Question Is my DVD Writer bad?

[ramki89]

I have 2 DVD Writers. One is internal SATA that’s already connected in my desktop PC and another is a USB DVD writer.

I have a car audio player that plays CDs. It does not have USB port. Now to keep changing the songs I generally use CD-RW. I have a few CD-RWs with me. The strange thing is when I burn them using my internal SATA DVD writer, the resulting CD-RW does not play in car stereo. Car stereo shows something like FRAMETRD on its display. Google returned no results for this string.

However when I burn the same CD-RW using my USB DVD writer, it just works fine.

However CD-RWs regardless of the writer, work fine on my Windows 11 PC.

Am I missing something when it comes to SATA DVD Writer?

 

[lakedude]

Is this a new development?

I suspect you are using different software or different settings between the drives. The internal drive is unlikely to be at fault.

Sorry if you already know this but computers can read a disk in any format but a car CD player is likely to require a special "finalized" audio format.

If you can't figure it out u can just use the external?

 

[ramki89]

Yes it's a new development!
Earlier the same internal DVD writer worked fine. Now MP3 discs (CDRW) burnt on it do not play anymore.
I am still using the same app. BurnAware Free and as far as I know it by default is supposed to use ISO9660 when you choose MP3 CD. As far as I know Car audio players only understand this CD format. You insert UDF disk and they generally give ERROR 23.
FRAMETRD is new thing to me, and in last 5 years this is first time something like this is happening. It's not even mentioned in the manual!!
So far I am using the external USB writer but I am wondering what's wrong with SATA writer.

It sits well in the cabinet and has always been convenient than external one!

 

[lakedude]

However CD-RWs regardless of the writer, work fine on my Windows 11 PC.

I should think this proves your internal writer is okay.

Maybe use some sort of program to read the specific format used by both working and non-working disks and compare?

Finalizing was always an issue in older audio CD players.

 

[lakedude]

Since your car player is new enough to read mp3s the finalized audio thing isn't likely to be the issue.

Could be the RWs, try an R.

 

[ramki89]

Ok, BTW I have rechecked the exact string as shown on the display. It's FRMTREAD.

Now Google has some references, that are from 2010 posts on a few forums.
It indicates Format Read.

Recommendations are usual like try different media/software/burner etc

 

[tcsenter]

I should think this proves your internal writer is okay.

Not necessarily, as the reader/writer for PC has more broad format support, better ability to read discs that are marginal in some way (e.g. scuffed, scratched, poor burn 'quality' or integrity). Pure 'read only' CD (ROM) drives/players often give-up and error out trying to read a CD where a writer would not, having more ability to try various methods of reading the CD (and apps can access some of those features). I would not be surprised at all to find a CD, recordable or pressed, that has troubles being read by a ROM drive but no troubles in a writer.

However CD-RWs regardless of the writer, work fine on my Windows 11 PC.

You mean the particular CD-RW discs that give error in the car player will work fine as a MP3 disc or can be read without trouble in your PC? Using the same internal SATA writer?

I assume you have not changed any settings of your Burn Aware program? Or even recently updated it to a newer version (that could have introduced some kind of bug, or changed an advanced setting for book type, write method/strategy, etc)? Are they same CD-RW that once worked or different brand/pack? Have you tried reducing the burn rate/speed?

I have forgotten much of this stuff in the past 10 years. It not really worth sifting through all the potential variables. Just pick up a new (or used, with guarantee) CD/DVD writer. I recommend a model that supports DVD-RAM discs (even if you never use it) as a proxy for a better quality, more capable writer. I used to understand why but it escapes me now.

 

[lakedude]

I feel a little like we are in the Princess Bride.

That the car player can read disks from the external indicates that the car player is good so I can clearly not choose the wine in front of me.

BUT

Since the internal can read it's own written disks indicating it is good so I can obviously not choose the wine in front of you.

FRMTREAD

The posts I saw on this pointed more toward the car reader than the burners.

Finally in my experience the RW was the most flaky of all the disk formats, except the occasional +/-R incompatibility.

 

[tcsenter]

I feel a little like we are in the Princess Bride.

That the car player can read disks from the external indicates that the car player is good so I can clearly not choose the wine in front of me.

BUT

Since the internal can read it's own written disks indicating it is good so I can obviously not choose the wine in front of you.

🤣 🤣

The posts I saw on this pointed more toward the car reader than the burners.

Finally in my experience the RW was the most flaky of all the disk formats, except the occasional +/-R incompatibility.

I had TWO 10-pack boxes of highly rated FujiFilm CD-RW 4x that are from like 2008, individually in shrink wrapped jewel cases, stored the entire time inside climate controlled home/closet. I pulled them out last year and tried to burn one (for what purpose I cannot remember). The first two discs would error either during writing or reading once burned. I thought it had to be my burner, which was about 10 years old. So I purchased a new one (manufactured in 2020 according to date mark on label), different major brand. Latest firmware updates for both drives. Same problem. So it was the discs. I tossed the rest.

 

[ramki89]

Yes, I am using same burn aware app, and absolutely same settings on each pass.

Now in my region specific Amazon site, DVD writers (Internal SATA) are no longer available (it’s 2024!!). Whatever is available is imported one which are expensive. In that cost I can easily buy a new Car Audio player with USB port. So at the moment, I am going to use my SATA DVD writer as Reader device and USB one as Writer device, until they totally fail. After which I will shift to car audio player with USB port.

I have been using optical media drives starting from CD-ROM and all of their variants like CD Writer, DVD Combo, DVD Writer, M-Disc support and so on for quite some time now and even today in 2024 it feels so nice to burn optical media

Thank you very much all of you for your input and guidance.

 

[tcsenter]

As a last "what the heck" Hail Mary try, since it is not a terrible effort, try cleaning the optical pickup/sensors (which is almost never the problem). Disassemble enough to gain access. They look like a tiny round lens. Dip a cotton swab into isopropyl (a.k.a. rubbing) alcohol, lightly wetting it but not soaked or dripping, put the tip of the swab onto the lens and lightly twist it back and forth several times. Repeat with 2nd swab, then repeat that motion using a clean swab to dry it. Allow to dry for 10 minutes, maybe hit with some compressed air (from those air canisters, a squeeze bulb for camera lens or glasses, whatever), put it back together and give it a test.

 

[ramki89]

Ok..sure, someday I will try it!!

 

[tcsenter]

Ok..sure, someday I will try it!!

Since slim/laptop DVD writers are still available in your country, check availability for something like this adapter kit for installing slim optical drive into 5.25 in. bay:

ICY DOCK 5.25” Bay to + Ultra Slim ODD Bay Mounting Kit Bracket Adapter | Flex-FIT Duo MB343SPO

Also supports 3.5" SATA SSD/HDD installed below it.

 

[Oyeve]

Try burning at a slower speed if possible. I went through something similar over a decade ago when hi speed burners were new. I had to burn at a slower speed for better compatibility.