Hi, I have an HP DVD Writer 840b in a brand-new HP Media Center PC. Whenever I burn dvd-video discs using this drive the movie has brief hesitations every 20 or 30 minutes before continuing play--sort of like the layer break hesitation, which is normal. It's neither the media (always TY or Verb) nor the software (either Decrypter, ImgBurn, or Nero). These discs have the same problem no matter which standalone player I play them in, too. Now, if I burn the exact same ISO or dvd folder using one of my other burners (NEC 2510a, Plextor 716UF) I don't get this problem, so I know it's the HP burner. It has firmware version HI86, which I believe is the most current. Anyone else have this problem, and, if so, what did you do about it? Thanks.
Unfortunantly mrchub,we both have been duped by HP dvd writers. I have the 640C. Yours has the dvd-ram capability as well as the lightscribe. Mine has just the lightscribe.It also came bundled with my HP 1118x-b. I never really like HP drives-way too many posts of members having trouble with them. I didn't expect much from this drive. The issues I had were: Low compatability rate on stand alones/burn coaster on my first hitach Maxell-002-00 full hub printable,and then I tried to re-rip a few and way too many errors.Impossible to re-rip with those crc errors.That was last july,and still not a newer fw update that I am aware of. Benq would have at least 5 fw updates in that time span, LOL You've pretty much narrowed it down to drive issues..No firmware updates,which is usual with the crappier dvd brand names. One thing to try: Try playing one of those HP backups on your pc using the 840b drive. View those areas that the hesitations show up. You may have to do what I do. I use my benqs to burn the lightscribe media,and then run them though the HP 640c to do the lightscribing. At least this drive is not a total pc of crap. A little unorthodox,but hey,I get a few lightscribe backups to show off that are booktyped to dvd-rom and play just about anywhere I want them to!
Thanks, Saugmon. Actually, the lightscribe thing isn't even something I use (I've got an Epson R220, and once you go full color you never go back, at least IMO). I tried playing the discs back on the HP drive and I get the same problems in the same places. My first thought was that maybe the glitches were at the VOB breaks. Not so, unfortunately. Not to put too fine a point on it, but the drive is a POS. Actually, it does burn dvd-roms packed full of avi files OK, so that's something, I suppose. I'm going to contact HP customer support and see if they'll send me a new drive, but even if they do I'll have to be very careful that I watch a bunch of movies I burn with it before having any confidence. I don't have that problem with my other drives...throw in a TY or Verb blank, burn, and then you can have complete confidence that your backup will be flawless six months later. I have one trick up my sleeve if they won't do anything. The machine is from CostCo, and they have a six month return policy, no questions asked!
hey I also was a HP sucker I have the 740b. So I thought it was my home player nope it was the burner so they got me really good. $120 for the hp burner then $80 for a new home player then $90 for a new Lite-on and alot of $$$ testing different media. Oh well live and learn right
That's too bad, bengsxr80. Plus it seems like you're paying through the nose for your equipment. If those are internal burners you're getting ripped off!
Junk Drive! Tell HP that you want the HP 640i drive for the replacement. I believe that is a benq 1655 and your issues should be solved. bengsxr80: You got duped good. That's why I got 3 benq burners. The most I paid for any of then was $50. The other 2 were under $40 and $37 for my last 1640 including shipping. An el-cheapo stand alone of a price of $20-$35 will play just about anything,except my HP640 backups in the plus format.
well yeah they are internal drives and yes i know i could buy cheaper on-line at stores but I like to have it right away its the kid in me that needs instant gradifacation (yeah its spelled wrong)
$37 for my benq 1640 $37 for my magnavox wal mart dvd player,$32 now for them $15 max for any of my high quality dvd+r media- Yuden000-T02/Ritek-R03/Maxell-002-00/MCC-004 in the 50 pack spindles. I had to wait a couple days for that 1640,but with that price including fed-ex,well worth the wait.I'm trying to find another one. Used 1640's on Ebay are going for $50 and more!
