This may be slightly off-topic, but this seemed to be the best place I
could find.
I'm wondering if I need to replace the LG DVD-RW drive on my PC. The drive
appears to read CDs and DVDs just fine, but the trouble occurs when I try to
burn video DVDs (haven't tried any data DVDs yet). The write process will
appear to have been successful, but when I go to play the disc back (on
various players), only the first 5 minutes or so is playable - after that,
the video goes jerky and/or freezes. I've tried burning several discs with
different content, and with different levels of compression, and have noted
something odd. The problem seems to occur at a certain physical place on the
disc, regardless of the content. For example, if I burn a disc at 100%
quality, the video cuts out about five minutes in. If I burn the same
content at 50% quality, the video goes about ten minutes before it cuts out.
Examining the disc itself showed something else very odd. The first 1/4" of
the written area (from the center) has a darker appearance than the rest of
the disc. Previously burned discs that turned out OK do not show this
symptom - the entire surface of the disc (the written area anyway) is the
same color. All have been recorded with the same media, hardware, software,
and settings.
At this point I suspect that the laser is crapping out after it warms up -
would I be right? This drive has (successfully) burned hundreds of CD's and
DVD's in it's two-year lifetime, so failure would not surprise me. But I'd
still like to make sure before I shell out $50 for a new one.

On Mon, 03 Nov 2008 18:26:17 -0000, Chris F. wrote:

This may be slightly off-topic, but this seemed to be the best place I
could find.
I'm wondering if I need to replace the LG DVD-RW drive on my PC. The drive
appears to read CDs and DVDs just fine, but the trouble occurs when I try to
burn video DVDs (haven't tried any data DVDs yet). The write process will
appear to have been successful, but when I go to play the disc back (on
various players), only the first 5 minutes or so is playable - after that,
the video goes jerky and/or freezes. I've tried burning several discs with
different content, and with different levels of compression, and have noted
something odd. The problem seems to occur at a certain physical place on the
disc, regardless of the content. For example, if I burn a disc at 100%
quality, the video cuts out about five minutes in. If I burn the same
content at 50% quality, the video goes about ten minutes before it cuts out.
Examining the disc itself showed something else very odd. The first 1/4" of
the written area (from the center) has a darker appearance than the rest of
the disc. Previously burned discs that turned out OK do not show this
symptom - the entire surface of the disc (the written area anyway) is the
same color. All have been recorded with the same media, hardware, software,
and settings.
At this point I suspect that the laser is crapping out after it warms up -
would I be right? This drive has (successfully) burned hundreds of CD's and
DVD's in it's two-year lifetime, so failure would not surprise me. But I'd
still like to make sure before I shell out $50 for a new one.

I'm inclined to agree - it's probably the drive. Although you could try a different brand of blank disks, they may work better with it.

Have you used the burner a lot? They do wear out.

Usually the disk's colour change where written is less obvious when a laser is dying.

--
http://www.petersparrots.com http://www.insanevideoclips.com http://www.petersphotos.com

New here? Pull up a chair and we'll plug you in.

On Mon, 3 Nov 2008 10:26:17 -0800, "Chris F."
put finger to keyboard and composed:

This may be slightly off-topic, but this seemed to be the best place I
could find.
I'm wondering if I need to replace the LG DVD-RW drive on my PC. The drive
appears to read CDs and DVDs just fine, but the trouble occurs when I try to
burn video DVDs (haven't tried any data DVDs yet). The write process will
appear to have been successful, but when I go to play the disc back (on
various players), only the first 5 minutes or so is playable - after that,
the video goes jerky and/or freezes. I've tried burning several discs with
different content, and with different levels of compression, and have noted
something odd. The problem seems to occur at a certain physical place on the
disc, regardless of the content. For example, if I burn a disc at 100%
quality, the video cuts out about five minutes in. If I burn the same
content at 50% quality, the video goes about ten minutes before it cuts out.
Examining the disc itself showed something else very odd. The first 1/4" of
the written area (from the center) has a darker appearance than the rest of
the disc. Previously burned discs that turned out OK do not show this
symptom - the entire surface of the disc (the written area anyway) is the
same color. All have been recorded with the same media, hardware, software,
and settings.
At this point I suspect that the laser is crapping out after it warms up -
would I be right? This drive has (successfully) burned hundreds of CD's and
DVD's in it's two-year lifetime, so failure would not surprise me. But I'd
still like to make sure before I shell out $50 for a new one.

