4x drops down to 2.8x during burning

It's probably buffer under run software clocking you down so you don't burn
a coaster. Try copying your source to your hard drive and burning from
there.
Could be the media, too.


"Mitchua" wrote in message

 > Hi, I just bought a LG 4081B 8x+/4x- burner which I'm using in Linux. I
 > finally got some DVD-R media that will burn at 4x (according to
 > dvd+rw-mediainfo) but whenever I start it burning using k3b/growisofs, it
 > doesn't seem able to sustain 4x and it always drops down to about 2.8x and
 > stays there. All the data is written on the disk correctly but why am I
 > not getting the 4x speed? Is my bus not fast enough to support these
 > speeds or something?
 >
 > Thanks for your help,
 > Mitchua
 >> Stay informed about: 4x drops down to 2.8x during burning 

On Sat, 24 Apr 2004 00:47:32 +0000, Mitchua
wrote:

 >Hi, I just bought a LG 4081B 8x+/4x- burner which I'm using in Linux. I
 >finally got some DVD-R media that will burn at 4x (according to
 >dvd+rw-mediainfo) but whenever I start it burning using k3b/growisofs, it
 >doesn't seem able to sustain 4x and it always drops down to about 2.8x and
 >stays there. All the data is written on the disk correctly but why am I
 >not getting the 4x speed? Is my bus not fast enough to support these
 >speeds or something?
 >
 >Thanks for your help,
 >Mitchua

Could be anything but thats why I like to buy really popular burners
because you get lots of firmware updates and support/feedback from
people.

The first thing I would do is find so LG forum if they have one. OR
some place where LG users congregate like some burning oriented
website. Also check the makers website for possible info on problems.

Second - the obvious thing is 4x is getting to be the more commonplace
but the really standard stuff now sold at all Compusas and Office
Maxes etc is still generally 2x or even 1x which can burn at 2x. So
some 4x media may still be kind of iffy. Second the media has to match
the drive. When 4x becomes really really cheap and common , its
getting there - then almost all drives will support most or all brands
but your drive may have problems with a particular brand.

A little while ago it was really iffy and you have to really match up
the brands/makers of media with the brands of DVD burners.

The only thing you can do about that is switch to another brand thats
why its good to get feedback from users OR hopefully get a firmware
update that fixes it - IF thats the problem.

NECs, Liteons & plextors have numerous firmware updates to match
different media coming on the mkt and theres lots of user feedback.

See if NERO Speed works on your drive. It can do a test on CD burners
on the CPU utlization and speed etc.
 >> Stay informed about: 4x drops down to 2.8x during burning 

Mitchua wrote:
 > Hi, I just bought a LG 4081B 8x+/4x- burner which I'm using in Linux.
 > I finally got some DVD-R media that will burn at 4x (according to
 > dvd+rw-mediainfo) but whenever I start it burning using
 > k3b/growisofs, it doesn't seem able to sustain 4x and it always drops
 > down to about 2.8x and stays there. All the data is written on the
 > disk correctly but why am I not getting the 4x speed? Is my bus not
 > fast enough to support these speeds or something?


In 90% of cases, media is suspect. Try using TDK, Memorex, or Fuji 4-8x
DVD-R media. Purchase just a few to see if they burn well.
 >> Stay informed about: 4x drops down to 2.8x during burning 

Mitchua wrote:
 > Hi, I just bought a LG 4081B 8x+/4x- burner which I'm using in Linux. I
 > finally got some DVD-R media that will burn at 4x (according to
 > dvd+rw-mediainfo)
Is it actually 4X media or just media that someone claims will burn at 4X?


but whenever I start it burning using k3b/growisofs, it
 > doesn't seem able to sustain 4x and it always drops down to about 2.8x and
 > stays there. All the data is written on the disk correctly but why am I
 > not getting the 4x speed? Is my bus not fast enough to support these
 > speeds or something?

WIthout listing your setup noone could venture a guess if your pc is not
up to the task.
 >> Stay informed about: 4x drops down to 2.8x during burning 

Hi Mitchua,

I'm no Linux expert, but the OS could have something to do with the reduced
burning speed. There is also a firmware version 1.01 on the LG site that
claims to improve burning speeds on some media. If your drive's firmware is
a lower number, you could try flashing it, but the flash program is for use
in windows only. You can find it at <a rel="nofollow" style='text-decoration: none;' href="http://us.lgservice.com/index_b2c.jsp," target="_blank">http://us.lgservice.com/index_b2c.jsp,</a>
then choose the CD-RW software support area (for some reason LG has lumped
the DVD burner firmware here as well.)

