Nero 'DriveSpeed'

[Charlie]

I'm puzzled how to use the 'DriveSpeed' utility (note: not CD-DVD Speed for
testing the discs) in Nero toolkit. Is it for actually setting the drive
speed, or just determining it? The manual only discusses the 'CD-DVD Speed'
utility in any detail, not the DriveSpeed utility.

Basically I need to know what to set my drive at (if it is for setting it).
I just got a Sony CRX320E CD re-writer/DVD ROM 'combi' unit to replace my
dead Ricoh combi unit. It's speeds are as follows:

52x32x52 + 16xDVD. Read speed for CD is 52x, 16x DVD, write speeds: 52x
CD-R, 32x CD-RW. So if I can set my speed, what should I set it at?
Obviously I don't need it spinning at 52x all the time - so what is a decent
speed to set it at? And do I leave it set on this speed, or change it for
certain functions (say, up the speed for transferring data to my PC from a
disc, and slow it down for playing CD's [for quietness]...for example)? Is
this how it is used?

Also, Nero seems to determine that my DVD read speed is only 6x - when it's
supposed to be 16x. I have the latest firmware (NYK5), and I have the latest
files from Nero, so Nero does know this model drive. I'm wondering if it's
the utility at fault, as the drive seems to play DVD's better than my old
Ricoh 8x read speed drive. Confused!!!

Any help is much appreciated.

[smh]

.. --------------------------------------
Mike Richter, were you born with
"Scam Artist" emblazoned on your face?
--------------------------------------

MisterChiversRegal wrote: I'm puzzled how to use the 'DriveSpeed' utility (note: not CD-DVD Speed for testing the discs) in Nero toolkit. Is it for actually setting the drive speed, or just determining it? The manual only discusses the 'CD-DVD Speed' utility in any detail, not the DriveSpeed utility. Basically I need to know what to set my drive at (if it is for setting it). I just got a Sony CRX320E CD re-writer/DVD ROM 'combi' unit to replace my dead Ricoh combi unit. It's speeds are as follows: 52x32x52 + 16xDVD. Read speed for CD is 52x, 16x DVD, write speeds: 52x CD-R, 32x CD-RW. So if I can set my speed, what should I set it at? Obviously I don't need it spinning at 52x all the time - so what is a decent speed to set it at? And do I leave it set on this speed, or change it for certain functions (say, up the speed for transferring data to my PC from a disc, and slow it down for playing CD's [for quietness]...for example)? Is this how it is used?

That's exactly how it's used for - for quietness and smooth playing of
audio/video - mainly by reducing drive spin down/up times.

http://www.nero.com/en/Nero_Toolkit_prev.html
Also, Nero seems to determine that my DVD read speed is only 6x - when it's supposed to be 16x.

Where did you get this info?
I have the latest firmware (NYK5), and I have the latest files from Nero, so Nero does know this model drive. I'm wondering if it's the utility at fault, as the drive seems to play DVD's better than my old Ricoh 8x read speed drive. Confused!!!

General speed issue are whether DMA is on and 80-conductor cable is
used.

----------------------------------------
Mikey, you are the Slimiest Friggin SOB!
----------------------------------------

--------------------------------------
Mike Richter, were you born with
"Scam Artist" emblazoned on your face?
--------------------------------------

[Charlie]

"smh" <smhong@mindspring.com> wrote in message
news:41F4E81B.69991459@mindspring.com... . -------------------------------------- Mike Richter, were you born with "Scam Artist" emblazoned on your face? -------------------------------------- MisterChiversRegal wrote: I'm puzzled how to use the 'DriveSpeed' utility (note: not CD-DVD Speed
for testing the discs) in Nero toolkit. Is it for actually setting the drive speed, or just determining it? The manual only discusses the 'CD-DVD
Speed' utility in any detail, not the DriveSpeed utility. Basically I need to know what to set my drive at (if it is for setting
it). I just got a Sony CRX320E CD re-writer/DVD ROM 'combi' unit to replace
my dead Ricoh combi unit. It's speeds are as follows: 52x32x52 + 16xDVD. Read speed for CD is 52x, 16x DVD, write speeds: 52x CD-R, 32x CD-RW. So if I can set my speed, what should I set it at? Obviously I don't need it spinning at 52x all the time - so what is a
decent speed to set it at? And do I leave it set on this speed, or change it
for certain functions (say, up the speed for transferring data to my PC from
a disc, and slow it down for playing CD's [for quietness]...for example)?
Is this how it is used? That's exactly how it's used for - for quietness and smooth playing of audio/video - mainly by reducing drive spin down/up times. http://www.nero.com/en/Nero_Toolkit_prev.html Also, Nero seems to determine that my DVD read speed is only 6x - when
it's supposed to be 16x. Where did you get this info?


