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» Firefox 3.5 Released

      Mozilla released Firefox 3.5 a major update popular free open source Web browser.

» The Pirate Bay Sold

      The world's most recognizable BitTorrent site take a legitimate turn being sold a company plans compensate content providers downloads.

» LG's Ultra-Slim Full LED LCD TVs

      LG revealed two new 55-inch ultra-slim "full LED" LCD TVs in Seoul.

» Netbooks Confuse Buyers

      People buy netbooks don't always understand how computers differ full-powered notebooks tend disappointed NPD Group found.

» 1m iPhone 3GS Sold In Three Days

      Apple sold over one million iPhone 3GS models only third day launch.

» Sony Firmware v2.0f DRU-500A/AX/UL/ULX

      This upgrade boasts improvement entry reading efficiency well better burns crap media.

» Pioneer A05 DVD-Video Speed Limit Removed

      Now can view any region DVD rip super fast speed burn twice fast standard 1x speed media.

» Pioneer A05 v1.30 Downgrade Flash

      For wishing revert back official firmware v1.30

» Pioneer A05 2x 4 All

      Enables 2x writing media.

» Pioneer A05 2x 4 Ritek

      Allows 2x speed burning RITEKG03 media

» Interview Tim Smith Sales Marketing Manager Ridisc

Link: Tell us a little bit history RiDisc brand stands founding principle RiDisc brand was bring consumer access highest quality media Ritek Taiwan without pay premium associated Tier One brands Verbatim Sony TDK Philips. our partner Ritek Taiwan RiDisc aimed offer uncompromising quality enable customers safely choose a brand media was guaranteed give consistently high quality results. Tell us a bit development RiDisc regards relationship Ritek Taiwan it's conception RiDisc brand was a joint project RiDisc Ritek Taiwan. Ritek providing technical expertise RiDisc providing sales marketing proficiency RiDisc always able retain independence most importantly own quality control working in conjunction Ritek. In summer 2004 RiDisc's independence desire "nothing best" was put test when Ritek's production then new Ridisc 8X G05 media ran problems. overall quality dived Ritek struggled meet demand increased volumes still maintaining consistency. autumn 2004 Ridisc management took decision swap production Ridisc 8X another Tier 1 manufacturer in order maintain it's own integrity fundamental principles. decision was seen a bold move in a industry traditionally reliant old alliances brands manufacturers in case Ridisc unlike others in market decision was a clear case prioritizing quality over profit especially other brands including Ritek's own content use & sell G05 media inconsistent quality sales.
Tell us why Original Ridisc go5 was discontinued so quickly
original success Ritek dye (proliferated success RiDisc) wasn't unnoticed competitors other brands started jump bandwagon. Very soon Ritek DVD every grade possibly was flooding market. Media B quality C quality even worse was being sold Grade A Ritek media very soon customers began lose faith in dye brands carried codes G04 G05. didn't help even Ritek themselves knowingly sold discs lesser quality (even own brands) market customers didn't care quality just long money. Even Ritek's European Branch office was held responsible introducing notorious "Down Grade" disc Europe.
In an email our DVD Recordable's guru Flash Ritek Taiwan remarked:
"We feeling should a dumped DVD-R material should scrapped possibility re-ship market"
a result customers had once trusted codes G04/G05 began look elsewhere an alternative longer had faith in Ritek dye. In a sense Ritek RiDisc became victims own success.
Tell us a little bit why RiDisc opted CMC Magnetics 8X DVD-R
problems happening in market basically went against everything RiDisc stood an internal decision was taken continue RiDisc 4X our partner Ritek Taiwan swap production new RiDisc 8X DVD-R CMC Magnetics world's largest OEM manufacturer media.
new alliance CMC Magnetics dawned a new era RiDisc brand. unlimited support CMC brought RiDisc a promise quality compromises whatsoever. sales figures RiDisc 8x DVD-R spiraled upwards giving us absolute vindication our decision partner CMC Ritek's troubled times.
widely accepted CMC utilizes most advanced production lines media in World continues innovate state art Research Development (R&D) Taiwanese headquarters. backed up fact top brands trust CMC develop manufacture them. Verbatim TDK FUJI Memorex hold OEM manufacturing contracts CMC.
Did move over CMC Magnetics cause any problems Ridisc's relationship Ritek Taiwan
causing problems Ritek I think we can say Ritek Ridisc closely linked Santa Claus Christmas. I don't want go details move CMC did result in launch RiDisc Xtreme range prove best Ritek manufactured disc in world bar none seen quality CMC manufactured RiDisc media Ritek's management in Taiwan know need provide only highest quality media in order impress RiDisc's discerning customers.
Has a g05 disc in range so long cost market share?
RiDisc seen take-up CMC RiDisc 8X DVD-R go strength strength in markets previously focused predominantly Ritek G05 other established brands Verbatim etc. lack a high quality G05 allowed others come in steal market share.
We only companies recognize look success Datawrite in Europe Middle East had CMC Datawrite Titanium DVD. Platinum in Germany also recently started CMC DVD-R production switching Ritek main manufacturer so long. companies recognize survive in ever-competitive market impossible rely dated practices old alliances only way stay top keep abreast competition doing prepared change a moments notice necessary.
What sets out Xtreme range other Ritek manufactured products? Right now Ritek still a popular choice in countries every market different customers ones ultimately decide discs best them. Here RiDisc we recognize there demand still Ritek especially a quality G05 dye we aim imminent release "RiDisc Xtreme" we can give results expect every time without fear getting ripped off. Xtreme range RiDisc aims deliver even pickiest consumers exactly craving for. A holds barred Grade AAA+ Ritek G05 DVD-R uncompromising qualities one best manufacturers in world. coupled Our quality control system zero tolerance should ensure "RiDisc Xtreme" offers customers assurance safety in knowing every disc every pack buy perform consistently perfectly certified being best best Ritek products market. How guarantee get highest grade Ritek media? Even though we intimately linked Ritek helped Ritek media one most recognized discs in market we 100% Ritek owned brand name. In essence we ability go elsewhere our standards quality pricing requirement aren't met. Brands 100% owned Ritek don't luxury. we suffer any quality issues we can move our production another manufacturer quality live up our standards. We maintained our discs AAA+ grade any reason our RiDisc Xtreme range doesn't live up we move another manufacturer dye range. puts a lot pressure Ritek ensure we receive only best discs production line. Unfortunately brands 100% owned Ritek don't luxury. we feel give us edge over any other Ritek manufactured disc including Ritek's In house brand names (Ridata Traxdata Arita) 100% owned Ritek.

