Erratic write speed - wtf?

[shinypaper]

I'm trying to burn at 8x to Verbatim DVD-R using a Samsung SH-S223Q (SB00 firmware) . When I start the burn process, it starts at 4x until around 70% completion and then it jumps up to 6x or 8x. On other discs it has only gone down to around 6x before speeding up again right near the end. Any ideas?

 

Thanks.

 

LOG:

 

I 15:22:04 ImgBurn Version 2.5.7.0 started!

I 15:22:04 Microsoft Windows 7 Ultimate x64 Edition (6.1, Build 7601 : Service Pack 1)

I 15:22:04 Total Physical Memory: 8,387,796 KB  -  Available: 5,922,060 KB

I 15:22:04 Initialising SPTI...

I 15:22:04 Searching for SCSI / ATAPI devices...

I 15:22:04 -> Drive 1 - Info: TSSTcorp CDDVDW SH-S223Q SB00 (H:) (SATA)

I 15:22:04 Found 1 DVD±RW/RAM!

I 15:22:25 Operation Started!

I 15:22:25 Source File: V:\BACKUP 2\PS2\Soulcalibur 3\Soul Calibur 3.ISO

I 15:22:25 Source File Sectors: 2,142,976 (MODE1/2048)

I 15:22:25 Source File Size: 4,388,814,848 bytes

I 15:22:25 Source File Volume Identifier: DVDVIDEO

I 15:22:25 Source File Volume Set Identifier: 3814=3?2SCEI

I 15:22:25 Source File Application Identifier: PLAYSTATION

I 15:22:25 Source File Implementation Identifier: DVD-ROM GENERATOR

I 15:22:25 Source File File System(s): ISO9660, UDF (1.02)

I 15:22:25 Destination Device: [7:0:0] TSSTcorp CDDVDW SH-S223Q SB00 (H:) (SATA)

I 15:22:25 Destination Media Type: DVD-R (Disc ID: MCC 03RG20)

I 15:22:25 Destination Media Supported Write Speeds: 4x, 6x, 8x, 12x, 16x, 18x

I 15:22:25 Destination Media Sectors: 2,298,496

I 15:22:25 Write Mode: DVD

I 15:22:25 Write Type: DAO

I 15:22:25 Write Speed: 8x

I 15:22:25 Link Size: Auto

I 15:22:25 Lock Volume: Yes

I 15:22:25 Test Mode: No

I 15:22:25 OPC: No

I 15:22:25 BURN-Proof: Enabled

I 15:22:25 Write Speed Successfully Set! - Effective: 11,080 KB/s (8x)

I 15:22:25 Filling Buffer... (80 MB)

I 15:22:26 Writing LeadIn...

I 15:23:04 Writing Session 1 of 1... (1 Track, LBA: 0 - 2142975)

I 15:23:04 Writing Track 1 of 1... (MODE1/2048, LBA: 0 - 2142975)

I 15:36:12 Synchronising Cache...

I 15:36:34 Exporting Graph Data...

I 15:36:35 Graph Data File: C:\Users\Matt\AppData\Roaming\ImgBurn\Graph Data Files\TSSTcorp_CDDVDW_SH-S223Q_SB00_31-JANUARY-2013_3-22_PM_MCC_03RG20_8x.ibg

I 15:36:35 Export Successfully Completed!

I 15:36:35 Operation Successfully Completed! - Duration: 00:14:09

I 15:36:35 Average Write Rate: 5,439 KB/s (3.9x) - Maximum Write Rate: 8,352 KB/s (6.0x)

 

Edited January 31, 2013 by shinypaper

[LIGHTNING UK!]

Install the current firmware release and try again. If it still doesn't work, upload the graph data file please.

 

http://www.firmwarehq.com/Samsung/SH-S223Q/files.html

[shinypaper]

Thanks for that firmware link, I looked for the latest firmware and only came up with this: http://www.samsung.com/us/support/owners/product/SH-S223Q

 

Because this is the manufacturers site I assumed this was the latest firmware.

