Format error with BD-RE using Pioneer BDR-203

[DarrylR]

Hi,

 

I just got a second set of BD-RE DL discs (code is TDKBLD-Wfa-00) and noticed a problem when formatting using ImgBurn. I've been searching around but have not seen this mentioned anywhere else. Previously I was using Verbatim BD-RE DL's (MEI-T01-01) and did not have any similar issues. I honestly thought these new ones were Verbatims as well but it turns out they're the TDK's (The packaging says Mitsubishi)

 

Here is the log from Imgburn...

 

I 12:20:26 ImgBurn Version 2.5.0.0 started!

I 12:20:26 Microsoft Windows XP Professional (5.1, Build 2600 : Service Pack 3)

I 12:20:26 Total Physical Memory: 2,096,172 KB - Available: 1,267,420 KB

I 12:20:26 Initialising SPTI...

I 12:20:26 Searching for SCSI / ATAPI devices...

I 12:20:26 Found 1 DVD±RW, 2 BD-ROM/HD DVD-ROMs and 1 BD-RE!

I 12:22:33 Operation Started!

I 12:22:33 Device: [4:0:0] PIONEER BD-RW BDR-203 1.10 (E:) (SCSI)

I 12:22:33 Media Type: BD-RE (Disc ID: TDKBLD-Wfa-00) (Speeds: 2x)

I 12:22:33 Quick Erase: No

I 12:22:33 Format Properly: Yes

I 12:22:33 Format Size: Preferred

I 12:22:33 Format With Full Certification: Yes

I 12:22:33 Format Without Spare Areas: Yes

I 12:22:33 Erasing Disc...

W 12:22:34 FormatDisc(FT: 0x31, FST: 0x02) Not Supported!

W 12:22:34 FormatDisc(FT: 0x31, FST: 0x03) Not Supported!

I 12:23:42 Operation Successfully Completed! - Duration: 00:01:08

I 12:23:42 Operation Started!

I 12:23:42 Device: [4:0:0] PIONEER BD-RW BDR-203 1.10 (E:) (SCSI)

I 12:23:42 Media Type: BD-RE (Disc ID: TDKBLD-Wfa-00) (Speeds: 2x)

I 12:23:42 Media Sectors: 24,438,784

I 12:23:42 BD-RE FastWrite: Yes

I 12:23:42 Zeroing Sectors...

 

The "zeroing sectors" is still running but i'm concerned about the FormatDisc error. Has anyone seen this before? Am I likely to run into problems now with this disc?

 

Thanks,

 

Darryl

Edited November 10, 2009 by DarrylR

[LIGHTNING UK!]

It's a warning, not an error.

 

The ones that failed are to make it perform full certification of the media as it formats (i.e. check it's all ok). That's why it only took a minute to format/erase and not a couple of hours! (The zeroing bit is extra)

[DarrylR]

Thanks for the very quick reply Lightning..

 

The zeroing completed successfully. One other thing I notice now though is that it's burning at the full 2x speed even with BD-RE FastWrite off. Does that make sense? With the previous Verbatim's I was using I would only ever see 0.8x with BD-RE FastWrite off. Here is the log and it's going at 9000KB/sec (2.0x).

 

I 13:57:22 ImgBurn Version 2.5.0.0 started!

I 13:57:22 Microsoft Windows XP Professional (5.1, Build 2600 : Service Pack 3)

I 13:57:22 Total Physical Memory: 2,096,172 KB - Available: 1,226,264 KB

I 13:57:22 Initialising SPTI...

I 13:57:22 Searching for SCSI / ATAPI devices...

I 13:57:23 Found 1 DVD±RW, 2 BD-ROM/HD DVD-ROMs and 1 BD-RE!

I 13:57:44 Operation Started!

I 13:57:44 Source File: T:\TEST.MDS

I 13:57:44 Source File Sectors: 3,383,296 (MODE1/2048)

I 13:57:44 Source File Size: 6,928,990,208 bytes

I 13:57:44 Source File Volume Identifier: TEST_IMAGE

I 13:57:44 Source File Volume Set Identifier: 3B5AB7800339F31

I 13:57:44 Source File Application Identifier: ImgBurn v2.5.0.0

I 13:57:44 Source File Implementation Identifier: ImgBurn

I 13:57:44 Source File File System(s): UDF (2.50)

I 13:57:44 Destination Device: [4:0:0] PIONEER BD-RW BDR-203 1.10 (E:) (SCSI)

I 13:57:44 Destination Media Type: BD-RE (Disc ID: TDKBLD-Wfa-00) (Speeds: 2x)

I 13:57:44 Destination Media Sectors: 24,438,784

I 13:57:44 Write Mode: BD

I 13:57:44 Write Type: DAO

I 13:57:44 Write Speed: MAX

I 13:57:44 BD-RE FastWrite: No

I 13:57:44 Link Size: Auto

I 13:57:44 Lock Volume: Yes

I 13:57:44 Test Mode: No

I 13:57:44 OPC: No

I 13:57:44 BURN-Proof: Enabled

I 13:57:44 Advanced Settings - Optimal Writing Speed: No

I 13:57:45 Filling Buffer... (512 MB)

I 13:57:51 Writing LeadIn...

I 13:57:51 Writing Session 1 of 1... (1 Track, LBA: 0 - 3383295)

I 13:57:51 Writing Track 1 of 1... (MODE1/2048, LBA: 0 - 3383295)

[mmalves]

It's burning at full speed because the disc was formatted without spare areas, hence the drive itself doesn't check if the sectors were correctly written nor does it re-allocate bad sectors.

 

Make sure you leave Verify enabled

[DarrylR]

Thanks,

 

Ok so now the likely expected questions....

 

So is using "spare areas" recommended or more/less reliable over time? I've just been googling about it and I understand some of what this means but it isn't clear to me of the real advantage of using or not using these? What is the most recommended way to format BD-RE DL's? I have no problem with either option of doing verify in ImgBurn or running FastWrite=Off burns overnight and no verify in ImgBurn. If an ImgBurn verify fails when i'm using a "without spare areas" BD-RE can I simply just write the BD-RE again or is it likely if a problem happened on the previous write that it would happen again?

Edited November 10, 2009 by DarrylR

[LIGHTNING UK!]

It's better to have spare areas disabled than turning fast write on.

 

Fast write basically just enables 'streaming' mode on the write command. The docs aren't exactly clear (to me anyway!) how a drive should handle it but if the drive can't cope with the stream speed wise then it's allowed to just ignore/drop stuff. I've never seen it happen but there's always a first time

 

If you want data security (i.e. for storage), leave spare areas enabled. If it's just for something you're burning quickly for 1 time usage, having the quicker burn time is probably better.

[DarrylR]

You folks are super for replying so quick - I really appreciate it and your program.

 

This quote is exactly what I was looking for and I'll follow this rule of thumb..

 

If you want data security (i.e. for storage), leave spare areas enabled. If it's just for something you're burning quickly for 1 time usage, having the quicker burn time is probably better.

 

Thanks a lot!