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» Amazon Opens Xbox Live Store

      Amazon launched a new Xbox Live Store offering Xbox Live subscriptions Microsoft points download codes Xbox Live Arcade games.

» Dragon Qwik Turn Business Around

      Further our earlier report seems Dragon's Den star Shaf Rasul had an immediate impact Qwikgoal.com business.

» Belkin TuneStage iPod £22.99

      So you've got a nice funky iPod connecting HiFi means in a cradle where can't easily get click wheel.

» BlackBerry Storm 2 Details

      Several details upcoming Blackberry Storm 2 leaked web.

» Dragon Qwik Back Startup

      Dragon’s Den star business mentor Shaf Rasul already stepped in help a contestant online version show.

» Panasonic DVD Multi-Drive SW-9581-C/SW9571-CYY

Link:
2X Speed DVD-RAM Write
2X Speed DVD-R Writing
1X Speed DVD-RW Writing
12X Speed C D-R Writing
8X Speed C D-RW Writing
32X Speed C D-ROM Read
12X Speed DVD-ROM Read
Buffer Under Run Protection
DVD MULTI Read/Write
DMA66 support
Drive SpecificationsDownload Official Spec Sheet (PDF)
Transfer RateUDMA Mode 4: 66.6 MB/s
PIO Mode 4: 16.6 MB/s
Data Capacity4.7Gbytes
InterfaceIDE/ATAPI
Error RateSoft Read Error: Less 10-9
Hard Read Error: Less 10-12
Power Supply12 V � 10% / 5 V � 5%
Environmental TemperatureOperating: 5~45�C
Storage: -30~65�C
Relative HumidityOperating: 10~80% (No condensation)
Storage: 5~90% (No condensation)
Weight1.1 kg 2.4lbs
Dimensions (W x H x D)146 x 41.3 x 196 mm 5.75" x 1.63" x 7.72"
Buffer Capacity2 MB
Capacity4.7 GB / 9.4 GB DVD-RAM (rewritable)
2.8 GB / 5.2 GB DVD-RAM (rewritable)
4.7 GB DVD-R General Use (write once)
4.7 GB DVD-RW (rewritable) Ver. 1.1
C D-R (write Once)
C D-RW (rewritable)
Write Transfer RateDVD-RAM (4.7 GB): 2,770 KB (2X)
DVD-RAM (2.6 GB): 1,385 KB (1X)
DVD-R (4.7 GB): 2,770 KB (2X)
DVD-RW (4.7 GB): 1,385 KB (1X)
C D-R: Max 1,800KB
C D-RW: Max 1,200 kb
Read Transfer RateDVD-RAM (4.7 GB):2,770 KB (2X)
DVD-RAM (2.6 GB):1,385 KB (1X)
DVD-R / RW (4.7:GB): 8.310 KB (Max 6X)
C D-R: 1,520 KB - 4.800 KBs
C D-RW:1,520 KB - 3,600 KBs
DVD-ROM: 3,438 KB - 16.224 KBs
C D-ROM: 1,520 KB - 4,800 KBs
Average Seek TimeDVD-RAM: 120 ms
DVD-ROM/DVD-R C D-ROM: 110 ms
Write Compatibility4.7 GB DVD-RAM,
2.6 GB DVD-RAM
4.7 GB DVD-R (for General Ver 2.0)
4.7 GB DVD-RW (Ver 1.1)
C D-R
C D-RW
Read CompatibilityC D-DA
C D-ROM/XA
Photo C D
Video C D
C D-Extra
C D-R
C D-RW
DVD-ROM
DVD-R
DVD-RW
DVD-Video
DVD-RAM (4.7 GB 2,6 GB)
drive latest release Panasonic supports DVD-R/RW C D-R/RW DVD-RAM an ideal partner Panasonic DMR DVD Video Recorder range being able read write DVD-RAM discs. SW9571-CYY a tray take DVD-RAM disc complete in cartridge well a normal disc whereas SW 9581-C a normal disc tray takes a normal DVD blank disc RAM disc removed cartridge fit tray apart obvious difference drives basic functions. I fitted drive my PC a master my secondary IDE was immediately able burn DVD-R discs.
BURNING TESTS DVD-R media
MediaSpeedResult
FWS 4speed2xGOOD
Datawrite Classic2xGOOD
Datawrite Yellow2xGOOD
Nanya2xGOOD
Bulkpaq 2x2xPOOR
Ritek GO32xGOOD
eProformance2xGOOD
Datasafe DVD-RW1xGOOD
WhiteLabel DVD-RW1xGOOD
burn quality good media I tried except Bulkpaq I never had much success. drive supports buffer under run protection enabled me use a partner my 2 A05 drives burn 3 copies time. In comparison Pioneer A04 drive burns lower quality media better burns most media satisfactorily 2x speed. C D burning 12x speed when I inserted a blank C D-R drive spin up full speed whilst recognised disc vibration drive was annoying when burn started 12x speed there was annoying vibration first couple minutes burn took 7 minutes a 700meg C D burn quality was good.
READ SPEED TESTS
MediaStartNotesEnd
DVD-R2.49-5.94
DVD-RW2.12Peaking @2.82.05
DVD-ROM5.06-9.03
DVD-RAM2.08-2.00
DVD+R2.50-4.49
DVD+RW2.50-6.00
DVD-VIDEO (4.7)2.51-5.81
DVD-VIDEO (9.4)2.54Middle - 6.03.1
C D16.45 -36.96
C D-R16.45-36.96
C D-RW16.45-36.96
Conclusion In conclusion a good quality DVD burner Panasonic picky over media burns DVD-R media I tried 2 x speed. consistently good burn quality added ability burn DVD-RAM a good piece kit. current street price just over �160 require 4x burning one buy.