 

Are you sure I can trust the firmware from a non-manufacturer site?

[LIGHTNING UK!]

Yes, you can trust it. The files on that site came from the manufacturer's website. They often have several and some show newer versions than others - the one you linked to is rubbish/out of date.

 

Here it is on a Samsung website if that makes you happier

 

http://www.samsungodd.com/eng/Firmware/FWDownload/fwdownload.asp?functionvalue=view&no=593&parent_idx=&level_idx=&model=SH-S223Q&product=HDW

[shinypaper]

Ok thanks! Just being careful, didn't want to sound critical.

 

Well, I tried again with the new firmware and a different image (would that make a difference?) and the results were the same. One thing I've noticed though is that it seems to scale to the speed I select; if I burn at 12x, the average write rate becomes 8x. Very odd.

 

Here's the log of the second try:

 

 

 

I 16:22:00 ImgBurn Version 2.5.7.0 started!

I 16:22:00 Microsoft Windows 7 Ultimate x64 Edition (6.1, Build 7601 : Service Pack 1)

I 16:22:00 Total Physical Memory: 8,387,796 KB  -  Available: 6,375,956 KB

I 16:22:00 Initialising SPTI...

I 16:22:00 Searching for SCSI / ATAPI devices...

I 16:22:01 -> Drive 1 - Info: TSSTcorp CDDVDW SH-S223Q SB03 (F:) (SATA)

I 16:22:01 Found 1 DVD±RW/RAM!

I 16:22:36 Operation Started!

I 16:22:36 Source File: V:\BACKUP 2\PS2\Tekken 4\Tekken 4.mds

I 16:22:36 Source File Sectors: 1,317,552 (MODE1/2048)

I 16:22:36 Source File Size: 2,698,346,496 bytes

I 16:22:36 Source File Volume Identifier: DVDVIDEO

I 16:22:36 Source File Volume Set Identifier: 810;60=2SCEI

I 16:22:36 Source File Application Identifier: PLAYSTATION

I 16:22:36 Source File Implementation Identifier: DVD-ROM GENERATOR

I 16:22:36 Source File File System(s): ISO9660, UDF (1.02)

I 16:22:36 Destination Device: [7:0:0] TSSTcorp CDDVDW SH-S223Q SB03 (F:) (SATA)

I 16:22:36 Destination Media Type: DVD-R (Disc ID: MCC 03RG20)

I 16:22:36 Destination Media Supported Write Speeds: 4x, 6x, 8x, 12x, 16x, 18x

I 16:22:36 Destination Media Sectors: 2,297,888

I 16:22:36 Write Mode: DVD

I 16:22:36 Write Type: DAO

I 16:22:36 Write Speed: 8x

I 16:22:36 Link Size: Auto

I 16:22:36 Lock Volume: Yes

I 16:22:36 Test Mode: No

I 16:22:36 OPC: No

I 16:22:36 BURN-Proof: Enabled

I 16:22:36 Write Speed Successfully Set! - Effective: 11,080 KB/s (8x)

I 16:22:36 Filling Buffer... (80 MB)

I 16:22:37 Writing LeadIn...

I 16:23:14 Writing Session 1 of 1... (1 Track, LBA: 0 - 1317551)

I 16:23:14 Writing Track 1 of 1... (MODE1/2048, LBA: 0 - 1317551)

I 16:31:30 Synchronising Cache...

I 16:31:52 Exporting Graph Data...

I 16:31:52 Graph Data File: C:\Users\Matt\AppData\Roaming\ImgBurn\Graph Data Files\TSSTcorp_CDDVDW_SH-S223Q_SB03_31-JANUARY-2013_4-22_PM_MCC_03RG20_8x.ibg

I 16:31:52 Export Successfully Completed!

