Just bought one tonight. $99 at Computer Sonics in Seattle (Southcenter) The sales guy said the new firmware WILL support -R and +R at 8X. I haven't been home to try yet, but why would he fib. I'm running an AMD Athalon 650 w/ Win XP. Will keep you posted on success (or failure)
Here is some updated information concerning Ricoh Disks.
Media Information Region information N/A not a DVD-VIDEO Media code/Manufacturer ID RICOHJPNR01 Format Capacity Not Formatted Free Blocks 405405696 Free Capacity 4.38GB(4.70GB) Book Type DVD+R Media Type DVD+R Media Id Code Speed 4.0x 5540KBps Available Write Descriptor CLV 8.0x 11080KBps Available Write Descriptor CLV 6.0x 8310KBps Available Write Descriptor CLV 4.0x 5540KBps Available Write Descriptor CLV 2.4x 3324KBps Linear Density Blank Disc Track Density Unknown Number of Layers 1
This was a Ricoh Labeled 4X that I pulled out of Best Buy yesterday. I have put the benchmark on the website.
For everyone above, I copied the wrong DiskInfo for the MMC disk. It should be:
Region information N/A not a DVD-VIDEO Media code/Manufacturer ID MCC 002 Format Capacity 4.38GB(4.70GB) Book Type DVD+R Media Type DVD+R Media Id Code Speed 4.0x 5540KBps Available Write Descriptor CLV 8.0x 11080KBps Available Write Descriptor CLV 4.0x 5540KBps Available Write Descriptor CLV 2.4x 3324KBps Data area starting sector 30000h Data area end sector 23053Fh Linear Density 0.267um/bit Track Density 0.74um/track Number of Layers 1
Nevermind...just copy and paste the link from #15 and it will take you to the right price. Their site is kind of screwy, after adding it to my cart, I had to hit "update" to get it to stay in there.
I ordered one from unitedmicro and it's waiting for me at home now. To get the $139 ($132 + 7 ship) you have to go through pricewatch. Their site lists it as $145 + ship. Navigate to DVD-ROM from the pricewatch home page, then search for "DDW 081" and the listing for unitedmicro should come up. Then navigate to unitedmicro through pricewatch. WARNING: Their resellerrating is very bad, but they are $20 cheaper than everywhere else, so I took a chance. They shipped it pretty quickly (although not the same day as ordered), but I haven't inspected the package yet. Good luck.
There is some contradictory information on the Nu Tech website as to the CD-RW speed of the DDW-081. The specs for the DDW-081(http://www.nuniverse.com/1_english/3_products/01_i... state the CD-RW speed is 10X. However, Nu Tech's news release on the DDW-081 ( http://www.nuniverse.com/1_english/2_new/01_01_new... states "The DDW-081 supports 8X DVD+Write/4X DVD+ReWrite 16X DVD-ROM/40X CD-Write/24X CD-ReWrite/48X CD-ROM." Furthermore, the Philips refernence literature mentioned above (http://www.semiconductors.philips.com/acrobat/lite... states the CD-RW speed is also 24x. If the drive at present only supports CD-RW at 10x, I'm wondering if a future firmware update will upgrade it to 24x?
YUDEN Disks labeled Plextor Media Information Region information N/A not a DVD-VIDEO Media code/Manufacturer ID YUDEN000T01 Format Capacity 4.38GB(4.70GB) Book Type DVD+R Media Type DVD+R Media Id Code Speed 4.0x 5540KBps Data area starting sector 30000h Data area end sector 23053Fh Linear Density 0.267um/bit Track Density 0.74um/track Number of Layers 1
RICOH Disks labeled Imation Media Information Region information N/A not a DVD-VIDEO Media code/Manufacturer ID RICOHJPNR01 Format Capacity 4.38GB(4.70GB) Book Type DVD+R Media Type DVD+R Media Id Code Speed 4.0x 5540KBps Data area starting sector 30000h Data area end sector 23053Fh Linear Density 0.267um/bit Track Density 0.74um/track Number of Layers 1
MMC Disks labeled Verbatim Media Information Region information N/A not a DVD-VIDEO Media code/Manufacturer ID RICOHJPNR01 Format Capacity 4.38GB(4.70GB) Book Type DVD+R Media Type DVD+R Media Id Code Speed 4.0x 5540KBps Data area starting sector 30000h Data area end sector 23053Fh Linear Density 0.267um/bit Track Density 0.74um/track Number of Layers 1
Another Ricoh Disk labeled FujiFilm Media Information Region information N/A not a DVD-VIDEO Media code/Manufacturer ID RICOHJPNR00 Format Capacity 4.38GB(4.70GB) Book Type DVD-ROM Media Type DVD+R Media Id Code Speed 2.4x 3324KBps Data area starting sector 30000h Data area end sector 23053Fh Linear Density 0.267um/bit Track Density 0.74um/track Number of Layers 1
There are two things I'd like to point out. The first being DiskInfoPro identified the MCC disk as 8X before it was burned. Furthermore, the FujiFilm disk was identified as 4X on the box, and 4X in DiskInfoPro before it was burned.