» Nanya DVD-R Media

Link: I burnt 10 discs full length movies playback my test DVD players playback faultless. discs a plain white top labelling around centre. "GENERAL PURPOSE 1X 2X COMPATIBLE DVD-R 4.7GB GRADE A" underside dye a nice light purple colour a gold outer rim centre. burn 1x speed Pioneer A03 A04 & A05 burn 2x speed Matshita (Panasonic) SW-9581 Sony DRU-500. There degrading in burn quality 2x speed reports in disQworld forums conclude 2x firmware burn satisfactorily 2x speed. I done NERO CD SPEED tests media results Samsung drive show a very good graph Liteon a bit erratic still manages read disc ok reduced speed. I believe discs a good disc DVD movies a little sceptical data. current price discs a good buy.

» The Quest a DVD-ROM Reader

Link:
After acquiring my A05 drives I wanted use best DVD-ROM drive reading my DVD backups. So I carried out a few tests most popular drives find best. results very mixed drive was best in aspects reading different types media. Ones good reading one type media bad in other ways.
Click links see screenshots test mentioned.
drives I tested were:
  • LITEON 163
  • LITEON 166
  • SAMSUNG 616
  • NEC 5800
  • TEAC 516
  • PIONEER 106
  • TOSHIBA M1612
  • TOSHIBA M1712
first test: read speed a dual layer dvd video.
Pioneer TEAC came out equal first an average 8.4x peaking just over 11x.
last in league came Toshibas an average 3.54x peaking under 5x.
second test: read speed a poor quality pressed single layer DVD.
Here Liteon NEC Samsung fastest readers averages 11x & 12x.
Toshibas being slowest averaging 3.47x. we view results DVD readability then Pioneer comes out tops a perfect graph whereas NEC Liteon Samsung show read problems.
Now how fair various DVD media?
First a good 4.37gig DVD-R.
Liteon came out tops here 166 averaging 6.6x Toshiba 1612 came last averaging 3.56.
Second a DVD-R errors 80%.
Here Toshiba M1612 was only drive read disc flawlessly Pioneer 106 failed read 1gig.
results DVD+R media different again NEC reading fastest went off scale over 16x a final speed 16.33x.
Toshiba's again slowest had a smooth graph.
Vivistar DVD-R media longer produced slightly thinner most gave me player compatibility problems. speed readings similar other DVD-R noticeably readability unstable most except Toshiba surprising Liteon 166 recognise disc. I had problem 163 until I updated firmware so a future update may cure this.
Conclusion In conclusion fastest reader DVD-R Liteon 166 slowest being Toshiba 1612 Toshiba best drive reading poor media. ripping Pioneer fastest reading dual-layer Liteons NEC Samsung being fastest reading a single-layer DVD Video. Also Pioneer could read a bad disc better could Toshibas slow sloggers.

READ SPEED TEST
Shown in order fastest downwards

DUAL LAYER PRESSED DVD-VIDEO

BACK MAIN ARTICLE

READ SPEED TEST

PRESSED SINGLE LAYER READ SPEED

BACK MAIN ARTICLE

READ SPEED TEST

PRESSED SINGLE LAYER READABILITY

BACK MAIN ARTICLE

READ SPEED TEST

GOOD DVD-R FULL 4.37gig

BACK MAIN ARTICLE

READ TEST

BAD BURN DVD-R

BACK MAIN ARTICLE

READ SPEED TEST

DVD+R

BACK MAIN ARTICLE

READ SPEED TEST

VIVISTAR DVD-R

BACK MAIN ARTICLE

» 7 Drive DVD+R Duplicater.