Good luck,
Russell
<a rel="nofollow" style='text-decoration: none;' href="http://tastycomputers.com" target="_blank">http://tastycomputers.com</a>

"Mitchua" wrote in message

 > Hi, I just bought a LG 4081B 8x+/4x- burner which I'm using in Linux. I
 > finally got some DVD-R media that will burn at 4x (according to
 > dvd+rw-mediainfo) but whenever I start it burning using k3b/growisofs, it
 > doesn't seem able to sustain 4x and it always drops down to about 2.8x and
 > stays there. All the data is written on the disk correctly but why am I
 > not getting the 4x speed? Is my bus not fast enough to support these
 > speeds or something?
 >
 > Thanks for your help,
 > Mitchua
 >> Stay informed about: 4x drops down to 2.8x during burning 

John.DeleteThis@Smith.com wrote:


 > wrote:
 >
  >>Hi, I just bought a LG 4081B 8x+/4x- burner which I'm using in Linux. I
  >>finally got some DVD-R media that will burn at 4x (according to
  >>dvd+rw-mediainfo) but whenever I start it burning using k3b/growisofs, it
  >>doesn't seem able to sustain 4x and it always drops down to about 2.8x and
  >>stays there. All the data is written on the disk correctly but why am I
  >>not getting the 4x speed? Is my bus not fast enough to support these
  >>speeds or something?
  >>
  >>Thanks for your help,
  >>Mitchua
 >
 > Could be anything but thats why I like to buy really popular burners
 > because you get lots of firmware updates and support/feedback from
 > people.
 >
 > The first thing I would do is find so LG forum if they have one. OR
 > some place where LG users congregate like some burning oriented
 > website. Also check the makers website for possible info on problems.
 >
 > Second - the obvious thing is 4x is getting to be the more commonplace
 > but the really standard stuff now sold at all Compusas and Office
 > Maxes etc is still generally 2x or even 1x which can burn at 2x. So
 > some 4x media may still be kind of iffy. Second the media has to match
 > the drive. When 4x becomes really really cheap and common , its
 > getting there - then almost all drives will support most or all brands
 > but your drive may have problems with a particular brand.
 >
 > A little while ago it was really iffy and you have to really match up
 > the brands/makers of media with the brands of DVD burners.
 >
 > The only thing you can do about that is switch to another brand thats
 > why its good to get feedback from users OR hopefully get a firmware
 > update that fixes it - IF thats the problem.
 >
 > NECs, Liteons & plextors have numerous firmware updates to match
 > different media coming on the mkt and theres lots of user feedback.
 >
 > See if NERO Speed works on your drive. It can do a test on CD burners
 > on the CPU utlization and speed etc.

Yah, Linux has a program (dvd+rw-mediainfo) that checks the media for
compatibility, etc. It reports that it's stable for 4x on my system.

I'll see what NERO says. Good idea.

--Mitchua
 >> Stay informed about: 4x drops down to 2.8x during burning 

S.Heenan wrote:

 > Mitchua wrote:
  >> Hi, I just bought a LG 4081B 8x+/4x- burner which I'm using in Linux.
  >> I finally got some DVD-R media that will burn at 4x (according to
  >> dvd+rw-mediainfo) but whenever I start it burning using
  >> k3b/growisofs, it doesn't seem able to sustain 4x and it always drops
  >> down to about 2.8x and stays there. All the data is written on the
  >> disk correctly but why am I not getting the 4x speed? Is my bus not
  >> fast enough to support these speeds or something?
 >
 >
 > In 90% of cases, media is suspect. Try using TDK, Memorex, or Fuji 4-8x
 > DVD-R media. Purchase just a few to see if they burn well.

I've already tried some media that would only go at 2x. This Ritek stuff I
have now seems to be rated at 4x according to my system and dvdrhelp.com

Thanks.

--Mitchua
 >> Stay informed about: 4x drops down to 2.8x during burning 

Padre wrote:

 >


  >> Hi, I just bought a LG 4081B 8x+/4x- burner which I'm using in Linux. I
  >> finally got some DVD-R media that will burn at 4x (according to
  >> dvd+rw-mediainfo) but whenever I start it burning using k3b/growisofs, it
  >> doesn't seem able to sustain 4x and it always drops down to about 2.8x
  >> and
  >> stays there. All the data is written on the disk correctly but why am I
  >> not getting the 4x speed? Is my bus not fast enough to support these
  >> speeds or something?
  >>
  >> Thanks for your help,
  >> Mitchua
 >
 > I've seen the same thing happen on one of my slower PCs when another app
 > is running, using CPU time. It's the 'burn proof'protection that makes
 > sure you don't burn a coaster or blow the whole recording. If something
 > interferes with the transfer rate (busy app, slow bus, etc.), the burner
 > will ratchet down to a slower burn speed automatically. If you can kill
 > whatever it is that's causing the problem, you can return to 4x or 8x
 > burning speeds.

Maybe I should kill all the graphical user interfaces and try just running
the burning program from the shell. Thanks for the suggestion.

--Mitchua
 >> Stay informed about: 4x drops down to 2.8x during burning 

~A_Sammy wrote:

 > It's probably buffer under run software clocking you down so you don't
 > burn
 > a coaster. Try copying your source to your hard drive and burning from
 > there.
 > Could be the media, too.
 >
 >

I figured something like that might be going on since I am burning from the
HD. Boy these things are finicky

-mitchua
 >> Stay informed about: 4x drops down to 2.8x during burning 

Biz wrote:

 > Mitchua wrote:
  >> Hi, I just bought a LG 4081B 8x+/4x- burner which I'm using in Linux. I
  >> finally got some DVD-R media that will burn at 4x (according to
  >> dvd+rw-mediainfo)
 > Is it actually 4X media or just media that someone claims will burn at 4X?