» Datawrite Transprint 8x DVD-R MCC 02RG20

Link: Pioneer Firmware Download Page
next generation High Speed burners out we still little 16X speed DVD-R media,. There a few samples kicking none commercially available although we promised supplies available end month. ( we shall just wait & see). In meantime I test a couple latest 16X burners see how perform.
First test new Datawrite Transprint 8X speed DVD-R lead in code MCC 02RG20
00 6C 00 00 01 40 C1 FD 9E D8 52 00 02 85 0D 10 .L...@....R.....
88 9A 80 00 03 4D 43 43 20 30 32 00 04 52 47 32 .....MCC 02..RG2
30 20 20 00 05 88 80 00 00 00 02 00 06 09 0D 13 0 .............
87 78 80 00 07 88 80 00 00 00 00 00 08 05 15 0D .X..............
10 0B 0A 00 09 98 08 0F 0B 78 88 00 0A 80 00 00 .........X......
00 00 10 00 0B 07 19 15 A7 88 75 00 0C 99 BC AA ..........U.....
A2 20 22 00 0D 00 00 D0 00 00 00 00 0E 09 00 00 . ".............


Pioneer DVR-109 v1.17

NEC ND-3520A v1.04
First test a Data Test burn Nero C D/DVD speed drives burnt Z-CLV Pioneer starting 6x speed quickly increasing 8x speed a large number OPC points towards end burn The NEC does reach full 8x speed until half way burn fewer OPC points. time taken burn 8:11 Pioneer 9:52 NEC Pioneer being fastest 8x speed burning 1:41

PI errors just over 20 beginning scan dropping 10 6x 8x speed transition point remaining stable 10 up just over 3gig where there a gradual increase up 40 end scan. a good result media & drive. Jitter average 11% a fairly constant scan PIF virtually non-existent
Click scan see difference in old firmware 1.09		 Pi errors start just over 80 remain level 4x & 6X burn areas a dramatic drop 6x - 8x transition remain low up 3.5 gig point when starts rise reaching 160 outer edge . Jitter higher first part scan dropping down 6x - 8x transition point one undesirable peak end scan. PIF although higher Pioneer still very low

A speed test in NEC drive gives a perfect scan
Click scan see how improved 1.09 firmware