Link: This duplicator similar in appearance -R duplicator I reviewed last year 7 RICOH MP5125A PLUS R writers 1 16x BTC. BDV 316C DVD-ROM Drive was supplied without a hard drive so my tests I fitted a 20 gig hard drive in place one RICOH drives. I first did copies Datawrite DVD+R media quality burns poor I checked firmware drives there was an upgrade available I temporally placed RICOH drive in a PC upgraded firmware 1.51 checking quality burns again almost perfect. Copying a full 4.47 gig movie fly 6 DVD+R discs took less 1/2 hour I a mixture 3 Datawrite 3 Traxdata discs. I repeated copy fresh Datawrite & Traxdata discs swapped in drives. resultant scans NERO CD SPEED almost perfect only minor imperfection Datawrite media shown up in my very fussy LITEON LTD163 DVD_ROM drive. imperfections detrimental playback reflect only cost media half Traxdata. I submitted my findings Datawrite informed changing specifications media match Traxdata. I checked playback discs only 2 my players play any DVD+R media Panasonic DMR-E20 Toshiba SD-100E other players played discs flawlessly. The Controller powering up message "THE BEST DUPLICATOR" appears back-lit LCD display was followed a device scan listing drives in order model & firmware. display then shows function selected number copies/No blank media/No drives & source drive second row in display indicates source drive type disc followed size. When copying starts second row changes indicate recording speed % copied & size file copied so far. There only 2 buttons controller & RUN needed use it. button changes operating function RUN button starts it. functions COPY :- copy selected source (Hard Drive partition DVD_ROM) writers When there disc in DVD-ROM reader a usable source disc inserted in any writers selected indicating drive number file size copying can done drive just pressing RUN button when a usable source disc inserted in selected source automatically overrides one COMPARE :- compares source written discs COPY & COMPARE :- copies disc then does a comparison original VERIFY :- does a verification burn ERASE :- erase DVD+RW media in writers LOAD :- function only available when there a hard drive installed loads image disc in selected DVD reader onto hard drive selected partition TEST :- function runs a test burn without actually burning handy see reader can keep up writer there read errors source disc Once function pressing RUN button starts appropriate function Advanced up options accessed pressing button holding in a couple seconds settings SETUP CHOOSE SOURCE :- gives option choose source disc drive copy 1 & 8 Auto & cycled RUN button DISC COUNTER :- gives choice how copies 1 & 8 Manual & Automatic choice again cycled RUN button copy process start automatically when desired number writable discs in drives SKIP READ ERROR:- OFF can selected when there a disc errors copied fly a bit luck there should a usable copy I tried a disc begin play in any DVD player resultant copy DVD played OK My next test was a disc played badly towards end burn resultant disk played back without problems. My next test was a disc failed read 3gig copy speed dropped occasions 23x little 8x I could hear reader struggling read disc resultant movie played back flawless end My final test read errors was a disc could read 94% onwards just locked up in any DVD players whilst copying copy speed dropped 0x point writer drive lights went out 4238 meg continued try read disc drive lights flickering momentarily whilst discs being written (Thanks JustLink buffer underun protection) a total over 5 hours copy was complete resultant video played back OK up error point continued play end film severe pixelation interruptions in audio. skip error JustLink had worked very well setup enables get best possible copy out a bad master WRITING METHOD: - DAO TAO DAO copying DVD movies READING SPEED: - can 1x speed maximum I preferred leave 32x speed refers CD reading speed just over 3x DVD reading speed too fast a reading speed can produce read errors WRITING SPEED:- can 1x up 40x indicated CD speed Maximum. I left max RICOH 2.4x DVD speed gives equivalent CD writing speed 23x DEFAULT:- resets controller factory default satisfactory most users UPDATE FIRMWARE:- setting updating firmware controller via a CD image available controller suppliers PARTITION NAME:- selects partition use hard drive disc image. 4 partitions produced a 20 gig hard drive. A B C & D Well that's functions looked at. How easy copy a disc I put six blanks in drives a disc copied in reader pressed GO less 1/2 hour finished discs ejected display indicated 6 PASSED 0 FAILED indeed I had six perfect copies. There isn't an option eject discs completion I preferred. Next I tried a copy hard drive then burn copying hard drive took 1/4 hour followed burn was just under 1/2 hour. I personally prefer method sure I good copy in case there any problems read errors source disc. SKIP READ ERROR function can always I did copying DVD+RW media also burned 2.4x speed resultant burns also playable in DVD players. I was able use RW burns masters due fact PC DVD-ROM drives I tried discs in reported disc size 4.38gig irrespective file size discs also applied RICOH MP5125A drives. I copied a DVD movie a file size 2,234 meg a DVD+RW discs in duplicator then put one discs in reader copy again reported file size being 4,482 meg I continued copy disc started fine when reached 4,474 meg writing stopped drive continued in state over an hour when I canceled burn. I checked resultant disc playback was fine until reached end film where froze last frame. So I come conclusion DVD+RW media totally unsuitable making DVD movie masters direct Disc Disc copying files can copied hard drive title then burnt Record Now Max without any problems. any RW media in any recorder drives automatically erased before writing starts there warning Conclusion a frills DVD+R Duplicator does says box simplicity ease use. controller required options advanced usage simple enough beginner use I doubt a beginner need duplicate DVDs once. +R format good -R format similar compatibilities. only down side +R format present time cost media rapidly becoming competitive. incompatibility +RW recordings mastering only a minor problem format needs noted. There much variety +R -R media +R media I did use produced excellent results media I was Datawrite Traxdata.

