SOHW-832S Changed Behaviour

Synthetic_Soul 2005-07-14 05:01:59 UTC #1

Hello.

Firstly, as my post count suggests, I should probably warn you I am a bit of a noob.

I have had an SOHW-832S for almost a year now. I bought it to back up all my CDs, so in the first 3 months it got a lot of use (well, ~25 discs, probably not a lot to some of you!).

The discs were DataSafe RITEKG04, and I had absolutely no problems with them. Yesterday I ran KProbe on one and the scores were very good - well below the 280/32 PI/PO levels I've seen in other threads.

I don't know when this happened, but recently I've seen a complete turnaround. I had three different spindles - Datasafe G04, Ridisc G04, and some printable G05 (all from SVP). I was getting coasters 90% of the time. All discs discussed are DVD- - I have seen on this forum that the Lite-On perfers + so I may have to rethink my strategy. I say "had" as I've now sold all my RITEK to a NEC owner for half price.

I tried the EEPROM utility, as I thought the writing strategy for G04/5 might be all screwed, but no joy. I've flashed to codeguys' CG5G, back to VS0A - no joy.

I thought my burner was just dead (I guess it may still be) but then I pinched a Maxell (RITEK G04) from work and it worked fine (Eh?! another G04!). I bought a 5 pack from PC World and 2 more worked fine. I pinched a Verbatim (MCC) and that worked fine.

I recently bought some Datawrite Titanium printable (MCC03) and DataSafe printable (CMC MAG AE1) ( I just wanted to test other manufacturers - I also got a five pack of the Verbatim pastel TYs but have not yet tested). I have only tested one disc from each (MCC/CMC) so far but both worked. KProbe results for CMC were bad. I need to rerun the MCC one as my wife started surfing while in action - but the results were around the 280 PI - maybe a little more (a little dissapointing). NB: The Verbatim scored 20/4 - I may try to get some more of those! Phew!

So, after my rambling, my question is: why the Hell was my drive OK (superb KProbe score) with RITEK G04 - and then suddenly it thinks they are scum? Surely not all three batches can be bad (that would be bad luck surely?)?

My basic plan is to try to just go with MCC/Verbatim/TY (in ascending order) from now on (now backed up by the surprising dislike to RITEK in this forum) - but I'm still so confused about this change - and a little concerned that my drive may learn to loathe MC and CMC also.

FYI: Verbatim (x8 DVD-R) KProbe results:

Date : 14/07/2005 07:39:19
Model : 1-0-1-0 LITE-ON DVDRW SOHW-832S CG5G
Disc : DVD-R , MCC 01 [Mitsubishi Chemical Corporation]
Speed : 4x
ECC blocks sum (PI/PIF) : 8/1
Scanned range : 0 - 2258370
Sampling count : 129129
Errors : 0
PI Max : 20
PI Average : 4.27
PI Total : 70752
PIF Max : 4
PIF Average : 0.09
PIF Total : 1459

Edit: I see code65536 suggests EEPROM to wipe learning here. At least I now feel in good company

Synthetic_Soul 2005-07-14 09:01:27 UTC #2

Sorry, can't seem to edit post above.

Just to clarify: I have only tested 2 of the 5, so it's still a 100% success rate for all other discs apart from the RITEK I owned.

Also, I know it is 280/4 with an 8/1 setting in 2.4.3.

I'm thinking the basic answer here is going to be "all three spindles must have been a bad batch". It just seems so coincidental though. I really thought using the EEPROM utility to wipe the learned strategy would do it, as that seems to fit (the only thing that does to me, or did).

Synthetic_Soul 2005-07-19 02:14:14 UTC #3

Hmm... no response. I guess that suggest that maybe I'm on the right track.

The CMC Magnetics AE1s (DataSafe printable x8) are working at x4 (1 failed at x6 so I reverted straight back to x4) - but the KProbe scores are poor - somewhere around 400-600 PI and 4-8 PO. I'm just going to use them for "temporary" burns - not archiving.

I'm thinking of trying them on the AF1 strategy with the VS0G firmware, as I figure "why not?". Any thoughts?

I've only tried 2 MCC (03RG20, Datawrite Titanium printable x16) so far, but the scores have been pretty borderline on the 280/4 limit. That's a bit disappointing. It wouldn't put me off getting Verbatim - but does make me a little wary.

I find it difficult to know how scary this is. A while back I was getting actual sector errors so I should be pleased that I am getting errorless burns, even with CMC. However, since frequenting this forum and seeing some of the incredible PI/PO scores (8-20/2) I've just gotten more picky. I don't know whether that's good or bad.

