Computer Q? DVD+R Disc in DVD-ROM Drive

[mrpayner]

Hey Guys

A technical question for anyone out there who can answer.. I burned a data DVD+R on the weekend at a mates place and when I got home it does not work in my DVD-ROM drive... I'm just wondering if a firmware update on my DVDROM drive would enable it to read a DVD+R? The DVD that I burned consisted only of data [MP3/MPEG/Software etc]

Details as follows
BURNER: Lite-on DVD+R/DVD+RW [no DVD-R apparently] not sure of model number but it can burn at 4x
DISC: Verbatim "DataLifePlus" DVD+R 4.7GB
MY DVDROM: LG DRD8160B DVDROM

Any help from the IT guru's out there would be great as I don't know much about the DVD burning scene as yet.. If you need anymore info please ask.

Cheers
AP

[Sandyman]

could be the area code. no idea how to check that on a dvd player though. a computer dvd drive however...

[Caveman]

I'd say that your DVDROM drive is an older one that probably doesn't support DVD+R in it's current state.
You might be able to get a firmware upgarde for it.
It's a similar problem with CDR's and older CDROM drives.

But if it's like my X-Box, which won't read CDR's...nothing you can do but buy another drive......Doh... :cry:

[mrpayner]

Well.. it gives me a good excuse to get a DVD burner with all formats readable and writeable then.. ;)

I did download a firmware update for the drive but have not applied it as yet

Thanks anyways

AP

[BigMal]

GigaByte have a new dual format 4x DVD+-R and 40x CDR for $299 retail. I do like
the Sony unit looks wild but is only 24x CDR and is $350.

Regards

Mal

[mrpayner]

Thanks Mal.. I'll check that out.

AP

[Asterix]

I'd bet me bottom $ it's a compatability issue with your DVD reader.
That's the problem with the +R format. XBOX's (I've heard!) don't like reading +R discs & neither do a lot of stand alone DVD player (especially the older models).
-R are loads more compatible.
Good try with the firmware upgrade. Was worth a shot. I would have thought it MAY work.
Maybe try the DVDR on a mates DVD player to rule out if it is just that disc or the player.
Your player may not like that particular media (some are like that).

[mrpayner]

Yeh.. compatibility issue is with my drive.. took the disc to work to try it on a machine there and worked a treat. Emailled LG Australia to see if the firmware update would allow the disc to work.. got email back saying don't do it.

Looks like I'm making a purchase of a nice new DVD burner.. :roll:

AP

[Asterix]

A mate of mine just bought a DVD burner. Well 1 month ago. Paid $290 for it & it's a - burner. Aslo does RAM. + compatible.
I just realised it's an LG, so maybe "once bitten..."
I am almost in the market for one also.
Anyone got any advice/experience to share?
I was going to wait til an 8x was $300 or less but can't wait.
Any links to forums etc appreciated.
Here's one...
http://www.dvdoctor.net/cgi-bin/ubb/Forum5/HTML/000570.html

[andrewgrazier]

DVDs are a bitch, they can kick ass or they might Not kick ass

firstly
are you sure the lite on burner was a + burner?

also why wait for an 8 speed burner? as wel because all discs are only 4 speed at the moment.
with discs coming down to $1.70 each its better vaule to get a - burner.
i paid a ****load for mine because it was from a shop its a Pioneer DVD ao5 ++ A which is the updated one same as the AO6

its most likely you did not burn the disc correctly.

Always get the latest firmware because then you should be able to burn onto new or differnt brands of DVD discs.

its not probably the area code, because data discs dont apply for that. you would stil be able to view the files or the properties of the disc.


why anyone would want a DVD + drive is beyond me

is that extra 100 MB in a 4.7 GB really woth the extra trouble of compatibiltiy and the cost?
noooooooooope
and thats why most burners are - nows


big mal -
Ummmm you can get a 52 X burner at the markets for $55.
why not get two drives?
or better stil a DVD and CD drive which burns cds at 48 X for only 94$




Anyone who wants some answers just well
post somethin on this site.

[mrpayner]

are you sure the lite on burner was a + burner?

Yep.. my mate is a computer technician and has his own business.. he knows the ****..

its most likely you did not burn the disc correctly.

Nope.. I tested it on a DVD drive at work and works a treat.. like I said. I have an older DVD drive that obviously does not read DVD recordable media [except DVD movies.]

why anyone would want a DVD + drive is beyond me

Due to the price I think my mate bought a DVD + drive.. plus he also knew that the standalone DVD player he has in his home theatre also read DVD+R so that is another factor of his purchase.. If it were me I would buy a combo drive that read + and - like the one that Mal suggested..

Always get the latest firmware because then you should be able to burn onto new or differnt brands of DVD discs

In some ways this can be true, however I contacted LG about the firmware update for my particular DVD drive and they strongly suggested not applying the update that I downloaded from the LG website. I guess they're just being cautious to the fact that if the data in the update were corrupt or the update itself was not successful then the drive could become in-operable.

Ummmm you can get a 52 X burner at the markets for $55.
why not get two drives?

I believe Mal was meaning that a drive that could burn both DVD and CD for $300

Thanks for your input though.

AP :D

[Asterix]

And can I suggest an AWESOME piece of software for backing up your priceless DVD collection.

"DVD Shrink" ver 2.3 or the later version 3.0

It's less than 400kb but incredibly efficent for it's size. :D

[mrpayner]

Yeh! Heard about this from one of the guys at work.. I'll be downloading that if I get a DVD burner. :)

AP