Try burning at the lowest possible speed. That should require a lower
laser intensity. A lower speed may also compensate for servo problems,
which could also be related to a weak laser. The laser needs to track
a "pregroove" on an otherwise blank disc.

It might also be worth noting whether you have the same problems when
burning CDs.

Another possibility could be that your drive is using P-CAV or Z-CLV
modes:
http://cdspeed2000.com/faq.html#4

This means that the transfer rate is lowest near the hub and increases
as the laser moves toward the circumference. A weak laser could have
problems at higher speeds.

- Franc Zabkar
--
Please remove one 'i' from my address when replying by email.

Chris F. wrote:

This may be slightly off-topic, but this seemed to be the best place
I
could find.
I'm wondering if I need to replace the LG DVD-RW drive on my PC. The
drive
appears to read CDs and DVDs just fine, but the trouble occurs when I
try to burn video DVDs (haven't tried any data DVDs yet). The write
process will appear to have been successful, but when I go to play the
disc back (on various players), only the first 5 minutes or so is
playable - after that, the video goes jerky and/or freezes. I've tried
burning several discs with different content, and with different
levels of compression, and have noted something odd. The problem seems
to occur at a certain physical place on the disc, regardless of the
content. For example, if I burn a disc at 100% quality, the video cuts
out about five minutes in. If I burn the same content at 50% quality,
the video goes about ten minutes before it cuts out. Examining the
disc itself showed something else very odd. The first 1/4" of the
written area (from the center) has a darker appearance than the rest
of the disc. Previously burned discs that turned out OK do not show
this symptom - the entire surface of the disc (the written area
anyway) is the same color. All have been recorded with the same media,
hardware, software, and settings.
At this point I suspect that the laser is crapping out after it
warms up -
would I be right? This drive has (successfully) burned hundreds of
CD's and DVD's in it's two-year lifetime, so failure would not
surprise me. But I'd still like to make sure before I shell out $50
for a new one.

The laser is sticking part way down the rails ! Probably dirt, dust or
other debris. If you want to open it up and clean the rails with a dry
cotton bud and then one damped in very fine oil it should get it
working again.

--
Best Regards:
Baron.

"Chris F." wrote in message
...
This may be slightly off-topic, but this seemed to be the best place I
could find.


At this point I suspect that the laser is crapping out after it warms
up -
would I be right? This drive has (successfully) burned hundreds of CD's
and
DVD's in it's two-year lifetime, so failure would not surprise me. But I'd
still like to make sure before I shell out $50 for a new one.

Make sure the computer is doing nothing else at write time. Also, lots of
RAM helps.

Burning software that "gets behind" often causes problems like yours.

Chris F. wrote:
This may be slightly off-topic, but this seemed to be the best place I
could find.
I'm wondering if I need to replace the LG DVD-RW drive on my PC. The drive
appears to read CDs and DVDs just fine, but the trouble occurs when I try to
burn video DVDs (haven't tried any data DVDs yet). The write process will
appear to have been successful, but when I go to play the disc back (on
various players), only the first 5 minutes or so is playable - after that,
the video goes jerky and/or freezes. I've tried burning several discs with
different content, and with different levels of compression, and have noted
something odd. The problem seems to occur at a certain physical place on the
disc, regardless of the content. For example, if I burn a disc at 100%
quality, the video cuts out about five minutes in. If I burn the same
content at 50% quality, the video goes about ten minutes before it cuts out.
Examining the disc itself showed something else very odd. The first 1/4" of
the written area (from the center) has a darker appearance than the rest of
the disc. Previously burned discs that turned out OK do not show this
symptom - the entire surface of the disc (the written area anyway) is the
same color. All have been recorded with the same media, hardware, software,
and settings.
At this point I suspect that the laser is crapping out after it warms up -
would I be right? This drive has (successfully) burned hundreds of CD's and
DVD's in it's two-year lifetime, so failure would not surprise me. But I'd
still like to make sure before I shell out $50 for a new one.





Back in the early days of consumer CD-RW drives I had a drive that
"mysteriously" started doing a similar thing. I would start to burn a
disc,and then it would lock up at about 33%,everytime. I had to
physically power-cycle the PC to regain control.