From Nero DriveSpeed, it detects a maximum of 8x while using DVD's
(pre-recorded, commercial films). All the CD/RW read and write speeds are
correctly reported, just the DVD speed isn't.


I have the latest firmware (NYK5), and I have the latest files from Nero, so Nero does know this model drive. I'm wondering if
it's the utility at fault, as the drive seems to play DVD's better than my
old Ricoh 8x read speed drive. Confused!!! General speed issue are whether DMA is on and 80-conductor cable is used.

Ah, I know my motherboard came with a 40 pin/80 conductor IDE cable, and a
standard 40 pin IDE cable. The shop who built my PC (I designed it, they
built it) used the 80 conductor cable for my hard drive, and I suspect they
used the standard 40 pin cable on my CDRW/DVD combi unit. Now, as the one I
have replaced it with is OEM, and it never came with a cable - I think they
must have used the non-80 conductor cable that was connecting my old drive
to install my new optical drive (I had them install it). DMA is reported as
being switched on, yes.

If they have used a non 80 conductor cable to install it, would this cause
this problem? Keep in mind that CD's and stuff are being read and written at
the max 52x and 32x speeds though...it's just the DVD read speed that is
apparently 'locked' at 8x instead of the spec 16x. Either that or the Nero
utility is reporting the wrong DVD speed.

Thank you for your input.

[smh]

.. --------------------------------------
Mike Richter, were you born with
"Scam Artist" emblazoned on your face?
--------------------------------------

MisterChiversRegal wrote: "smh" wrote: MisterChiversRegal wrote: I'm puzzled how to use the 'DriveSpeed' utility (note: not CD-DVD Speed for testing the discs) in Nero toolkit. Is it for actually setting the drive speed, or just determining it? The manual only discusses the 'CD-DVD Speed' utility in any detail, not the DriveSpeed utility. Basically I need to know what to set my drive at (if it is for setting it). I just got a Sony CRX320E CD re-writer/DVD ROM 'combi' unit to replace my dead Ricoh combi unit. It's speeds are as follows: 52x32x52 + 16xDVD. Read speed for CD is 52x, 16x DVD, write speeds: 52x CD-R, 32x CD-RW. So if I can set my speed, what should I set it at? Obviously I don't need it spinning at 52x all the time - so what is a decent speed to set it at? And do I leave it set on this speed, or change it for certain functions (say, up the speed for transferring data to my PC from a disc, and slow it down for playing CD's [for quietness]...for example)? Is this how it is used? That's exactly how it's used for - for quietness and smooth playing of audio/video - mainly by reducing drive spin down/up times. http://www.nero.com/en/Nero_Toolkit_prev.html Also, Nero seems to determine that my DVD read speed is only 6x - when it's supposed to be 16x. Where did you get this info? From Nero DriveSpeed, it detects a maximum of 8x while using DVD's (pre-recorded, commercial films). All the CD/RW read and write speeds are correctly reported, just the DVD speed isn't.
I have the latest firmware (NYK5), and I have the latest files from Nero, so Nero does know this model drive. I'm wondering if it's the utility at fault, as the drive seems to play DVD's better than my old Ricoh 8x read speed drive. Confused!!! General speed issue are whether DMA is on and 80-conductor cable is used. Ah, I know my motherboard came with a 40 pin/80 conductor IDE cable, and a standard 40 pin IDE cable. The shop who built my PC (I designed it, they built it) used the 80 conductor cable for my hard drive, and I suspect they used the standard 40 pin cable on my CDRW/DVD combi unit. Now, as the one I have replaced it with is OEM, and it never came with a cable - I think they must have used the non-80 conductor cable that was connecting my old drive to install my new optical drive (I had them install it). DMA is reported as being switched on, yes. If they have used a non 80 conductor cable to install it, would this cause this problem? Keep in mind that CD's and stuff are being read and written at the max 52x and 32x speeds though...it's just the DVD read speed that is apparently 'locked' at 8x instead of the spec 16x. Either that or the Nero utility is reporting the wrong DVD speed.