Speed test shows a perfect graph
A speed test in Pioneer DVR-109 drive shows a good graph only reaching a maximum 12x speed taking 6:17 read disc against 4:58 NEC drive
So reason I use NEC my speed read tests.		 The NEC I was able burn 12x speed media can seen burning speed started 6x increasing 8x .5gig compared 4X - 6X - 8X 2.25gig 8x speed burn. I am sure time taken 8x speed burn drive could reduced.
Speed test 12x speed burnt media shows a decrease in reading speed due poorer quality burn. 12x speed burn in NEC PI starts 80 dropping an acceptable level 8x & 10X speed areas rises 12x transition gradually increasing a peak over 300 end scan. Jitter 15% until 8X speed when drops just over 10% 8x & 10X then increases again 15% 12x speed point. PIF shows an increase 12x speed peaks 30 outer edge.
Both drives produce discs play without problems my DVD players results scans Pioneer burnt disc excellent superior NEC burns playability media comparable. Pioneer latest 1.17 firmware an improvement earlier 1.09 firmware. NEC burn media 12x speed reduced quality does seem affect playability media. considering writer reading media then consider NEC read disc faster up 16x speed against 12x speed pioneer.
First tests drives shows Pioneer superior NEC enough reject NEC I am happy own drives. One thing niggles me neither drive DVD-ROM bitsetting facility DVD+R media.
Datawrite Transprint media a stable media a silver printable surface goes right hub produces a professional printed disc my Epson R200
The main surface 118 x 44 a couple centre rings 44 x 38 38 x 22. 44 x 38 a solid silver backing prominently printed main area 38 x 22 a transparent backing printing being semi transparent.

» Ritek 16x DVD+R Media Originally only Burnt 4x

Link: I received DVD+R sample media mid code RITEKR04. I assured 16x media checking DVDInfoPro (using my Pioneer DVR-109 & NEC DVD_RW ND-3520A - latest 16x speed drives) I was disappointed say least find drives only support a maximum 4x burning media. seems when Ritek produced claimed was 8X DVD+R was only supported speed a very limited number drives. A provisional test showed RITEKR04 media produces quality burns a quarter rated speed. Update 17/02/2005 I just updated my Pioneer DVR-109 latest firmware released today v1.17 still sees media a maximum burn speed CLV 4.0x
Update 27/03/05 latest firmware 1.40 allows 12x burning media
This test burn was maximum burning speed went up in stages 6x 8x finish 12x just over 2gig. dips in graph OPC calibration points when drive checks burn quality appropriate speed
PI scans show an increase up 60 8x burn a sharp decrease 8-12X transition down below 20 then rising slowly 40 end scan.
a good graph overall
Jitter averages 13% fairly constant throughout scan
PIF sharp peaks up 17 outer edge disc reflected in speed test

Speed test shows a good graph up just over 4gig point when there fluctuations showing a drop in readability disc although did affect Playback media.

Although media still burn 16X current firmware Pioneer DVR-109 results 12x speed maximum available show promising results. just needs Pioneer & Ritek get heads together sort out 16x burning.

» BenQ 1620 vs NEC3500A

Link: This a small test compare popular BenQ 1620 NEC3500A. In test I am 3 common types DVD-R media burn movie DVDs. writers loaded latest firmware available NEC3500A loaded Qikee Extreme V3 firmware BenQ firmware B7T9. Quality scans done a LiteOn 811s. In Disk Quality tests PI errors (blue graph) over 250 may skip standalone players. PI errors (blue graph) over 400 may skip standalone players. PI fails (yellow graph) over 10 indicate DVD a coaster (excluding a single spike). In Disk Speed Tests A completed line shows disk can copied in a PC speed can copy at. Datasafe 4x Hub Printable DVD-R (media ID ProdiscS03) Burnt 4x BenQ (this media fails 8x writer) (14min 30s) Burnt 8x NEC (9min 30s) burners give very good results quality tests a PI (blue) error rate well under 250 unlikely skip any standalones. Let’s see how easy copy Nero DVD speed test results Datasafe disk (ProdiscS03) written BenQ 4x Reading BenQ Reading NEC give nice smooth reads NEC speed hacked firmware allow read much faster BenQ. Reading Datasafe disk written NEC 8x Reading BenQ Reading NEC Strangely BenQ reads an S03 disk written NEC much faster disk writes itself. I checked times mistake. NEC again reads much faster. I cheated a little test I had write 4 disks my BenQ writer before I had one read NEC. Datawrite Yellow 8x DVD-r (media ID CMC MAG AE1) Burnt 12x BenQ (7min 10s) Burnt 12x NEC (7min 8s) BenQ burnt disk PI errors over 250 indicates disk may skip picky players PS2 NEC again looks play anything PI errors mostly below 120. Nero DVD speed test results Datawrite Yellow (CMC MAG AE1) disk written BenQ 12x NEC 12x gave nice smooth reads in line previous results. time BenQ had problems producing disks NEC could read. I won’t show graphs had nothing them. Datawrite 8x Hub Printable DVD-r (media ID FUJIFILM03) Burnt 8x BenQ (8min 53s) Burnt 8x NEC (9min 20s) a difference 2 scans BenQ scan looks a movie may skip way according PI fails a coaster. NEC again produced a good scan. Conclusions NEC3500A produced good results under test conditions was also fastest DVD-R reader I ever used. I repeated quality tests BenQ reader surprisingly reported disks had written good so maybe BenQ burns incompatible my LiteOn 811 quality tests rather being bad burns. I also played disks burnt writers in my 'very picky' PS2 'not so picky' Philips dvdr75 'I’ll play anything' DK Digital 915. movies played perfectly (despite quality test results). days use Ritek G04 Verbatim produce playable movies seems over. Out 3 media types I in tests I preferred new Datawrite Yellow 8x @12x (CMC MAG AE1) because speed burn compatibility standalone players. Note I had 2 of writers burn with. NEC3500A writers produced nearly identical burn results. 2 BenQ writers produced wildly different burns; worst writers could even burn FUJIFILM03 media was discarded test faulty.

