ImgBurn burning BD-RE's at < 1x (using Power2Go gets full 2x)

[numberonesuperguy]

Hi - my first n00b post...

 

I've been using Power2Go for two years burning BD-RE's and occasional BD-R's and its pretty much taken 1.5 hours for a BD-RE 50.

Recently I've added a second BD burner and Power2Go wont run a second instance!

So I was advised to use ImgBurn.

FIRST - It's superb, I can run it from the command line. Winner.

SECOND - I tried using the queue, but I was shown it was easier just to run two instances (thats okay isnt it? It fits my needs fine either way)

 

 

But even when I'm just burning one disk, the problem I have is that it is taking 3 hours to burn a BD-RE 50 that was taking only 1.5 hours with Power2Go.

 

Burn speed is set to AWS which assumes Max.

When it starts the log reports 2x (expected for BD-RE 50).

While running it reports 0.8x (on 2.5.0 - today its 0.9x on 2.5.1)

 

 

Running from the GUI gives the same results as from the command line. The command line args I use are...

 

/SRC my.iso /NOSAVESETTINGS /MODE WRITE /ERASE /DEST E: /VERIFY NO /TESTMODE NO /WAITFORMEDIA /START

 

I do know that with Power2Go, if you have it's 'Enable defect management' checked it too will take 3 hours.

I can't find a similar setting in ImgBurn (is it BurnProof perhaps?)

Or could it be this FastWrite thing? (havent tried it - didnt like the sound of it!)

 

Of my 3 IDE Primary and Secondary channels, one pair is DMA-5, another DMA-4 (the 3rd is marked as DMA, but currently 'not applicable').

 

Please help me ditch Power2Go!

 

ps, I'm presuming both softwares are using the same system drivers, hence I've not tried any of the DMA driver replacement techniques.

Besides, I'm a little reticent ripping out drivers and other things. Its my work computer, and has fiber-channel drivers and other low-level-file-sharing-system drivers for sharing a large and fast RAID - that I dont want to go near or upset.

 

pps

I should mention that I usually have around 5 BD-RE disks in constant use, and the speed difference is irrespective of which disks I use and which drive I use.

 

Many thanks,

 

Nathan.

 

 

drive-media-details:

SONY BDRW BWU-200S 1.0a (ATA)
Current Profile: BD-RE

Disc Information:
Status: Complete
State of Last Session: Complete
Erasable: Yes
Sessions: 1
Sectors: 23,652,352
Size: 48,440,016,896 bytes
Time: 5256:06:52 (MM:SS:FF)
Supported Write Speeds: 2x

TOC Information:
Session 1... (LBA: 0)
-> Track 01  (Mode 1, LBA: 0 - 23652351)
-> LeadOut  (LBA: 23652352)

BD Disc Information (L0):
Disc ID: TDKBLD-Wfa-00
Disc Type: BD-RE
Disc Size: 120mm
Disc Class: 0
Disc Version: 2
Number of Layers: 2
Layer Type: Rewritable
DVD Layer Present: No
CD Layer Present: No
Channel Bit Length: 74.5nm (25GB Per Layer)
BCA Present: Yes
Maximum Transfer Rate: Not Specified
Last User Data PSN for Disc: 0
First PAA of Data Zone: 131,072
Last PAA of Data Zone: 1,658,494

BD Disc Information (L1):
Disc ID: TDKBLD-Wfa-00
Disc Type: BD-RE
Disc Size: 120mm
Disc Class: 0
Disc Version: 2
Number of Layers: 2
Layer Type: Rewritable
DVD Layer Present: No
CD Layer Present: No
Channel Bit Length: 74.5nm (25GB Per Layer)
BCA Present: Yes
Maximum Transfer Rate: Not Specified
Last User Data PSN for Disc: 0
First PAA of Data Zone: 2,535,808
Last PAA of Data Zone: 4,063,230

Format Capacities:
DT: 0x02 - NB: 23652352 (0x0168E800) - TDP: 24576
FT: 0x00 - NB: 23652352 (0x0168E800) - TDP: 24576
FT: 0x01 - NB: 23259136 (0x0162E800) - TDP: 2048
FT: 0x30 - NB: 23652352 (0x0168E800) - TDP: 24576
FT: 0x30 - NB: 23259136 (0x0162E800) - TDP: 36864
FT: 0x30 - NB: 24307712 (0x0172E800) - TDP: 4096
FT: 0x31 - NB: 24438784 (0x0174E800) - TDP: 2048

Performance (Write Speed):
Descriptor 1...
-> B0: 0x01, B1: 0x00, B2: 0x00, B3: 0x00
-> EL: 23652351 (0x0168E7FF)
-> RS: 8,991 KB/s (2x) - WS: 8,991 KB/s (2x)

 

 

 

log: (nb, the burn is not yet finished)

