Lite On LDW-411S - Only writes at 2x

[Kelemvor]

I've had this drive for a long time and never really noticed this problem before. However I'm copying some files onto DVD and both Roxio and Nero will only burn at 2x speed. I'm using 8X Fuji DVDs that I've never had a problem with but I can't figure out why they are writing too slow. In both programs when I check the write speed options, 2x is the only thing listed in the dropdown box.

I have the latest FS0K firmware and am stuck as to what might be causing this.

I'm using Nero 6 and Roxio 7. Haven't tried anything else.

Thanks.

 

[TheRyuu]

Originally posted by: FrankyJunior
I've had this drive for a long time and never really noticed this problem before. However I'm copying some files onto DVD and both Roxio and Nero will only burn at 2x speed. I'm using 8X Fuji DVDs that I've never had a problem with but I can't figure out why they are writing too slow. In both programs when I check the write speed options, 2x is the only thing listed in the dropdown box.

I have the latest FS0K firmware and am stuck as to what might be causing this.

I'm using Nero 6 and Roxio 7. Haven't tried anything else.

Thanks.

Thats a very know problem (at least to me). I think it will always burn 8x media at 2x. I have the same burner. Even after doing a nice "free" upgrade to the 811s, it still does the same thing.

My advice, go out and get a new one at newegg (not that you have to go out either, but i'm just saying) and get yourself a new dvd burner. They are like $40, real cheap. I don't know of a fix for this problem, just that it has been going on for a long time.

 

[Kelemvor]

It's not that big of a deal that I'll go buy a new drive. Just figured it'd save me a bit of time it I could speed it up.

 

[RobbyG]

The Media ID is probably not supported by the firmware so it defaults to 2x. If you don't mind patching your firmware you can head on over to cdfreaks here and check out the OmniPatcher to see if your Media ID is included, or if not you can enter it manually.

Use at your own risk, but then again nothing ventured nothing gained!

 

[TheRyuu]

Originally posted by: RobbyG
The Media ID is probably not supported by the firmware so it defaults to 2x. If you don't mind patching your firmware you can head on over to cdfreaks here and check out the OmniPatcher to see if your Media ID is included, or if not you can enter it manually.

Use at your own risk, but then again nothing ventured nothing gained!

I tried that too. I just got an idea. Why not use omni patcher and make what ever 8x media, default to 4x speeds in the firmware. You'll need unscrambled firmware though. While your doing this you can also crossflash to an 811s too while your at it.

Go Here

Download latest 411s firmware and omnipatcher. You can then manually set speed for correct media ID to 4x.

Also you can crossflash drive to 811s if you like, but its a tad more risky if you don't know what your doing.

 

[Kelemvor]

I already have the latest 411s formware which I think is F0sk or something like that. but it's old.

Based on this info:
http://codeguys.rpc1.org/oc.html

Since I'd be going from 41s to 811s, Id' have to get the eeprom utility to modify that and would I then have to get an upgraded firmware besides and flash it too? Wonder if that would work.

Of course if I kill the drive I'd jsut have to go buy a new LightScribe drive.

Also, this is what LiteOn said when I emailed them.... I always thought that since the drive was 4x, if the media was greater than that, it'd default back to 4... not go all the wya down to 2.

Dear Sir or Madam,

Since this drive LDW-411S is manufactured with the 4X burning speed technology,
but the media you used is 8X, so sometimes, it is probably the drive could not
recognize these medium correctly.
Under such situation, the drive will auto-adjust the actual strategy, sacrifice
higher speed for better performance.
So as this model is concerned, we would suggest you always choose 4x discs in
order to get a exact writing speed as marked.

If you could burn 4X media properly, that should be normal.
Thank you for your understanding and consideration.

 

[TheRyuu]

Quick guide to crossflashing 411s to 811s.
YOU COULD JUST USE GOOGLE, but I decided to help you out. (GOOGLE FTW!!!)

Crossflashing a drive is as easy as checking a box.
Unrar both files that you downloaded (rar/zip, the firmware 811s and omnipatcher 2.4.2)

Open up omnipatcher and then open up the 811s firmware file. The exe one not the bin one (it won't say exe, but the bin one is in a different folder so it's the first one you come across). Then basically go to DVD Media Support tab, hit apply recommened tweaks. Then go to General Patches tab and check the "fix the dead drive blink/enable cross-flashing". Also while in that tab, max out all the read speeds on the bottom, just to get faster reading. Then save as w/e you want and its like normal firmware flashing then.

While that dosn't solve your 8x at 2x problem, you just got a free 811s, so stop complaining.

If you wanted to possibly solve your 8x at 2x problem, you would have to find your "media id" of the dvd-r's that you use. Thats not the brand name. Use something like (if you have nero) Nero Toolkit's: Nero Info tool. Under disc tab maby that could help you. Then after you find your media ID, in omnipatcher, go to DVD Media Support tab, scrool down and find your media, then there are check marks that mark off the speeds you can burn at, try only having 4x checked, with out 2x being checked.

Does anyone else agree with me?

 

[Kelemvor]

ut since the drive itself is only rated at 4x... Is it safe to put it to an 811 and then burn at 8x? Not sure what other benefit there is to flashing it to be an 811. Can I just leave it as a 411 and modify the info so that it recognizes the DVDs as 4x instead of 2x?

 

[TheRyuu]

Originally posted by: FrankyJunior
ut since the drive itself is only rated at 4x... Is it safe to put it to an 811 and then burn at 8x? Not sure what other benefit there is to flashing it to be an 811. Can I just leave it as a 411 and modify the info so that it recognizes the DVDs as 4x instead of 2x?

Yes. And the really wouldn't be a problem at burning at 8x just to let you know. It would potentialy shorten the life of the laser, but ya know, it's like cd's lasting for 100years, you can't prove it.

 

[Kelemvor]

Well, I EEPROM'd it and Flashed it and when I rebooted it said I have an LDW-811S now so I guess that worked. ANd of course the DVDs I use are Fujis which are really ProdiscF01 weren't in the list so I added it hopefully correctly.

Will have to do a test burn tonight and see what happens.

And since DVD-Rs only burn at 4x anyway I guess it doesn't make much difference if it's the 411 or the 811.

 

[TheRyuu]

Let me know how it goes.

 

[Kelemvor]

Well, I burnt an almsot full DVD or AVI files in 15 minutes so I guess that means it worked. Haven't tested the DVD in a player but my computer can read it just fine.

Thanks for the help.