Don't know if 40-conductor cable causes DriveSpeed to read lower speed,
but consider that newer retail DVDs bundle 80-conductor cables. Also
consider that DVD 1x is equivalent to about CD 9x:

http://www.dvddemystified.com/dvdfaq.html#4.2

A 1x DVD-ROM drive provides a data transfer rate of 1.321 MB/s
(11.08*10^6/8/2^20) with burst transfer rates of up to 12 MB/s or
higher. The data transfer rate from a DVD-ROM disc at 1x speed is
roughly equivalent to a 9x CD-ROM drive (1x CD-ROM data transfer rate is
150 KB/s, or 0.146 MB/s). DVD physical spin rate is about 3 times faster
than CD (that is, 1x DVD spin ~ 3x CD spin), but most DVD-ROM drives
increase motor speed when reading CD-ROMs, achieving 12x or faster
performance. A drive listed as "16x/40x" reads a DVD at 16 times normal,
or a CD at 40 times normal. DVD-ROM drives are available in 1x, 2x, 4x,
4.8x, 5x, 6x, 8x, 10x, and 16x speeds, although they usually don't
achieve sustained transfer at their full rating. The "max" in DVD and CD
speed ratings means that the listed speed only applies when reading data
at the outer edge of the disc, which moves faster. The average data rate
is lower than the max rate.

----------------------------------------
Mikey, you are the Slimiest Friggin SOB!
----------------------------------------

--------------------------------------
Mike Richter, were you born with
"Scam Artist" emblazoned on your face?
--------------------------------------

[Charlie]

"smh" <smhong@mindspring.com> wrote in message
news:41F58DBA.2D3A4132@mindspring.com... . -------------------------------------- Don't know if 40-conductor cable causes DriveSpeed to read lower
speed..........[SNIP]

Ah, it seems Nero DriveSpeed is totally dependant on the disc in in the
drive at the time of use. I just ran it using several commercial R2 DVD's -
with the majority, it detects a maximum of 8x read speed....but on several
discs, it detects it's read speed as 16x - which is the stated maximum speed
of this drive (16x max for DVD, 52x max CD).

Upon googling, this has confused many people with many different drives -
and led them to think their drive is locked at 8x. I found several mentions
now of this utility being 'disc dependant'. It will detect the maximum speed
that *a* particular disc will be read at - not the speed your drive will
read *any* disc. It would pay Nero to make a note of this in their product
literature - as I said, this has confused many people.

Thanks for your input. I understand more about drives, discs and DMA cables
now - thanks to you!

[Charlie]

"MisterChiversRegal" <no@spam.com> wrote in message
news:ct8u2u$7qh$1@newsg2.svr.pol.co.uk... "smh" <smhong@mindspring.com> wrote in message news:41F58DBA.2D3A4132@mindspring.com... . -------------------------------------- Don't know if 40-conductor cable causes DriveSpeed to read lower speed..........[SNIP] Ah, it seems Nero DriveSpeed is totally dependant on the disc in in the drive at the time of use...........

Further to that - I have now learned this is always the case...with all
drives. Simply put, DVD drives will read (going off the present speeds of
today's drives) single layer discs at 16x, and dual layer discs at 8x. So,
when a drive says 16 max DVD read speed, it is the maximum possible - and
that maximum is only reached when reading a single layer DVD disc (and even
then this speed will only be reached at the end of the disc). I suppose it's
just the same for writing discs too - they write at 8x single layer, and 4x
dual layer (maybe they do faster than this now, I've not kept up with DVD
writers).

I never knew this - and I wish I knew this before I got my new drive.....it
nearly went back to the shop (and this shop charges you £20 if a returned
product proves not to be faulty!!!). Well, you live and learn!