I 14:39:54 ImgBurn Version 2.5.1.0 started!
I 14:39:54 Microsoft Windows XP Professional (5.1, Build 2600 : Service Pack 3)
I 14:39:54 Total Physical Memory: 3,406,620 KB  -  Available: 2,403,584 KB
W 14:39:54 Duplex Secure's SPTD driver can have a detrimental effect on drive performance.
I 14:39:54 Initialising SPTI...
I 14:39:54 Searching for SCSI / ATAPI devices...
I 14:39:54 -> Drive 1 - Info: PIONEER BD-RW   BDR-203 1.05 (H:) (ATA)
I 14:39:54 -> Drive 2 - Info: PIONEER DVD-RW  DVR-110D 1.17 (D:) (ATA)
I 14:39:54 -> Drive 3 - Info: SONY BDRW BWU-200S 1.0a (E:) (ATA)
I 14:39:54 Found 1 DVD±RW and 2 BD-REs!
I 14:41:05 Operation Started!
I 14:41:05 Source File: T:\TEMP FILES\MUX FOLDER\OPUS\The Globe As You Like It\BD\00.00.0000\Output\image\FSImage0.img
I 14:41:05 Source File Sectors: 21,625,568 (MODE1/2048)
I 14:41:05 Source File Size: 44,289,163,264 bytes
I 14:41:05 Source File Volume Identifier: THE GLOBE AS YOU LIKE IT
I 14:41:05 Source File Volume Set Identifier: 02C484FB        THE GLOBE AS YOU LIKE IT
I 14:41:05 Source File Application Identifier: SonicScenaristBD
I 14:41:05 Source File Implementation Identifier: SonicScenaristBD
I 14:41:05 Source File File System(s): UDF (2.50)
I 14:41:05 Destination Device: [3:0:0] SONY BDRW BWU-200S 1.0a (E:) (ATA)
I 14:41:05 Destination Media Type: BD-RE (Disc ID: TDKBLD-Wfa-00) (Speeds: 2x)
I 14:41:05 Destination Media Sectors: 23,652,352
I 14:41:05 Write Mode: BD
I 14:41:05 Write Type: DAO
I 14:41:05 Write Speed: MAX
I 14:41:05 BD-RE FastWrite: No
I 14:41:05 Link Size: Auto
I 14:41:05 Lock Volume: Yes
I 14:41:05 Test Mode: No
I 14:41:05 OPC: No
I 14:41:05 BURN-Proof: Enabled
I 14:41:05 Write Speed Successfully Set! - Effective: 8,991 KB/s (2x)
I 14:41:05 Filling Buffer... (40 MB)
I 14:41:06 Writing LeadIn...
I 14:41:07 Writing Session 1 of 1... (1 Track, LBA: 0 - 21625567)
I 14:41:07 Writing Track 1 of 1... (MODE1/2048, LBA: 0 - 21625567)

[LIGHTNING UK!]

You have to format the disc with spare areas disabled - this is the default setting when you do a full format with ImgBurn.

 

If spare areas are enabled, that's basically the defect management stuff other apps might talk about.

 

When enabled, the drive will automatically verify everything I tell it to write as it goes along - that's why the speed is so slow. It's not something ImgBurn is doing.

 

Yes, FastWrite would get around it on a disc formatted WITH spare areas, but FastWrite is just my name for 'Streaming' (an option in the Write 12 command) and 'Streaming' could in theory mean that the drive skips stuff to ensure it keeps up... so my advice is to leave it disabled and just format without spare areas.

 

Format Capacities:

DT: 0x02 - NB: 23652352 (0x0168E800) - TDP: 24576

FT: 0x00 - NB: 23652352 (0x0168E800) - TDP: 24576

FT: 0x01 - NB: 23259136 (0x0162E800) - TDP: 2048

FT: 0x30 - NB: 23652352 (0x0168E800) - TDP: 24576

FT: 0x30 - NB: 23259136 (0x0162E800) - TDP: 36864

FT: 0x30 - NB: 24307712 (0x0172E800) - TDP: 4096

FT: 0x31 - NB: 24438784 (0x0174E800) - TDP: 2048

 

The bold 'NB' is the size of the disc you'd end up with if spare areas are disabled.

 

Notices yours is currently:

 

I 14:41:05 Destination Media Sectors: 23,652,352

[numberonesuperguy]

I see that all three preferences are ticked

• Prefer Format With Full Certification
  
• Prefer Format Without Spare Areas
  
• Prefer Properly Formatted Discs
  

and

• Prefer Format Size: is Preferred
  

 

Should I change any of this to get the format you're referring to? Perhaps 'format size' to Maximum?

Would you recommend a fresh blank disk? (but that would imply Power2Go formatted disks are different and still able to do 2x ??)

Looks like 'Drive->Full format' on my second drive is claiming the 24438784 (but its still zeroing at the moment).

I must ask, that if it was originally formatted by Power2Go and it's writing 2x okay... any idea why the difference?

 

 

Big thanks for the speedy reply btw.

 

 

Nathan.

[LIGHTNING UK!]

Nope, if you've got spare areas disabled then you're already at max size.

 

Doesn't matter if it's a new disc or not, it just needs to be formatted with those options in place.

 

Power2Go could be changing the format just before it burns (if you don't perform full certification or zero the sectors, it's actually almost instant) or it might be doing the streaming trick.

