Defrag before burning?

[Wryter]

I've run into a problem with some of my opera and musical performance DVDs. After copying the discs to my hard drive, I note that there seem to be files Everywhere! It wouldn't bother me, except that I've been having momentary "freeze" spots in the discs I burn with ImgBurn.

The verify doesn't catch any problems, and yes, I ONLY use Verbatim discs, either single or double layer, depending on program length.

A friend suggested defragging the hard drive before burning the discs, and I guess it might make sense - though taking a long time. Each performance leaves at least 125 fragmented files on the drive.

Any thoughts? IF defragging makes the burn more accurate - without "freeze" points - I'm all for taking the extra time.

Respectfully, LarryR

[LIGHTNING UK!]

Unless you're running into buffer problems (i.e. where they're not at 100%), defragging isn't going to make any difference.

 

Defragging just speeds up the rate at which data can be read from and written to the hdd.

 

If your disc are freezing at certain points then your drive probably isn't doing a very good job at burning them.

 

Slow the speed down to 8x and make sure the firmware on the drive is up-to-date.

[Wryter]

Thanks for the reply! First, I'm burning the double layer at 2.4 speed, and the single layer at 4x speed - so I doubt that my speed is an issue?

 

Second - I DO have buffer problems I guess. The device buffer usually stays at 96% - but irregularly dips down to about 10 %, then slowly returns to 96% - it NEVER gets all the way up to 100% - so, me thinks that my DVD drive is at issue here?

I recently bought what I believed to be an "upgrade" unit - NEC6650A - to replace the original Sony unit which had been giving me all sorts of headaches. Hmm. . .now I wonder if there's a problem with THIS unit, as well?

I wondered about the "bouncing buffer" - and guess that may be my problem.

Will contact the supplier with some questions.

Respectfully, LarryR

[LIGHTNING UK!]

Slow speeds can be as bad as fast speeds, it all depends on the drive/firmware/media combo.

 

The device buffer is ok to drop down lower, not all drives stick at 100% dead and the dips to 10% or whatever are probably just WOPC kicking in to examine burn quality and adjust the laser.

 

It's the other buffer that shows if the program is able to read quickly enough from your hdd - and that's where defragging would come in.

 

With Verbatim MKM-001-00 dye DL discs (made in Singapore) and a decent drive/firmware, you shouldn't have any problems burning.

For the SL stuff I prefer Verb DVD+R's to their DVD-R's. I go with Taiyo Yuden for DVD-R.

[Wryter]

Again, Sir - thank you for your quick and informative reply.

 

Worrying (something I do very well) about this problem, I called a friend - who happened to have a new Sony-NEC Optiarc 7530B drive that he'd just swapped out in his (new) computer. He brought it over, we installed it, and did a test-burn. Perfect! This drive is smoother, obviously faster, and obviously more accurate. The device buffer stayed at 100% - and at the moment I'm thoroughly enjoying Sir Gardiner and his Monteverdi Choir performing some Bach cantatas from your fair country. Beautiful!

 

I think the player was the problem - and I'm going to try to get some resolution from the seller, who is one of those eBay "power sellers." Wish me luck! Those guys are often "gray" sellers.

Respectfully, LarryR