Problems with my NuTech DVD burner!

[MAME]

I have the Nu-Tech DDW-082 DVD-RW drive. Although my first burn went fine on Ritech 4x -R media, the second and third burns did not go so well.

I'm using the Nero 6 software that came with the drive and Firmware B70 (came with it). It said there was a write error and quit on the second and third burns. Well the second dvd was trash but the third dvd still managed to work as far as I can tell, even though I got an error.

Sooooo, I went online and found the fireware update. I downloaded it and it says, "Your device is not allowed to update this FW!"

What the hell! I have a 082, I don't understand. In fact, all the firmware updates from nuTech's site do NOT work with this drive.

This drive (and entire computer actually) that I'm using is for my roommate's parents and I'd really really like to get it working perfectly before I give it to them. Does anyone have any suggestions?!

It could be the software (I heard it was fine), the media (I heard it was fine too), the firmware or the drive itself or something else that ignorant me has no idea about. Please give me some ideas if possible, thanks!

 

[Insane3D]

Something sounds whacked. I just got this burner a couple weeks ago myself, and the B370 firmware was junk. Burns seemed to burn fine in NEro 6, but after I ran a surface scan, there were errors all over the place. The B373 was MUCH better, and the B375 works like a charm...at least with +R. The one knock on this drive is it sucks burning -R, and is VERY picky about media. I was going to be using solely +R media, so I didn't mind.

I can't understand why you can't flash it though. I actually flashed all three of the firmwares several times to do some testing, and the program worked fine everytime. Are you SURE it's a DDW-082 and not a refurb 081 someone flashed to a 082?

I'm really starting to get mixed feelings about this drive the more I use it. With the newer firmwares, 4x +R burns @ 8X and surface scans reveal no errors, but when I run the media quality test in the new version of Nero CD/DVD speed, it's not so pretty. All the burns work in my DVD players and drives, so I'm not sure how much faith I should put in that particular program. You don't have any media in the drive when you are trying to flash right?

I haven't tried any -R media, but in my research, I really didn't hear much positive about the drives -R capabilities. The B375 would probably help you immensly, but I have no idea why it won't let you flash it.

Edit:

After further use, I decided the performance was a bit too erratic for my liking. I'm starting to be more interested in a quality burn than a fast burn. Also, the buffer is funny sometimes when burning...most of the time it jumps between 84% and 97%, which is fine, but I have had a couple burns where it will drop to 75%, and even down to the 50's at some points. I called up Newegg, talked to a nice lady and explained the situation with the burner. She offered to waive the 15% restock if I ordered another burner first, so I did.

I wasn't sure which one I would get, until I saw the NEC 2510A came in silver, so that sealed it for me. Did you get it @ Newegg?

 

[JackBurton]

Have I mentioned I LOVE my 2510a? I don't know why you guys went with the NuTech burner. The NEC 2500a was a sweet as hell drive. Nice speed and very accurate burns. So when the 2510a came out for under $100 and support for DL, it was a no-brainer. And if you didn't like the colors they had out at the time (black & beige), get the beige drive and paint it whatever color you'd like. That's what I did.

 

[Insane3D]

I don't know why you guys went with the NuTech burner.

I went with it because it is one of the fastest +R drives out there, it was cheap, and it burns my 4X Ritek 4x +R (RICOH JPNR01) @ 8x...error free...well based on what program I use. All the surface scans I've done on the discs are clear, it's only that new Nero CD/DVD Speed "write quality" test that worries me. The DVD's play in three set top players I've tried, and the movies all play through with no skipping or errors. The Nu Tech was burning a full 4.5GB +R's in under 7 minutes....that's fast.

I actually may keep mine yet. I'll see how the NEC does, but it's not one of the faster dual drives out there, but it is popular, and the write quality is top notch from everything I've read. However, it will not burn any 4X media @ 8x from what I've seen...just a few choice +R's will burn @ 6X. I'll probably use both side by side and decide if I want to RMA the Nu Tech, or just keep it.



Edit:

As for painting, that was what I was going to do with the Nu Tech, but I was concerned if I had to do an RMA someday, I would be screwed. Painting my Pioneer DVD-Roms and my CDRW's faceplates was no biggee since they are so cheap, but if the Nu had decided to quit in say a month, I would be out $75...not alot but enough. I suppose I could try and remove the paint with acetone, but that would probably be a PITA. The one knock I have one the NEC and a reason I didn't get it over the Nu is the faceplate. It sounds silly to most people, but the looks of my setups are important to me, and the NEC faceplate is..well...meh. At least it's not as bad as the Plextors with their stupid stripe on the front. I wonder why some of the best faceplates are on the cheaper drives...*shrug*

 

[JackBurton]

It sounds silly to most people, but the looks of my setups are important to me, and the NEC faceplate is..well...meh.