#12: Thank you for the updated link. The PDF I recieved was straight from QSI and I was unaware there was an update on the chipset.
Yes... MMC 02 is capable of 8x with that drive. That's why your utility is saying that. However, that doesn't mean that Verbatim/Mitsu. actually rates it at that speed.
One more thing, in the review you claim that the PNX7850 chipset does not support 8x speed. Not true, it does: http://www.semiconductors.philips.com/acrobat/lite... It was only early versions that didn't support 8x. The PDF you link to is for the complete reference design where the Philips OPU 66.20 limits the speed to 4x (I assume QSI uses a different PUH).
Then Diskinfo is wrong because MCC 002 (as in Mitsubishi Chemical Corp. and not MMC) DVD+R media are only certified for 4x speed. Use DVDInfoPro or DVDIndentifier instead for checking the media.
#1: We did not have a verbatim disk included. We have a 4X DVD+RW instead. Remember, we had a review sample so ours might have been slightly different. We had to upgrade from QSI firmware just to bring ours to spec with the retail drives.
#2: DiskInfo, kind of a neat utlity, claimed the MMC 02 disk is capable of 4X and 8X.
I uploaded the firmware for anyone who wants to download it. Its on the last page of the article.
Is it possible to post the latest firmware? There is no mention of a firmware update on the Nu Tech site. If you can't post it, maybe you can leverage your contact with them to get it up on their web site.
"Our main concerns stem from the lack of 8X DVD+R media. While our current champion, the Plextor 708A, had no problems burning several brands of 4X media at 8X, the DDW-081 will only burn 8X certified media at 8X. The lack of bitsetting capabilities for the drive seemed disappointing also. Granted, our Plextor 708A does not support bitsetting either, but it does support DVD-R burn capabilities."
Did you try the DVD+R 4X Verbatim media that came with the drive....I did and it allowed me to burn @ 8X :)
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25 Comments
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edbiegler - Thursday, April 1, 2004 - link
Just bought one tonight. $99 at Computer Sonics in Seattle (Southcenter) The sales guy said the new firmware WILL support -R and +R at 8X. I haven't been home to try yet, but why would he fib. I'm running an AMD Athalon 650 w/ Win XP. Will keep you posted on success (or failure)Ed
edbiegler - Thursday, April 1, 2004 - link
KristopherKubicki - Tuesday, October 28, 2003 - link
Thanks for the info Murse.Here is some updated information concerning Ricoh Disks.
Media Information
Region information N/A not a DVD-VIDEO
Media code/Manufacturer ID RICOHJPNR01
Format Capacity Not Formatted
Free Blocks 405405696
Free Capacity 4.38GB(4.70GB)
Book Type DVD+R
Media Type DVD+R
Media Id Code Speed 4.0x 5540KBps
Available Write Descriptor CLV 8.0x 11080KBps
Available Write Descriptor CLV 6.0x 8310KBps
Available Write Descriptor CLV 4.0x 5540KBps
Available Write Descriptor CLV 2.4x 3324KBps
Linear Density Blank Disc
Track Density Unknown
Number of Layers 1
This was a Ricoh Labeled 4X that I pulled out of Best Buy yesterday. I have put the benchmark on the website.
Kristopher
Murse - Monday, October 27, 2003 - link
Nu Tech bitsetting utility available. No word yet on if it works. It was supplied by QSI in Taiwan.http://www.cdrlabs.com/phpBB/viewtopic.php?t=13245
Anonymous User - Friday, October 24, 2003 - link
The only place I could find the MCC 002 media was at Amazon.com. Was $58.99 for a 20 pack. Almost twice the price as the Memorex!Could someone post links to 4X media that is a good and is resonably priced?