» Record Now Max 4.5 working new DVD Burners

Link: Record Now Max 4.5 a bit outdated now IMO one best DVD recording apps produces consistently good results. Later versions Record Now various limitations one bad point cannot copy OTF a DVD-ROM drive very latest Record Now facilities somewhat limited even though 7.2 onwards does support Dual Layer burning. burning engine 4.5 & 7.2 incompatible other 7.2 installed cause problems 4.5 Also any PX engine above PxEngine 507 is installed there chance new burner recognised least burning speed show up MAX MED MIN find drive only burn maximum speed. possible two versions working in harmony correct speed selections. needs just a little manipulation file system here my work around. Assuming correctly installed Record Now Max without DLA drivers apply PxEngine 507 Then place files zip Program FilesStompRecordNow MAX folder originals PXEngine 507 modified PxDrv.dll updated MyCdPro.exe give burning speed newer drives. Reboot system try Record Now Max should see burner burning speeds selectable. can now install record Now 7.2 above find affect operation Record Now Max 4.5. reason works way Windows system works when application needs a file operate first looks in folder itself then checks in windows system folders any folders in windows file path so first files finds ones in Record Now Max folder correct working files. speed selection selectable drive in tables PxDrv.dll I modified file enable work my latest drives. normally only RNM 4.5 incorrectly applied a PXEngine then PXEngine 507 just required followed replacement PxDrv.dll in WindowsSystem32 folder PxDrv.dll can downloaded here need details here an alternative quick installation guide getting files working supported burner. Download files need before proceeding. Good Luck. Update Method Existing Recordnow Max v4.5 v4.6 Installations ----------------------------------------------------------------- 1. sure RecordNow Max running. 2. Delete old existing PX*.dll Files windowssystem32 directory (delete px*.dll type files do delete PX.INI ) 3. Install PxEngine507.exe update PX Engine in Recordnow Max v4.5 v4.6 4. Manually delete pxdrv.dll file windowssystem32 directory 5. Replace PXDRV.DLL new one. 6. Test see you DVD drive burning speeds. New Installation Recordnow Max v4.5 v4.6 ----------------------------------------------------------------- 1. Delete old Stomp Sonic installation directory Clean out old installation files 2. Delete old existing PX File windowssystem32 directory (delete px*.dll files) 3. Install RecordNow Max v4.5 v4.6 reboot 4. Manually delete pxdrv.dll file windowssystem32 directory 5. Install PxEngine507.exe update PX Engine in Recordnow Max v4.5 v4.6 6. Manually delete pxdrv.dll file c:windowssystem32 directory 7. Replace PXDRV.DLL new one. 8. Test see you DVD drive burning speeds. latest PXDRV.DLL 5/03/2006 drives supported Pioneer DVR-107 Pioneer DVR-108 Pioneer DVR-109 Pioneer DVR-110 Pioneer DVR-111 Pioneer DVR-112 NEC ND-2500A NEC ND-3500AG NEC ND-3540A NEC ND-4551A BENQ DW1620 LG HL-DT-STDVDRAM GSA-4163B LG HL-DT-ST_DVDRRW_GSA-4166B TSSTcorp SH-S182 PHILIPS PBDV16LSP1 PHILIPS SPD2400L1 PHILIPS PBDV1640P PLEXTOR_DVDR_PX-716A

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