Well I'm glad it's important to someone other than me. I'm also very picky about the look of my PC. Biggest pet peeve, colored cases (usually black) with different shades of beige drives. :disgust: Not good.

 

[Insane3D]

Yeah, I run the AMS Aluminum gTower for my main system, and the light silver color with the clear plexi front makes it hard to match drives. Unpainted, beige looks much better, and I think black would look good too, but it would be the only black thing on the case, and if I didn't like it, black is probably a bit more of a pain to paint a lighter color like silver. I actually ordered the beige 2510A and about a 1/2 hour later discovered the silver one for about $3 more. The silver looks like it's a lighter shade, at least from Newegg's pictures, and should look nice.

 

[ScrapSilicon]

ask RobCur about the NuTech

DW800A @847 and still going..

 

[Insane3D]

ask RobCur about the NuTech

Que'?

 

[jose]

JackBurton, where did you find the Nec 2510a for $100 ??

How well does is burn DVD-R's ? Is your drive a 2500 flashed to a 2510 ?

Regards,
Jose

 

[Insane3D]

Originally posted by: jose
JackBurton, where did you find the Nec 2510a for $100 ??

How well does is burn DVD-R's ? Is your drive a 2500 flashed to a 2510 ?

Regards,
Jose

The question was not directed @ me, but maybe I can answer your question. Head on over to Newegg...

NEC 8X Black Dual Layer DVD+/-RW Drive, Model ND-2510A - $86 shipped

NEC 8X Beige Dual Layer DVD+/-RW Drive, Model ND-2510A - $86.99 shipped

NEC 8X Silver Dual Layer DVD+/-RW Drive, Model ND-2510A -$88.99 shipped

 

[JackBurton]

Originally posted by: jose
JackBurton, where did you find the Nec 2510a for $100 ??

How well does is burn DVD-R's ? Is your drive a 2500 flashed to a 2510 ?

Regards,
Jose

Yep, Insane has is pretty much covered. I think I got mine for $92 shipped at newegg, but the price has dropped even further. And yes, I have an actual 2510A (not a hacked 2500A>2510A). GREAT drive. I have no complaints.

 

[MAME]

Originally posted by: Insane3D
Something sounds whacked. I just got this burner a couple weeks ago myself, and the B370 firmware was junk. Burns seemed to burn fine in NEro 6, but after I ran a surface scan, there were errors all over the place. The B373 was MUCH better, and the B375 works like a charm...at least with +R. The one knock on this drive is it sucks burning -R, and is VERY picky about media. I was going to be using solely +R media, so I didn't mind.

I can't understand why you can't flash it though. I actually flashed all three of the firmwares several times to do some testing, and the program worked fine everytime. Are you SURE it's a DDW-082 and not a refurb 081 someone flashed to a 082?

I'm really starting to get mixed feelings about this drive the more I use it. With the newer firmwares, 4x +R burns @ 8X and surface scans reveal no errors, but when I run the media quality test in the new version of Nero CD/DVD speed, it's not so pretty. All the burns work in my DVD players and drives, so I'm not sure how much faith I should put in that particular program. You don't have any media in the drive when you are trying to flash right?

I haven't tried any -R media, but in my research, I really didn't hear much positive about the drives -R capabilities. The B375 would probably help you immensly, but I have no idea why it won't let you flash it.

Edit:

After further use, I decided the performance was a bit too erratic for my liking. I'm starting to be more interested in a quality burn than a fast burn. Also, the buffer is funny sometimes when burning...most of the time it jumps between 84% and 97%, which is fine, but I have had a couple burns where it will drop to 75%, and even down to the 50's at some points. I called up Newegg, talked to a nice lady and explained the situation with the burner. She offered to waive the 15% restock if I ordered another burner first, so I did.

I wasn't sure which one I would get, until I saw the NEC 2510A came in silver, so that sealed it for me. Did you get it @ Newegg?

I too went with Newegg. I mean, $70 AND Anantech highest rating, how could I go wrong?! Ritech makes fine media from what I've heard, but I guess -R doesn't sit well with this drive. Unless Newegg is pulling some crazy crap, it's the 082 and not some 081 that's been flashed.