I later learned that this was caused by my switch from Adaptec
software,to Nero. Apparently they have different drivers,and if one
isn't installed over the other correctly(blah,blah,blah)it will hose the
firmware in the drive! OOPS! I was not happy when I read that.
$300 drive toasted. Grr.

Many years later I lucked out,and got a brand new 52x drive for $15.
(and it is still working fine in the server.)

On Mon, 03 Nov 2008 22:38:42 -0000, Charles wrote:


"Chris F." wrote in message
...
This may be slightly off-topic, but this seemed to be the best place I
could find.


At this point I suspect that the laser is crapping out after it warms
up -
would I be right? This drive has (successfully) burned hundreds of CD's
and
DVD's in it's two-year lifetime, so failure would not surprise me. But I'd
still like to make sure before I shell out $50 for a new one.

Make sure the computer is doing nothing else at write time. Also, lots of
RAM helps.

Burning software that "gets behind" often causes problems like yours.

Only with very old drives without burn-proof (anti buffer underrun) technology - the ability to stop and wait for the computer.

--
http://www.petersparrots.com http://www.insanevideoclips.com http://www.petersphotos.com

Leaving the wedding reception the honeymoon couple hailed a cab to take them to their romantic boutique hotel in the hills. The driver wasn't too sure how to get there and said he would ask
directions when they got closer.
Meanwhile, the lovers couldn't wait and got down to it on the back seat. Seeing a fork in the road the driver said, "I take the next turn, right?"
"No way, get your own," said the groom, "this one's all mine."

On Tue, 04 Nov 2008 03:00:17 -0000, PhattyMo wrote:

Chris F. wrote:
This may be slightly off-topic, but this seemed to be the best place I
could find.
I'm wondering if I need to replace the LG DVD-RW drive on my PC. The drive
appears to read CDs and DVDs just fine, but the trouble occurs when I try to
burn video DVDs (haven't tried any data DVDs yet). The write process will
appear to have been successful, but when I go to play the disc back (on
various players), only the first 5 minutes or so is playable - after that,
the video goes jerky and/or freezes. I've tried burning several discs with
different content, and with different levels of compression, and have noted
something odd. The problem seems to occur at a certain physical place on the
disc, regardless of the content. For example, if I burn a disc at 100%
quality, the video cuts out about five minutes in. If I burn the same
content at 50% quality, the video goes about ten minutes before it cuts out.
Examining the disc itself showed something else very odd. The first 1/4" of
the written area (from the center) has a darker appearance than the rest of
the disc. Previously burned discs that turned out OK do not show this
symptom - the entire surface of the disc (the written area anyway) is the
same color. All have been recorded with the same media, hardware, software,
and settings.
At this point I suspect that the laser is crapping out after it warms up -
would I be right? This drive has (successfully) burned hundreds of CD's and
DVD's in it's two-year lifetime, so failure would not surprise me. But I'd
still like to make sure before I shell out $50 for a new one.





Back in the early days of consumer CD-RW drives I had a drive that
"mysteriously" started doing a similar thing. I would start to burn a
disc,and then it would lock up at about 33%,everytime. I had to
physically power-cycle the PC to regain control.

I later learned that this was caused by my switch from Adaptec
software,to Nero. Apparently they have different drivers,and if one
isn't installed over the other correctly(blah,blah,blah)it will hose the
firmware in the drive! OOPS! I was not happy when I read that.
$300 drive toasted. Grr.

Many years later I lucked out,and got a brand new 52x drive for $15.
(and it is still working fine in the server.)

I just rendered Windows Vista 64 bit unbootable by installing Roxio.

--
http://www.petersparrots.com http://www.insanevideoclips.com http://www.petersphotos.com

A bloke on his way home from work comes to a dead halt in traffic and thinks to himself, "Wow, this traffic seems worse than usual. Nothing's moving."
He notices a police officer walking back and forth between the lines of cars so he rolls down his window and asks: "Officer what's the hold up?"
The officer replies: "It's a Man Utd fan, he's just so depressed about losing the premiership to Arsenal last season and again to Chelsea this season, being knocked out of Europe and the prospect of winning **** all after gobbing off all season, selling out to a yank, he's threatening to douse himself in petrol and set himself on fire. He says his family hates him, his mates are all laughing at him and he has never had a job. I'm walking around taking a collection for him."
"Oh really?" says the bloke. "How much have you collected so far?".
"Only about 1/2 a litre, but a lot of people are still siphoning."