Sony has released software called Drive Speed Selector (or DSS). For all of us who have been limited to 2x ripping, you can now select three different modes for your DRU-510A to operate in: Silent, Automatic, and Overdrive.

Click here and go towards the bottom of the page to download the software. You have to fill out a survey first. According to the PDF that comes with the software, Overdrive mode allows for 12x ripping on single layer DVD-ROMs and 8x ripping on dual-layered DVD-ROMs. Compare this to silent mode (2x ripping on both) and automatic mode (2x rip on dual layer and 12x on single layer).

Now, I haven't tested this software out yet because you're not supposed to change modes while reading or writing discs (duh!) and I happened to be ripping a dual-layer DVD when I found out about this software (and I'm STILL ripping). I'll be sure to switch modes when I'm done, and let you know my findings! If this works the way it claims, I'll be one happy customer!

Incidentally, AnyDVD will be of more value to myself as well. Anyone who had been following this thread will understand why. People, if you have a DRU-510A, please report your findings!

VCDmonger

Ok, had some time for some testing, so below are my initial results:

Before installing DSS 1.0.1, I tested out ripping Monsters, Inc. with DVDDecrypter 3.1.6.0 in file mode, with all files selected (for a total of 7.82GB).


I should have gotten a screenshot of the log, showing the average read rate and maximum read rate, but I think the average was like 2.0x, max being 2.1x. The total time was 50:39.

I then installed DSS 1.0.1. It starts off in Automatic mode:


So I changed it to Overdrive, which took less than a second:


It added a handy system tray icon with more functionality:


When I ran DVDDecrypter 3.1.6.0, the results were instantaneous. The DVD started ripping at 3.5x, then gradually moved to around 6.4x (towards the middle of the DVD), then wound down to 4x:


As you can see, it took only 18:28, with an average read rate of 5.5x and a max of 8.1x. Excellent results! My only gripe is that the software seems a little buggy, causing sluggishness in my system (which clears up once I exit the program), but hey, it's only version 1.0.1! I'm just glad that I don't have to wait 45-50 minutes to rip a DVD anymore. Having a portable system limits me to one 5.25 inch drive, so I can't add a faster drive unless it's external, which would defeat the purpose of portability. Finally, a yay for Sony!

VCDmonger

I thought I'd throw in an update. I found a single-layer DVD (The Transporter) and tossed it in to see what kind of performance increase I'd get. Although some have reported ripping speeds higher than 2x on a DRU-510A with a single-layer disc, I never have. Below is a screenshot from DVDDecrypter:



As you can see, the average ripping speed was 8.1x, and it maxed out at 12.2x. This is by far the best performance I've ever gotten on this drive. As I said before, it was limited to 2x (sometimes 2.1x).

By the way, the "Overdrive" mode does not make the drive any louder in my opinion. I can't even notice a slight difference. I don't know why Sony doesn't just ship every drive in overdrive mode... hmmmm...

VCDmonger

Great find, and nice post/reporting!
"I don't know why Sony doesn't just ship every drive in overdrive mode... hmmmm... "
I believe that 2x-limitations from manufacturer's was a nod to the anti-piracy pirates (although there may have been scant concern re: layer-break 'at speed', and noise and/or burner-damage with imperfect disks).
I'm glad to see the industry is 'standing up' for their customers more, and less for the MPAA...Sony in particular needed a boost with Pioneer on their heel's (Pioneer may follow now with an 'official' 12x-rip FW--the hacked one has been out for months).

Damn I wish this tool worked on the 500AX!

They can only be sending a few additional commands to the drive or something to make it speed up. There is no reason I couldnt do exactly the same thing within DVD Decrypter and save you lot from having to install an additional piece of software.

Anyone fancy doing a little bit of bus sniffing for me, giving me the results?! I dont have a 510 drive

http://forum.firmware-flash.com/ and it's dvd-r/ram/+rw forum, is good reading on the general topic, and likely will be among the first places providing details for Sony exploits...
But, from my read regards the 12x hacked-firmware for the Pioneer 105, I doubt you can incorporate such a 'feature' into DVDD easily (at least not for multiple-models...). Just my take.
BTW, since you are here anyhoo, what's up with DVDD 3.1.6.0 and D2O? Many still report 'issues' with use of the newer version(s), which _apparently_ often become 'fixed' when reverting to 3.1.4.0. Can you confirm/deny these?
Either way, would you mind once again offering a link on your site for the older 3.1.4.0, so that folks can easily try such a 'fix' for themselves without having to search all over RU/etc. and obscure sites for a download?
pretty-please...!

The pioneer hack is to do with firmware. This quite clearly isnt.

I've never had a problem with 3.1.6.0 and DVD2One so im not in a position to say anything.

I dont and cant support 3.1.4.0 because it has other problems. You know how it is.... fix one thing, break another!

3.1.7.0 will be out soon and if that doesnt fix the d2O issues, nothing will!

Does this in any way work for the 500A. It would be nice to do the same for the 500A.

Thanks.
Kizer

"I dont and cant support 3.1.4.0 because it has other problems. "

What 'problems'? I never had, or even heard, of any 3.1.4.0-related issues or problems. OTOH, I must have read of several dozen folks who corrected varied problems related to newer by going back to 3.1.4.0.
Could you PLEASE link to it for download on your site. It would be easy to include a caution as to it being a problem for some rare instances...

I have downloaded the software. I have the DRU-510A, I am running into this problem. How do I know what packet writing software is, it says that I will need to remove this software form my computer before I use DSS. Can someone help???

kizer8:

No, this software does not work for the DRU-500A/X drives. Sony has not released this software for the drives in question, although it is possible that they might in the near future. Keep in mind that it might not be possible for them to do this because of a hardware limitation. Also keep in mind that someone might be able to hack this software to make it compatible with the DRU-500A/X drives, but you'd probably be voiding your warranty by using it.

Car24fan:

Packet Writing software allows your operating system to treat an empty DVD±R/W or CD-R/W as a blank disc. In essence, you can then pop in an unused disc and drag files into it in Windows or whatever your OS is. Packet Writing software often conflicts with other software, which is why they request that you uninstall before continuing. The packet writing software that comes with the DRU-510A is called Veritas DLA: Drive Letter Recording Software. If you have installed this, it is what you must remove before using DSS. Let us know how it goes for you.

VCDmonger

Loggy, read the changelog between 3.1.4.0 and the newer versions. You'll see that 3.1.4.0 had major problems with liteon drives, ifo parsing bugs etc etc.

http://www.dvddecrypter.com/changelog.asp

3.1.5.0 was a major re-write. In theory, all of the problems that 'might' exist in 3.1.5.0 and 3.1.6.0 should be fixed in 3.1.7.0.

VCDMONGER:

I didn't install any software with my Drive. I got the drive OEM, it came with a CD but I install nothing on that CD. Is there a place that I can look for this to uninstall it or what. Thanks for your assistance.

thanks.

Thanks for the information VCDmonger. I've posted it on our mainpage.

If u turns it of you still can have the same performance, or u have to live running on the background?

G@M3FR3@K:

Thanks for posting the info!

Car24fan:

If you didn't install packet-writing software, then it shouldn't be giving you a problem. Do you have EZCD Creator installed? I think it comes with packet-writing software if I'm not mistaken. Also, maybe you could go through your list in the Add/Remove Programs control panel to see if there's something you don't recognize.

MATA7:

You do not have to keep the program running. There is an option for you to set the drive to whichever setting you want until you change it again. That way, you never have to run the program!

VCDmonger

I dont ahve any thing that look out of the norm. I dont ahve EX Creator installed, I have Nero Burning