Found a real issue this evening.

Tested using Nero CD / DVD Speed. Created data disks using the following two disks:

Verbatim Data Life Plus 8X DVD+R MMC003
TDK 4X DVD+R Ricohjpn R01

In both cases...the burn started (CLV) correctly at 4X through about 0.8GB when the drive shifted to 6X. At 2.2GB, the drive shifted to 8X...through about 3.2GB where on two sets of both disks...the burn stopped...and dropped back to 4x for the remainder of the burn. Two brands of disks...two disks each (total of 4 disks)...each time...the problem replicated itself.

Then, I reflashed the firmware to 2C8 SE...two more MMC003's and Two more Ricohjpn R01's.

In each case...burn starts at 4x to 0.8GB...then shifts to 6X...until 2.2GB...then shifted to 8X...and finished that way...all FOUR tests.

Either NEC messed with the strategies for these brands...or something's up with the firmware.

Leaving it at 2C8 SE...seems perfect for 4X, 8X and 16X media. I burn almost exclusively Verbatim, TDK and Fuji...so I'm good to go

Bob

Yeap it is matter of strategy for each drive. This might be different for each media.

(in reply to bomitch)

Thanks for your report, please keep us updated since I cant get a lot of quality media here except Verbatim. Ill try to get some anyway and do some tests too.

(in reply to Iggy)

OK...now I'm totally confused. Someone recommended flashing to 2.18SE...cured the problem...burns look normal...

??????????

Did at least 4 more tests...218SE seems to have fixed this issue...too bad the bitsetting for +R is gone

(in reply to fahrenheit)

Now switch back to 2.18 and burn another DVD and see if you experience the same (previous) problem. Reason is, what you have experienced is odd. 2.18SE only remove riplocks and rpc1, has nothing to do with writing strategy.

(in reply to bomitch)

With all the flashing I have done in the past day...I am not surprised that it seems normal now. However, with that said...I have gone between 4 firmwares at least three times each in the past day...and the drive is holding up pretty well. I wonder if I just had a bad flash the first time? Who knows. Right now...seems OK.

I am still leaning on the fact that I like 2C8 SE firmware best! I use Fujifilm, Verbatim and TDK DVD+R and even 2C8 has great strategies for those brands. I have never had a bad burn...except for the slowed burns that made me post in the first place. The other thing I like about 2C8 SE is the DVD-ROM bitsetting. I have never had problems burning DVD+R's in the past with my JVC DVD Players...but with the bitsetting...the disks load faster and my DVD players seem to respond almost the instant the drawer closes. Maybe it's me.

Going back to 2.18 SE for the time being. Just downloaded Plextools 2.18 and am able to enable bitsetting on my other drive (Plextor PX-708A). This way...I'll use the NEC for dual layer and the Plextor for the DVD+R burns...until a firmware comes out like the 2C8 SE.

Bob

(in reply to randomwalk101)

until a firmware comes out like the 2C8 SE.


Heh we are all on hold for that , it looks that it will be soon up

I load the 2.18 original too , and i will keep it until the second 2.18SE release

(in reply to bomitch)

the 2.18SE only contains RPC1/Rip Lock and 4X for ALL DL media, no changes at the +/-R formats

(in reply to overvolt)