Anonymous User - Friday, October 24, 2003 - link
livewarehouse has this drive for $139 including 3 day shipping >>http://store.yahoo.com/livewarehouse/dvnt33460.htm...
Anonymous User - Thursday, October 23, 2003 - link
For everyone above, I copied the wrong DiskInfo for the MMC disk. It should be:Region information N/A not a DVD-VIDEO
Media code/Manufacturer ID MCC 002
Format Capacity 4.38GB(4.70GB)
Book Type DVD+R
Media Type DVD+R
Media Id Code Speed 4.0x 5540KBps
Available Write Descriptor CLV 8.0x 11080KBps
Available Write Descriptor CLV 4.0x 5540KBps
Available Write Descriptor CLV 2.4x 3324KBps
Data area starting sector 30000h
Data area end sector 23053Fh
Linear Density 0.267um/bit
Track Density 0.74um/track
Number of Layers 1
Cheers,
Kristopher
Murse - Thursday, October 23, 2003 - link
Nevermind...just copy and paste the link from #15 and it will take you to the right price. Their site is kind of screwy, after adding it to my cart, I had to hit "update" to get it to stay in there.Murse - Thursday, October 23, 2003 - link
I ordered one from unitedmicro and it's waiting for me at home now. To get the $139 ($132 + 7 ship) you have to go through pricewatch. Their site lists it as $145 + ship. Navigate to DVD-ROM from the pricewatch home page, then search for "DDW 081" and the listing for unitedmicro should come up. Then navigate to unitedmicro through pricewatch. WARNING: Their resellerrating is very bad, but they are $20 cheaper than everywhere else, so I took a chance. They shipped it pretty quickly (although not the same day as ordered), but I haven't inspected the package yet. Good luck.Anonymous User - Thursday, October 23, 2003 - link
There is some contradictory information on the Nu Tech website as to the CD-RW speed of the DDW-081. The specs for the DDW-081(http://www.nuniverse.com/1_english/3_products/01_i... state the CD-RW speed is 10X. However, Nu Tech's news release on the DDW-081 ( http://www.nuniverse.com/1_english/2_new/01_01_new... states "The DDW-081 supports 8X DVD+Write/4X DVD+ReWrite 16X DVD-ROM/40X CD-Write/24X CD-ReWrite/48X CD-ROM." Furthermore, the Philips refernence literature mentioned above (http://www.semiconductors.philips.com/acrobat/lite... states the CD-RW speed is also 24x. If the drive at present only supports CD-RW at 10x, I'm wondering if a future firmware update will upgrade it to 24x?Anonymous User - Thursday, October 23, 2003 - link
United Micro has it for $139 shipped.http://www.unitedmicro.com/partw.cgi?DWNT006++5
Anonymous User - Thursday, October 23, 2003 - link
#11: My apologies, I did use DiskInfo Pro.Here is what DIP says AFTER I burned the media.
YUDEN Disks labeled Plextor
Media Information
Region information N/A not a DVD-VIDEO
Media code/Manufacturer ID YUDEN000T01
Format Capacity 4.38GB(4.70GB)
Book Type DVD+R
Media Type DVD+R
Media Id Code Speed 4.0x 5540KBps
Data area starting sector 30000h
Data area end sector 23053Fh
Linear Density 0.267um/bit
Track Density 0.74um/track
Number of Layers 1
RICOH Disks labeled Imation
Media Information
Region information N/A not a DVD-VIDEO
Media code/Manufacturer ID RICOHJPNR01
Format Capacity 4.38GB(4.70GB)
Book Type DVD+R
Media Type DVD+R
Media Id Code Speed 4.0x 5540KBps
Data area starting sector 30000h
Data area end sector 23053Fh
Linear Density 0.267um/bit
Track Density 0.74um/track
Number of Layers 1
MMC Disks labeled Verbatim
Media Information
Region information N/A not a DVD-VIDEO
Media code/Manufacturer ID RICOHJPNR01
Format Capacity 4.38GB(4.70GB)
Book Type DVD+R
Media Type DVD+R
Media Id Code Speed 4.0x 5540KBps
Data area starting sector 30000h
Data area end sector 23053Fh
Linear Density 0.267um/bit
Track Density 0.74um/track
Number of Layers 1
Another Ricoh Disk labeled FujiFilm
Media Information
Region information N/A not a DVD-VIDEO
Media code/Manufacturer ID RICOHJPNR00
Format Capacity 4.38GB(4.70GB)
Book Type DVD-ROM
Media Type DVD+R
Media Id Code Speed 2.4x 3324KBps
Data area starting sector 30000h
Data area end sector 23053Fh
Linear Density 0.267um/bit
Track Density 0.74um/track
Number of Layers 1
There are two things I'd like to point out. The first being DiskInfoPro identified the MCC disk as 8X before it was burned. Furthermore, the FujiFilm disk was identified as 4X on the box, and 4X in DiskInfoPro before it was burned.