 

That is of course assuming it reports the actual write speed and not just what you've told it to do.

[numberonesuperguy]

(the write speed quote is definitely representative - Power2Go is taking 1.5hrs vs 3hrs with ImgBurn)

 

Put a FRESH blank disk in and told it to burn last night...

 

I 17:55:20 Operation Started!
I 17:55:20 Device: [3:0:0] SONY BDRW BWU-200S 1.0a (E:) (ATA)
I 17:55:20 Media Type: BD-RE (Disc ID: TDKBLD-Wfa-00) (Speeds: 2x)
I 17:55:20 Quick Erase: No
I 17:55:20 Format Properly: Yes
I 17:55:20 Format Size: Preferred
I 17:55:20 Format With Full Certification: Yes
I 17:55:20 Format Without Spare Areas: Yes
I 17:55:20 Erasing Disc...
I 21:01:50 Operation Successfully Completed! - Duration: 03:06:30
I 21:01:50 Operation Started!
I 21:01:50 Device: [3:0:0] SONY BDRW BWU-200S 1.0a (E:) (ATA)
I 21:01:50 Media Type: BD-RE (Disc ID: TDKBLD-Wfa-00) (Speeds: 2x)
I 21:01:50 Media Sectors: 24,438,784
I 21:01:50 BD-RE FastWrite: No
I 21:01:50 Zeroing Sectors...
I 22:34:46 Synchronising Cache...
I 22:34:47 Operation Successfully Completed! - Duration: 01:32:56 - Total Duration: 04:39:26
I 22:34:47 Average Write Rate: 8,765 KB/s (1.9x)
I 22:34:47 Operation Started!
I 22:34:47 Source File: T:\TEMP FILES\MUX FOLDER\OPUS\The Globe As You Like It\BD\00.00.0000\Output\image\FSImage0.img
I 22:34:47 Source File Sectors: 21,625,568 (MODE1/2048)
I 22:34:47 Source File Size: 44,289,163,264 bytes
I 22:34:47 Source File Volume Identifier: THE GLOBE AS YOU LIKE IT
I 22:34:47 Source File Volume Set Identifier: 02C484FB        THE GLOBE AS YOU LIKE IT
I 22:34:47 Source File Application Identifier: SonicScenaristBD
I 22:34:47 Source File Implementation Identifier: SonicScenaristBD
I 22:34:47 Source File File System(s): UDF (2.50)
I 22:34:47 Destination Device: [3:0:0] SONY BDRW BWU-200S 1.0a (E:) (ATA)
I 22:34:47 Destination Media Type: BD-RE (Disc ID: TDKBLD-Wfa-00) (Speeds: 2x)
I 22:34:47 Destination Media Sectors: 24,438,784
I 22:34:47 Write Mode: BD
I 22:34:47 Write Type: DAO
I 22:34:47 Write Speed: MAX
I 22:34:47 BD-RE FastWrite: No
I 22:34:47 Link Size: Auto
I 22:34:47 Lock Volume: Yes
I 22:34:47 Test Mode: No
I 22:34:47 OPC: No
I 22:34:47 BURN-Proof: Enabled
I 22:34:47 Write Speed Successfully Set! - Effective: 8,991 KB/s (2x)
I 22:34:47 Filling Buffer... (40 MB)
I 22:34:48 Writing LeadIn...
I 22:34:48 Writing Session 1 of 1... (1 Track, LBA: 0 - 21625567)
I 22:34:48 Writing Track 1 of 1... (MODE1/2048, LBA: 0 - 21625567)
I 23:57:06 Synchronising Cache...
I 23:57:07 Exporting Graph Data...
I 23:57:07 Graph Data File: C:\Documents and Settings\Administrator\Application Data\ImgBurn\Graph Data Files\SONY_BDRW_BWU-200S_1.0a_17-MARCH-2010_22-34_TDKBLD-Wfa-00_MAX.ibg
I 23:57:07 Export Successfully Completed!
I 23:57:07 Operation Successfully Completed! - Duration: 01:22:19
I 23:57:07 Average Write Rate: 8,760 KB/s (1.9x) - Maximum Write Rate: 11,469 KB/s (2.6x)

 

The actual data writing speed looks good now! But clearly I could tweak the total time taken...

Where do I find the option for 'Quick Erase'?

What would formatting im-properly do?

What would formatting without full certification do?

Or I'd be grateful for just knowing which combination would not affect burn time (so format time for a blank or re-used disk is zero)

 

 

Many many thanks,

 

N.

Edited March 18, 2010 by numberonesuperguy

[LIGHTNING UK!]

You don't need quick erase, all that does is write zeros to the first few hundred sectors. It doesn't send the actual 'format' command to the drive.

 

Formatting im-properly skips the zeroing sectors part on BD-RE (I think!) and skips the background part of the format on DVD+RW.

 

Full cert means the drive tests each sector on the disc to make sure they all work. If you don't test them, you won't know if it's duff or not.

 

Full formatting is a one time only thing - assuming no other program then messes it up. After that, you just overwrite whatever is on the disc.