I 16:31:52 Operation Successfully Completed! - Duration: 00:09:16

I 16:31:52 Average Write Rate: 5,323 KB/s (3.8x) - Maximum Write Rate: 8,349 KB/s (6.0x)

Edited January 31, 2013 by shinypaper

[LIGHTNING UK!]

You can't really look at the write speed properly unless you burn a full disc.

 

Enable 'Test Mode' so you don't actually burn the media and do a few full burns using 'Discovery' mode.

 

It'll normally only reach your selected speed at the very end of the disc.

[shinypaper]

Done, here you go.
 
 
I 19:44:34 ImgBurn Version 2.5.7.0 started!
I 19:44:34 Microsoft Windows 7 Ultimate x64 Edition (6.1, Build 7601 : Service Pack 1)
I 19:44:34 Total Physical Memory: 8,387,796 KB  -  Available: 6,428,620 KB
I 19:44:34 Initialising SPTI...
I 19:44:34 Searching for SCSI / ATAPI devices...
I 19:44:34 -> Drive 1 - Info: TSSTcorp CDDVDW SH-S223Q SB03 (F:) (SATA)
I 19:44:34 Found 1 DVD±RW/RAM!
I 19:46:18 Operation Started!
I 19:46:18 Source File: -==/\/[DISCOVERY IMAGE]\/\==-
I 19:46:18 Source File Sectors: 2,298,496 (MODE1/2048)
I 19:46:18 Source File Size: 4,707,319,808 bytes
I 19:46:18 Source File Volume Identifier: IMGBURN_DISCOVERY_IMAGE
I 19:46:18 Source File Volume Set Identifier: 2298496_SECTORS
I 19:46:18 Source File Application Identifier: IMGBURN V2.5.7.0 - THE ULTIMATE IMAGE BURNER!
I 19:46:18 Source File Implementation Identifier: ImgBurn v2.5.7.0
I 19:46:18 Source File File System(s): ISO9660
I 19:46:18 Destination Device: [7:0:0] TSSTcorp CDDVDW SH-S223Q SB03 (F:) (SATA)
I 19:46:18 Destination Media Type: DVD-R (Disc ID: MCC 03RG20)
I 19:46:19 Destination Media Supported Write Speeds: 4x, 6x, 8x, 12x, 16x, 18x
I 19:46:19 Destination Media Sectors: 2,298,496
I 19:46:19 Write Mode: DVD
I 19:46:19 Write Type: DAO
I 19:46:19 Write Speed: 8x
I 19:46:19 Link Size: Auto
I 19:46:19 Lock Volume: Yes
I 19:46:19 Test Mode: Yes
I 19:46:19 OPC: No
I 19:46:19 BURN-Proof: Enabled
I 19:46:19 Write Speed Successfully Set! - Effective: 11,080 KB/s (8x)
I 19:46:19 Filling Buffer... (80 MB)
I 19:46:19 Writing LeadIn...
I 19:46:45 Writing Session 1 of 1... (1 Track, LBA: 0 - 2298495)
I 19:46:45 Writing Track 1 of 1... (MODE1/2048, LBA: 0 - 2298495)
I 19:56:27 Synchronising Cache...
I 19:56:52 Cycling Tray after Test Write...
I 19:56:57 Exporting Graph Data...
I 19:56:57 Graph Data File: C:\Users\Matt\AppData\Roaming\ImgBurn\Graph Data Files\TSSTcorp_CDDVDW_SH-S223Q_SB03_31-JANUARY-2013_7-46_PM_MCC_03RG20_8x.ibg
I 19:56:57 Export Successfully Completed!
I 19:56:57 Operation Successfully Completed! - Duration: 00:10:37
I 19:56:57 Average Write Rate: 7,898 KB/s (5.7x) - Maximum Write Rate: 11,133 KB/s (8.0x)

 

The graph file for this burn is available for your reference here.

[LIGHTNING UK!]

That looked ok until the speed dropped off.