I have nooooooooooooo idea why the drive won't flash to the newest firmware. I was going to battle it out but now I guess I'll have to tell my roommate's parents that there was a faulty part and I need to replace it. I just feel so bad because I kept saying how building your own computer is so much better than getting an expensive Dell (I saved them $1000, seriously). Blah! I guess I will go call and ask if they want to dual layer or save $ for the single (I'm thinking NEC at this point ).

I will call Newegg in a bit and make them pay for my shipping to get the drive back to them. muahaha

 

[MAME]

What software do you guys use with your drives? I noticed the NEC oem stuff doesn't come with any software (the Nu drive came with Nero). I need software to make data/music dvds/cd's as well as backing up movies. I heard there's some nice free stuff floating around but I'm not sure what to try out.

 

[MAME]

Originally posted by: JackBurton
Have I mentioned I LOVE my 2510a? I don't know why you guys went with the NuTech burner. The NEC 2500a was a sweet as hell drive. Nice speed and very accurate burns. So when the 2510a came out for under $100 and support for DL, it was a no-brainer. And if you didn't like the colors they had out at the time (black & beige), get the beige drive and paint it whatever color you'd like. That's what I did.

Ok ok, you win! I will get the NEC. But so help me god, if that thing fails, I will hunt you down!

I am assuming it supports -R media well? (Ritech in particular)

So the extra $20 is worth it to get the dual layer then? I mean, the 2510a burns at the same speed and has the same compatability as the 2500a?

 

[JackBurton]

Originally posted by: MAME

Originally posted by: JackBurton
Have I mentioned I LOVE my 2510a? I don't know why you guys went with the NuTech burner. The NEC 2500a was a sweet as hell drive. Nice speed and very accurate burns. So when the 2510a came out for under $100 and support for DL, it was a no-brainer. And if you didn't like the colors they had out at the time (black & beige), get the beige drive and paint it whatever color you'd like. That's what I did.

Ok ok, you win! I will get the NEC. But so help me god, if that thing fails, I will hunt you down!

I am assuming it supports -R media well? (Ritech in particular)

So the extra $20 is worth it to get the dual layer then? I mean, the 2510a burns at the same speed and has the same compatability as the 2500a?

LOL, it won't fail man. I have a 2500A here at work and I've burned an ass load of DVD+Rs, and all have come out perfect. The 2510A is just as good as the 2500A but you'll have the capabity to burn DL media in the future. Grant it, it will take about 45mins to burn a single DL disc, but at least you'll have the ability to do it. I just have A LOT of crap to back up (and no, it's not DVD movies) and I need A LOT more than ~4.5GB per disc. To me, the extra $20 is worth it.


Just to clarify, I have a 2500A at work and a 2510A at home.


Oh, and I burned a DVD-R 4X disc at home with the 2510A with no problems whatsoever.

 

[MAME]

Originally posted by: JackBurton

Originally posted by: MAME

Originally posted by: JackBurton
Have I mentioned I LOVE my 2510a? I don't know why you guys went with the NuTech burner. The NEC 2500a was a sweet as hell drive. Nice speed and very accurate burns. So when the 2510a came out for under $100 and support for DL, it was a no-brainer. And if you didn't like the colors they had out at the time (black & beige), get the beige drive and paint it whatever color you'd like. That's what I did.

Ok ok, you win! I will get the NEC. But so help me god, if that thing fails, I will hunt you down!

I am assuming it supports -R media well? (Ritech in particular)

So the extra $20 is worth it to get the dual layer then? I mean, the 2510a burns at the same speed and has the same compatability as the 2500a?

LOL, it won't fail man. I have a 2500A here at work and I've burned an ass load of DVD+Rs, and all have come out perfect. The 2510A is just as good as the 2500A but you'll have the capabity to burn DL media in the future. Grant it, it will take about 45mins to burn a single DL disc, but at least you'll have the ability to do it. I just have A LOT of crap to back up (and no, it's not DVD movies) and I need A LOT more than ~4.5GB per disc. To me, the extra $20 is worth it.


Just to clarify, I have a 2500A at work and a 2510A at home.


Oh, and I burned a DVD-R 4X disc at home with the 2510A with no problems whatsoever.

I appreciate your information. I will order the 2500A or 2510A for my roommate's parents. Thanks

 

[Insane3D]

Sorry for the late reply....I work 3rd shift so I've been sleeping.

Anyhow MAME, before you go with the NEC, I gave some advice in the B375 firmware thread. If you are running an NF2 chipset, the SW IDE drivers can prevent the drive from flashing...probably because of how those drivers handle the IDE channels in a non-traditional way. Try to roll back those drivers if you are running an NF2 chipset, and see if it work then.

Good luck!