#12: Thank you for the updated link. The PDF I recieved was straight from QSI and I was unaware there was an update on the chipset.
Cheers,
Kristopher
Anonymous User - Thursday, October 23, 2003 - link
Yes... MMC 02 is capable of 8x with that drive. That's why your utility is saying that. However, that doesn't mean that Verbatim/Mitsu. actually rates it at that speed.Anonymous User - Thursday, October 23, 2003 - link
One more thing, in the review you claim that the PNX7850 chipset does not support 8x speed. Not true, it does: http://www.semiconductors.philips.com/acrobat/lite...It was only early versions that didn't support 8x. The PDF you link to is for the complete reference design where the Philips OPU 66.20 limits the speed to 4x (I assume QSI uses a different PUH).
Anonymous User - Thursday, October 23, 2003 - link
Then Diskinfo is wrong because MCC 002 (as in Mitsubishi Chemical Corp. and not MMC) DVD+R media are only certified for 4x speed. Use DVDInfoPro or DVDIndentifier instead for checking the media.Anonymous User - Thursday, October 23, 2003 - link
Thanks Christopher :)for the linksAnonymous User - Thursday, October 23, 2003 - link
#1: We did not have a verbatim disk included. We have a 4X DVD+RW instead. Remember, we had a review sample so ours might have been slightly different. We had to upgrade from QSI firmware just to bring ours to spec with the retail drives.#2: DiskInfo, kind of a neat utlity, claimed the MMC 02 disk is capable of 4X and 8X.
I uploaded the firmware for anyone who wants to download it. Its on the last page of the article.
Cheers,
Kristopher
Murse - Thursday, October 23, 2003 - link
You can also take a look at this thread:http://forums.anandtech.com/messageview.cfm?catid=...
They sell it at Newegg, Excaliberpc, Atacom, Unitedmicro, Zipzoomfly...to name a few.
Anonymous User - Thursday, October 23, 2003 - link
Check this thread there are a few sites mentioned..http://www.cdrlabs.com/phpBB/viewtopic.php?t=12956...
Anonymous User - Thursday, October 23, 2003 - link
If anybody knows where you can buy one, please post a link. Thank you.Anonymous User - Thursday, October 23, 2003 - link
BTW IMHO this drive is damm good for the price. (bang 4 your bux)Anonymous User - Wednesday, October 22, 2003 - link
Is it possible to post the latest firmware? There is no mention of a firmware update on the Nu Tech site. If you can't post it, maybe you can leverage your contact with them to get it up on their web site.Anonymous User - Wednesday, October 22, 2003 - link
How about some DVD-ROM and DVD-Video read speed tests? DAE anyone?Anonymous User - Wednesday, October 22, 2003 - link
The MCC 002 discs are technically rated at only 4x. So yes, it can write to some 4x media at 8x.Anonymous User - Wednesday, October 22, 2003 - link
"Our main concerns stem from the lack of 8X DVD+R media. While our current champion, the Plextor 708A, had no problems burning several brands of 4X media at 8X, the DDW-081 will only burn 8X certified media at 8X. The lack of bitsetting capabilities for the drive seemed disappointing also. Granted, our Plextor 708A does not support bitsetting either, but it does support DVD-R burn capabilities."Did you try the DVD+R 4X Verbatim media that came with the drive....I did and it allowed me to burn @ 8X :)
See here for some results:
http://www.cdrlabs.com/phpBB/viewtopic.php?t=12956...