 

Without scanning the discs (Disc Quality / PIPO scan), it's hard to say why it might be doing that. It's the kind of thing you'd expect a drive to do on low quality media that it's burning too quickly... not on decent stuff it's only burning at 8x.

 

Maybe the drive has developed a fault if this is also happening on other discs?

[shinypaper]

Hey guess what - I swapped the drive for the one in my media center (which doesn't see much dvd use anyway) and look what happened. 

 

Graph here.

 

 

I 14:13:20 ImgBurn Version 2.5.7.0 started!

I 14:13:20 Microsoft Windows 7 Ultimate x64 Edition (6.1, Build 7601 : Service Pack 1)

I 14:13:20 Total Physical Memory: 8,387,796 KB  -  Available: 6,838,892 KB

I 14:13:20 Initialising SPTI...

I 14:13:20 Searching for SCSI / ATAPI devices...

I 14:13:20 -> Drive 1 - Info: HL-DT-ST DVDRAM GH22NS70 EX03 (F:) (SATA)

I 14:13:20 Found 1 DVD±RW/RAM!

I 14:16:08 Operation Started!

I 14:16:08 Source File: -==/\/[DISCOVERY IMAGE]\/\==-

I 14:16:08 Source File Sectors: 2,297,888 (MODE1/2048)

I 14:16:08 Source File Size: 4,706,074,624 bytes

I 14:16:08 Source File Volume Identifier: IMGBURN_DISCOVERY_IMAGE

I 14:16:08 Source File Volume Set Identifier: 2297888_SECTORS

I 14:16:08 Source File Application Identifier: IMGBURN V2.5.7.0 - THE ULTIMATE IMAGE BURNER!

I 14:16:08 Source File Implementation Identifier: ImgBurn v2.5.7.0

I 14:16:08 Source File File System(s): ISO9660

I 14:16:08 Destination Device: [7:0:0] HL-DT-ST DVDRAM GH22NS70 EX03 (F:) (SATA)

I 14:16:08 Destination Media Type: DVD-R (Disc ID: MCC 03RG20)

I 14:16:08 Destination Media Supported Write Speeds: 8x, 16x, 22x

I 14:16:08 Destination Media Sectors: 2,297,888

I 14:16:08 Write Mode: DVD

I 14:16:08 Write Type: DAO

I 14:16:08 Write Speed: 8x

I 14:16:08 Link Size: Auto

I 14:16:08 Lock Volume: Yes

I 14:16:09 Test Mode: Yes

I 14:16:09 OPC: No

I 14:16:09 BURN-Proof: Enabled

I 14:16:09 Write Speed Successfully Set! - Effective: 11,080 KB/s (8x)

I 14:16:09 Filling Buffer... (80 MB)

I 14:16:09 Writing LeadIn...

I 14:16:24 Writing Session 1 of 1... (1 Track, LBA: 0 - 2297887)

I 14:16:24 Writing Track 1 of 1... (MODE1/2048, LBA: 0 - 2297887)

I 14:23:31 Synchronising Cache...

I 14:23:43 Cycling Tray after Test Write...

I 14:24:03 Exporting Graph Data...

I 14:24:03 Graph Data File: C:\Users\Matt\AppData\Roaming\ImgBurn\Graph Data Files\HL-DT-ST_DVDRAM_GH22NS70_EX03_01-FEBRUARY-2013_2-16_PM_MCC_03RG20_8x.ibg

I 14:24:03 Export Successfully Completed!

I 14:24:03 Operation Successfully Completed! - Duration: 00:07:42

I 14:24:03 Average Write Rate: 10,762 KB/s (7.8x) - Maximum Write Rate: 11,133 KB/s (8.0x)

 

 

So I guess this confirms our initial suspicions that the drive was failing - I've had it since 2008 so yeah, it's getting on a bit. It still reads fine though so it's now in my media center.

Damn, all those wasted DVDs. Anyway it's with great pleasure I mark this thread solved.

 

Oh and thanks for your time and patience, it's greatly appreciated.