I'm waiting for a good reason to test my Verbatim pastel TYs.

For some reason I'm loathe to swap to DVD+ (I have always used DVD- before, including the discs mentioned above). I think I need to though after reading various threads here. I need all the help I can get I think.

I can't decide whether I should just give up on my 832S... but then I don't really have the cash to spend out on a new drive at the moment. I feel like I'm fighting a bit of a losing battle though...

Any advice, links, or just a friendly pat on the back appreciated. :flower:

pinto2 2005-07-19 03:42:38 UTC #4

Welcome to cdfreaks. Here is my friendly pat on the back.

I can see you have done a lot reading, but there are still some threads you should spend more time in, mainly here and here.

I've only tried 2 MCC (03RG20, Datawrite Titanium printable x16) so far, but the scores have been pretty borderline on the 280/4 limit. That's a bit disappointing...
This media code is not present in "832" firmwares. You'll have to use Omnipatcher to import propper burn strategies, or just swap write strategy to MCC 02RG20.
8x burnspeed is max for 832 drives after all.

Synthetic_Soul 2005-07-19 08:17:56 UTC #5

Thank you. In all seriousness, it's just nice to have someone acknowledge me.

Cool. Thanks. Will do. I have got a bit lost trying to find out more...

Aha!! Excellent! Thanks for the tip. I look forward to updating my firmware tonight and running another test! I'm just not content with substandard PI/PO results now... thanks to you guys! :doh:

I generally burn at low speed anyway, I have no concerns to burn as fast as possible - accuracy is, by far, my primary goal. That said, after reading some threads on this forum I see that the lowest speed is not always the best. I intend to try all discs at all speeds to find the best results. NB: All the x8 discs seemed to be CMC/RITEK on SVP - I just wanted to try some MCC.

Very much appreciated.

Synthetic_Soul 2005-07-20 03:04:08 UTC #6

I used Omnipatcher to adapt the CG5G firmware.

I tried burning a CMC Magnetics AE1 using the AF1 strategy, and it coastered after a few seconds. I guess that was a bad call. Any other suggested strategies for CMC MAG AE1? The default strategy is getting OK PO results, but PI is 500-600.

I also changed an unused MID to MCC 03RG20 and reassigned the write strategy to MCC 02RG20. The results may be a tad better - PI was around 250, PO had a couple of spikes at 5, but the rest lower (can these be seen as glitches, are are they my true maximum?). I want PI at least lower than 100 though...

I've no idea how to import a "proper burn strategy". I assume I would have to load another drive's firmware into Omnipatcher, save the dvd media code report, load in an 832S firmware, then... ah, I dunno. I don't understand, as the report is a simple text file that just states the strategy name, and speeds. So how would I import a "proper" burn strategy?

pinto2 2005-07-20 05:05:40 UTC #7

Hmm, it's part of Omnipatcher...

First read full -media code block- with DVD Identifier and save as .txt file. Then use Omnipatcher function to import "speed and strategy settings" (under "More Commands").
See attachment.

Note. I used a "812" fimware but in principle it's the same for any Litey firmware.

Synthetic_Soul 2005-07-20 05:14:45 UTC #8

Thank you.

So, the report to import comes from DVD Identifier (something I've downloaded but not yet installed).

I did see the import function in Omnipatcher, but couldn't see how importing from a saved Omnipatcher report would be any use at all, as it has no technical info.

It seems I'm still confused.

pinto2 2005-07-20 05:27:41 UTC #9

Really...?
Then you missed to read the documentation.

"Rename this code using a media code block dump: This will allow the user to rename the currently-selected media code using the media code block of a disc, which can be obtained through programs such as DVD Identifier. This will make the renaming of codes to add support for unsupported media easier."
Note. In my picture above, wrong entry is shown. But the endresult will be the same. In your case try "Rename this code using a media code dump".
Sorry for any cofusion. :doh:

[B]Edit.[/B] Thanks c64k...

Synthetic_Soul 2005-07-20 05:30:33 UTC #10

Are we talking about "Import speed and strategy settings from a report file..." here, or "Rename this code using a media code block dump...".

I did just re-read the passage you quote (before your post) - but the item you highlight on your image, "Import speed and strategy settings from a report file...", will import from an Omnipatcher report I assume - which does have no technical information.

See, I am confused.

code65536 2005-07-20 05:31:07 UTC #11

pinto2, I think you really meant to refer to the "Rename this code using a media code block dump" feature, which is enabled only when a media code is selected.

