?
Don't think you're missing a plug in - sounds more like the file is too small for vision as a DVD. Since it's just a 20 sec clip - try the video cd option in burning rom to burn it on cd. editted to add: Is Vision giving you the problem? Oh and you're welcome - hopefully we can get this sorted for you soon!
How could I tell if Vision is the problem? I just successfully burned the video clip in video cd option to a CD-R, where if I go into the mpeg folder I can play it. I'm just trying all other options before I buy more DVDs because I have 125 sitting here I would like to use
Are you just trying to burn 1 clip on each disc? Or was the 20 sec clip just a trial for Vision? My guess is this 20 sec clip is too small for Vision - reason you get the unable to create dvd structure - just a guess still.
I have a whole bunch of clips(20 sec.) that I was trying singularly and together and whole movies also... its all coming up the same error Unable to create a disc strusture I'm scared to try the Verbatims and Sonys because if that doesn't work I think I might just have to suck it up and bulk up my CD collection;(
For the little clips me personally I would use burning rom and make video cd's. Now for full movies if these are back ups of originals - I wouldn't use Vision for that. One thing Vision is used for is to convert/transcode files (certain ones) into DVD compliant files. If these are back ups they are all ready in this format. What are you using to rip the movies to your hard drive? You may just need to burn them using Burning Rom or Express.
wow. Ive never gotten this much attention on a forum before!Well I'm a bit confused on the difference between burning rom and vision, etc. I used DVDShrink to shrink and decode. Then tried to burn the VOB,etc. files with Nero-'Make your own DVD'.. I successfully made the video cd, but you cant watch it on a dvd player. I don't see what the purpose of it is then. I know I need to look this stuff up but I am burnt.
Oh my scottyk! You are making this a little to hard for yourself maybe on the movies. Okay I think we need to take this one step at a time. Let's start with the movie backups. Now Shrink will autoburn with Nero. When you click 'back up' in shrink select your drive under 'select backup target'. It will do it all in one step now - rip,compess and burn. No need to use 'make your own dvd' unless you want to edit which I don't think you're after. Here's a guide for you: http://www.afterdawn.com/guides/archive/dvd9_to_dvdr_with_dvd_shrink.cfm Since Shrink is no longer updated it can no longer handle the latest copy protections. If it gives you an error than you'll need something like AnyDVD running in the background (great & handles anything - free 21 day trial) or rip the files 1st w/ dvdfab decrypter (free) then open those in Shrink and process as usual. Yes this can be alot to take in - but those are the basics for Shrink and copy protections. Now your video clips - what are you trying to accomplish with those?
The only reason I tried to install the video manually was because it failed to do so automatically. I understand how shrink works.Sorry I forgot to tell you that.. The three movies I tried to burn were actually brand new movies. Thats why I tried to encode first with shrink, then cloneDVD and still came up with the same problem only when it came burning time.. This process took about an hour so I figured to experiment and try to root the problem, I would just try to burn one downloaded video clip so when the error comes up I didn't waste lots of time. So then I took one of my old owned movies and tried to burn with that and the same story:decodeing was 'fine', but it would not burn. With the video clips I am just trying to make a mixed dvd of about 50 funny clips for me and the guys to just sit around and watch. I think I'll just try the Ver. first. Does updating your firmware allow you to use different brand DVDs? Is that the purpose of UPGRADING it?thanks.
Ok gotcha. My guess is the reason the burns failed w/ Shrink & CloneDVD was probably media related. Since the firmware in your drive is from 2004 - newer media may give it a problem. If you can't get it updated and even if you can use the ones I listed above. Yep that's bascially what firmware does - updates the media codes in the drive with the correct write strategies and burn speeds. Those CMC you were sucessful with though I would stay away from (been there done that and what a pain having to redo them!) The video clips - when you said you were able to burn it before on CMC media what did you use? I know you were able to use burning rom video cd option. Just trying to narrow down the possiblities.