It is 4x according to all the utilities I've tested. It's Ritek media so
there's no label. However, I checked out the hash on dvdrhelp.com and
seemed to check out.

 >
 >
 > but whenever I start it burning using k3b/growisofs, it
  >> doesn't seem able to sustain 4x and it always drops down to about 2.8x
  >> and
  >> stays there. All the data is written on the disk correctly but why am I
  >> not getting the 4x speed? Is my bus not fast enough to support these
  >> speeds or something?
 >
 > WIthout listing your setup noone could venture a guess if your pc is not
 > up to the task.

Sorry about that. I have Athlon XP 1800+, 512MB DDR, A7V266-E, 120GB
Seagate 7200rpm 8mb HD,
 >> Stay informed about: 4x drops down to 2.8x during burning 

Russell wrote:

 > Hi Mitchua,
 >
 > I'm no Linux expert, but the OS could have something to do with the
 > reduced
 > burning speed. There is also a firmware version 1.01 on the LG site that
 > claims to improve burning speeds on some media. If your drive's firmware
 > is a lower number, you could try flashing it, but the flash program is for
 > use
 > in windows only. You can find it at
 > <a rel="nofollow" style='text-decoration: none;' href="http://us.lgservice.com/index_b2c.jsp," target="_blank">http://us.lgservice.com/index_b2c.jsp,</a> then choose the CD-RW software
 > support area (for some reason LG has lumped the DVD burner firmware here
 > as well.)
 >
 > Good luck,
 > Russell
<font color=purple> > <a rel="nofollow" style='text-decoration: none;' href="http://tastycomputers.com</font" target="_blank">http://tastycomputers.com</font</a>>

I'll test it in Windows too just to see.

Thanks for the link. I was looking all over trying to find the DVD
firmware. Why the heck isn't it in the DVD section?! My firmware is
v100 so I'll try flashing it. I keep Window$ around for just these
emergencies

--Mitchua
 >> Stay informed about: 4x drops down to 2.8x during burning 

Mitchua wrote:

 > Hi, I just bought a LG 4081B 8x+/4x- burner which I'm using in Linux. I
 > finally got some DVD-R media that will burn at 4x (according to
 > dvd+rw-mediainfo) but whenever I start it burning using k3b/growisofs, it
 > doesn't seem able to sustain 4x and it always drops down to about 2.8x and
 > stays there. All the data is written on the disk correctly but why am I
 > not getting the 4x speed? Is my bus not fast enough to support these
 > speeds or something?
 >
 > Thanks for your help,
 > Mitchua

FYI, here's what I get when I run a speed test on a blank Ritek 4x DVD-R.

INQUIRY: [HL-DT-ST][DVDRAM GSA-4081B][A101]
GET [CURRENT] CONFIGURATION:
Mounted Media: 11h, DVD-R Sequential
Media ID: RITEKG04
Current Write Speed: 4.0x1385=5540KB/s
Write Speed #0: 4.0x1385=5540KB/s
Write Speed #1: 2.0x1385=2770KB/s
GET [CURRENT] PERFORMANCE:
Write Performance: 4.0x1385=5540KB/s@[0 -> 2298495]
Speed Descriptor#0: 02/2298495 R.TakeThisOut@3.3x1385=4584KB/s W.TakeThisOut@4.0x1385=5540KB/s
Speed Descriptor#1: 02/2298495 R.TakeThisOut@3.3x1385=4584KB/s W.TakeThisOut@2.0x1385=2770KB/s
READ DVD STRUCTURE[#0h]:
Media Book Type: 25h, DVD-R book [revision 5]
Legacy lead-out at: 2298496*2KB=4707319808
READ DISC INFORMATION:
Disc status: blank
Number of Sessions: 1
State of Last Session: empty
Number of Tracks: 1
READ TRACK INFORMATION[#1]:
Track State: invisible incremental
Track Start Address: 0*2KB
Next Writable Address: 0*2KB
Free Blocks: 2297888*2KB
Track Size: 2297888*2KB
 >> Stay informed about: 4x drops down to 2.8x during burning 

In article <wjmic.98550$Gp4.2299905
@news20.bellglobal.com>, mitchuaNOSPAM.DeleteThis@hush.com says...
 > Hi, I just bought a LG 4081B 8x+/4x- burner which I'm using in Linux. I
 > finally got some DVD-R media that will burn at 4x (according to
 > dvd+rw-mediainfo) but whenever I start it burning using k3b/growisofs, it
 > doesn't seem able to sustain 4x and it always drops down to about 2.8x and
 > stays there. All the data is written on the disk correctly but why am I
 > not getting the 4x speed? Is my bus not fast enough to support these
 > speeds or something?
 >

Probably transfer rate (is the source drive and DVD
drive on seperate cables?), or that 4x media isn't
actually 4x.
 >> Stay informed about: 4x drops down to 2.8x during burning