» NEW Firmware Pioneer A03/103 & A04/104

Link: Both firmwares available here. Pioneer 104/A04 Firmware: v1.40 -Supports 2X writing New 4X DVD-R media -Supports 2X writing NEW SONY DVD-R Media -DVD-R/RW Writability Improvement -CD-R/RW Writability Improvement Pioneer 103/A03 Firmware: v2.00 -Supports 2X writing New 4X DVD-R media -DVD-R/RW Writability Improvement -CD-R/RW Writability Improvement When I saw new firmware was out my first reactions ignore curiosity got better me thought �what hecK� so I decided update firmware my drives see any improvements make. firmware tables drives reported Gradius Firmware Forums
A03 version 2.00
Pioneer Video Co.PVC 10-01
Mitsubishi Chem CoTDK101
PVC001001
MCIG01
TDKG010000d9
MCC 00RG200
MXL RG01
TDKG02000000
MCI4XG01
PVCR001002
TDK301sakue3
TDK302saku=3
TDK401saku=3
JVC/VictorT7
A04 version 1.40
Pioneer Video Co.PVC 10-01
Mitsubishi Chem CoTDK101
PVC001001
MCIG01
TDKG010000d9
MCC 00RG200
MXL RG01
TDKG02000000
MEI 00V001
TAIYOYUDEN
CMC MAG.
RITEKG02
SONY MCI4XG01
PVCR001002
TDK301sakue3
TDK302saku=3
TDK401saku=3
JVC/VictorT7
PVCW000001Q9
PVCW000002A9
JVC_VictorW7
PVCW00V00245
TDK502sakuM3
Well I stuck my neck out again upgraded my A03 A04 I tried downgrade hacked UPGDVD.exe Battousai gave up 1 hour. I was able successfully downgrade my previous firmware UPGDVD.exe latest firmware /F switch was done in Windows XP in a dos window way I did was 1 Put required firmware files a folder own 2 Replace UPGDVD.exe one comes latest firmware 3 Right click UPGDVD.exe & drag create shortcut �Shortcut UPGDVD.exe� 4 Right click �Shortcut UPGDVD.exe� select properties 5 Alter Target **********UPGDVD.exe **********UPGDVD.exe /F NOTE SPACE UPGDVD.exe CAPITAL F 6 Double click Shortcut UPGDVD.exe firmware flash force option takes less a minute I applied firmware 2x 4all upgrade proceeded test burns my A04
BRAND NAMECOLOURID TAGSPEEDBURN
BulkpaqG4 Green TopVX...TDKG02..0002xBAD
BulkpaqGen 1 White TopVX...PRINCO1xBAD
BulkpaqGen 3r2 Purple TopVX...PRINCO1xBAD
ChoiceBlue TopVX...TDKG02..0002xBAD
DatasafeMaxell White Top.....MXL RG..01 2xGOOD
DatasafeRitek White Top.....RITEKG..031xGOOD
DatasafePrinco Yellow topVX...PRINCO 1x GOOD
DatasafeGen 1 Blue TopWX...TDKG01..0001xGOOD
Vivistarunbranded Plain Silver.....VIVAST..AR.1xBAD
E-ProformanceSilver-Grey.....PRODIS..CG01x BAD
DatasafeRitek White Top.....RITEKG..03 2x 4allGOOD
E-ProformanceSilver-Grey.....PRODIS..CG02x 4allBAD
Conclusion There does appear any improvement in lower quality media burns there a definite improvement in burns middle grade media in my test burns one film reluctant recognized now plays every time in way good best Ritek media outer edge burns also improved better media. only other advantage main reason upgrade allow 2x burn new high speed 4x media

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