Upgrading dvd writer

I currently have a Lite-On shw-160p6s with PSOB firmware which is the latest. If I burn a dvd with imgburn on a high quality disk (maxells) at the best possible speed (8x since the disk are rated at 16x) with no background programs running, the dvd still seems to skip a small bit on every standalone dvd player. Although it plays much better on some dvd players than others, I have to assume that this drive is the weak link in the chain. So I am looking to change my dvd writer, however, I have looked at many reviews and sites such as dvdrhelp.com but I want your opinion. Which drive works best for you? Which drive should I buy?

 

Try using Better media like Verbatium, which is a high quality disc.

Burn at 4x.

Cut down the writable area to 4300.

You don't say what programs you use.

I don't think your problem is with your burner.

 

I use dvd decrypter to get the dvd image, then I burn it with imgburn. I have tried so many different things, it must be the burner. And the maxell disks I am using are 1st class media.

 

I believe Verbatium Discs are better My Opinion.

In decrypter you can Change the writable area of your Disc.
You may be burning too close to the edge of the disc.
It's really a good idea to burn at 4x. It only takes a few minutes Longer.

I use to use Maxell myself and I had skipping and freeze ups all the time, the I listened to the advise given on AFTERDAWN and I did everything that I suggested to you. I haven't had a Bad burn in over a year. It's really up to you. My next Burner will be a Sony.

 

I would assume it is the media since you made this statment...

I had Sony media that is 1st class that will play on 1 of my DVD players but it will play like crap on my other 1. The fix was buying Taiyo Yudens or Verbatium.

They have played on any DVD player that I have put them in.

If you do change your media and have the same problem then I would tend to think it is software/hardware problem.

As to the speed most recomend that you burn at half the recomended speed. Never go below 4x. So if they are 4x or 8x burn at 4x. If they are 16x burn at 8x.

On another note about Berryone saying that "DVD decrypter can Change the writable area of your Disc" I would have to disagree. DVD Decrypter is a ripping/burrning program not a Transcoding or encoding program. (DVD Decrypter could output a smaller DVD if you just rip the movie but you can not tell DVD Decrypter to burn the disc to a specific size)

So if you want to output a DVD to a specific size so you do not burn close to the edge then you will have to use whatever program you transcode/encode the DVD with.

 

@larrylje

I stand Corrected.

I meant to say that Shrink is where the writable area can be changed.

 

I just bought a new pack of verbatim dvd-r's whose media code is listed among the first class media list. I burnt a movie at 8x (media rating is 16x) and it still behaves in the same manner. This must mean that the problem lies with the burner. Does anyone else have this burner?

 

I would try 4x speed burns. I burn everything at that speed, no matter what.

Perhaps someone can jump in and correct me if I'm wrong, but I seem to remember a recommendation NOT to use the latest firmware with Lite-Ons. I don't remember where I heard that. Perhaps you can get an older firmware from rpc1.org or cdfreaks.com?

Apart from that, relegate the Lite-On drive to a DVD-reader and get another burner. Tigerdirect has the NEC ND-3550a for $20 after rebate. Pioneer 111 is good, or grab a Benq 1650/1655 if you can find any left. Be advised though that unlike your Litey, none of these will bitset +Rs single-layer discs without some modification. Since you are using -Rs this is not likely to be an issue but should you ever have the desire to use +R 4.7 Gb discs, your Litey can be used to burn them and provide some usefulness.

 

I just borrowed a dvd burnt by my friend on cheap hp media by his LG burner that he bought at the same time I bought my lite on. It works near to flawlessley. It does hiccup maybe twice during the entire movie, wheras the movies I burn hiccup, pixelate, and skip many times. The only option for me now is to buy a new burner I guess, I doubt lite on will do anything for me.

 

Yes It's the burner. Buy a new one ASAP.

 

LG's are okt burners, and would be acceptable if they were the only manufacturer on earth. But they are not: there is NEC, Pioneer, Plextor, and Lite-On - all of which are better than LGs. The only burner I'd put the LG ahead of is Samsung. I say that as an owner of a failed LG burner who's helped a lot a people in the past week with failing LG burners. BTW, "hiccups" are not normal even though it may be better than what you are getting now. You shouldn't have "hiccups" or pixelation. If that happens, it's time to switch your media and or burner.

 

Thanks for all the help. Im looking at a NEC ND-3550 from canadacomputers.com as it is only $39.99 CAD. I looked at the writers list at dvdrhelp.com and it got lots of good reviews so it must be a pretty good burner. I get the impression that NEC manufactures some good drives.

 

That they do. I love my 3550a. I'm thinking about using one of the hacked firmwares so it can bitset single-layer DVD+Rs. Unfortunately, few manufacturers offer this option in their drives. They all bitset DLs though.

 

When I buy this drive, or any drive, should I immediately update the firmware to the latest virsion?

 

Only if you plan on burning +R single-layers. I do -R so I haven't bothered, but folks 'round here like the 1Y6 or the Liggy's 1.06 bitsetting firmware. I'd go with the latter.

http://liggydee.cdfreaks.com/page/

 

I have and love my 3550 with Dee's 1.y6 I have used that firmware since about March and have used the bitsetting capabilities since I have an old Toshiba stand alone that won't take DVD+R otherwise. I liked my 3550 so much I bought my Brotherinlaw one and He has had no problems.

 

theboltz , you might try booktyping thoses DVD+R to DVD-ROM to solve your problem.

gdskater , Lite-On are great drives , don't be afraid to buy another (per my sig) other brands to consider are Plextor (that would be my top choice) or BenQ (but there getting hard to find being there opting out of the burner market) NEC makes pretty good drives/burner though

 

aabbccdd, with the FW 1.y6 I have booktyping and I use it all the time, it works great. I was just suggesting the Nec 3550 with Dee's FW 1.y6 as a good burner.

 

I bought the 3550 and I am loving it so far. I have left the 1.05 firmware on it because it seems to work perfectly for dvd-r movies. The difference between this drive and the lite-on is like night and day. Every movie I have burned out of the box with this drive has been flawless. I also emailed lite-on and they told me to put the drive in another computer and test it under those conditions. They said if it still has issues I should return it to where I bought it, however, I no longer have the receipt so Canada Computers will not take it back or service it. Could it possibly be that my power supply is too weak to power the lite-on? I have a 430w thermaltake.