Synthetic_Soul 2005-07-20 05:45:31 UTC #12

I can't help but feel you are right.

I think in pinto2's eagerness to help me/shut me up he just highlighted the lowest active entry.

Anyway, we were soon to the bottom of it, and I very much appreciate the additional help from you both. I will use DVD Identifier and Omnipatcher tonight to update my MCC 03RG20 strategy and try another test.

Thanks to you both.

Any idea about an alternative strategy for the CMC MAG AE1s? AT ~600 PI they seem a bit too useless.

Synthetic_Soul 2005-07-24 12:32:43 UTC #13

I used DVD Identifier to get the media code block:

----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Unique Disc Identifier : [DVD-R:MCC 03RG20  ]
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Disc & Book Type :       [DVD-R] - [DVD-R]
Manufacturer Name :      [Mitsubishi Chemical Corp.]
Manufacturer ID :        [MCC 03RG20  ]
Blank Disc Capacity :    [2,298,496 Sectors = 4.71 GB (4.38 GiB)]
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
** INFO : Hex Dump Of 'Media Code'-Block Listed Below
** INFO : 4-Byte Header Preceding 'Media Code'-Block Discarded
** INFO : Format 0Eh - Pre-Recorded Information In Lead-In
0000 : 01 40 c1 fd 9e d8 52 00  02 85 0d 0e 88 9a 80 00   .@....R.........
0010 : 03 4d 43 43 20 30 33 00  04 52 47 32 30 20 20 00   .MCC 03..RG20  .
0020 : 05 88 80 00 00 00 02 00  06 09 0b 14 87 78 90 00   .............x..
0030 : 07 88 80 00 00 00 00 00  08 08 13 0d 11 0c 08 00   ................
0040 : 09 95 07 0e 0b 78 88 00  0a a0 00 20 00 20 10 00   .....x..... . ..
0050 : 0b 06 1a 17 86 67 85 00  0c 99 ab 3a 83 20 32 00   .....g.....:. 2.
0060 : 0d 00 00 d0 00 00 00 00  00 00                     ..........      
 
** INFO : Hex Dump Of 'Control Data Zone'-Block Listed Below
** INFO : 4-Byte Header Preceding 'CDZ'-Block Discarded
** INFO : Format 10h - Physical Format Information Of Control Data Zone
0000 : 25 0f 02 00 00 03 00 00  00 26 12 7f 00 00 00 00   %........&......
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
[ DVD Identifier - http://DVD.Identifier.CDfreaks.com ]
----------------------------------------------------------------------------

I just pasted the section:

0000 : 01 40 c1 fd 9e d8 52 00  02 85 0d 0e 88 9a 80 00   .@....R.........
0010 : 03 4d 43 43 20 30 33 00  04 52 47 32 30 20 20 00   .MCC 03..RG20  .
0020 : 05 88 80 00 00 00 02 00  06 09 0b 14 87 78 90 00   .............x..
0030 : 07 88 80 00 00 00 00 00  08 08 13 0d 11 0c 08 00   ................
0040 : 09 95 07 0e 0b 78 88 00  0a a0 00 20 00 20 10 00   .....x..... . ..
0050 : 0b 06 1a 17 86 67 85 00  0c 99 ab 3a 83 20 32 00   .....g.....:. 2.
0060 : 0d 00 00 d0 00 00 00 00  00 00                     ..........

... into Omnipatcher - and that's it. When i burnt Nero couldn't close the session.

I therefore mapped 03 to 02. Should I have done that in the first place? Should I have pasted any more or less of the dump into Omnipatcher?

NB: I just burnt to a Bulkpaq Generaton 4 x4 DVD+R disc and got PI/PO of 22/3! I guess this goes to prove that I really need to switch to DVD+. I can't believe that a Bulkpaq has given me the best KProbe scores so far... It has also confused me about the media to get - it seems maybe I don't need to go top range to get results - however I feel I may anyway as the longevity of the Bulkpaq concerns me.

Bulkpaq report:

Date                     : 24/07/2005 20:01:32
Model                    : 1-0-1-0 LITE-ON DVDRW SOHW-832S  CG5G
Disc                     : DVD+R , IS01001 []
Speed                    : 4x
ECC blocks sum (PI/PIF)  : 8/1
Scanned range            : 0 - 1839245
Sampling count           : 101195
Errors                   : 0
PI Max                   : 22
PI Average               : 4.31
PI Total                 : 60501
PIF Max                  : 3
PIF Average              : 0.19
PIF Total                : 2602