Hi guys,

I kind of stumbled across a beta firmware release for the 1004IM writer - including a bitsetting utility. At the moment it only supports changing bitsetting for DVD+RW and DVD-RW. No DVD+R support for the time being. If anyone is interested in trying it out, you can download it here http://users.cybercity.dk/~dsl94233/...tting_beta.zip

After trying it out, please report your experiences in this thread.

Remember that this is a beta and no support from Marco or BTC is to be expected. No new MID codes has been added to the firmware AFAIK. The firmware is basically a 0047 with bitsetting support for DVD+RW & DVD-RW.

This beta will be most usefull to anyone having a standalone DVD player, that doesn't recognize DVD+RW or DVD-RW media. It will alow you to change the bitsetting/booktype to DVD-ROM (same as DVD-VIDEO).

To use it do the following:

1) Burn a DVD-VIDEO compliant disc on DVD+RW or -RW media
2) Run the bitsetting utility and change the booktype to DVD-ROM
3) See if it gets recognized in your DVD player
4) Report your results/findings in this thread


Cheers,
Peter

Pls sent it to jbrazuna@cats.pt
Many Thanks

Works like a charm! After changing the bitsetting, my DVD player (Coby 507) can play both a RiData (came with the Micro Advantage boxed 1004) and a memorex (Philips-041) DVD+RW. Before it thought they were CD-DA and played a track of fuzz! Thanks for everything BTC and Macro, I love this drive. I hope you all can get a beta with bitsetting for DVD+R's this week because I am burning a bunch of DVD slideshows of my wedding pictures for Christmas presents, and I would love it if all my DVD's worked, regardless of the player my relatives and friends have. Thanks again!

How do you install this firmware? It doesn't have any .exe or. bat. If it installs in DOS then what is the command? Thanks

Its a little complicated because you have to flash each hex register on the DVD-RW drive. You must boot from a DOS disk with no CD-ROM/DVD-ROM/DVD-RW/CD-RW drivers installed. Then you must do the following commands:
mtkflash [x] W /A0 file0.hex
mtkflash [x] W /A1 file1.hex
mtkflash [x] W /A2 file2.hex
mtkflash [x] W /A3 file3.hex
..........and so on and so forth.

filea.hex is /A10
fileb.hex is /A11
filec.hex is /A12
.... and so on until you reach....
filef.hex is /A15

then you are done.

for [x] put 1, 2, 3 or 4 depending on where you have your drive installed

1 = primary master
2 = primary slave
3 = secondary master
4 = secondary slave

Reboot back in Windows. You can find mtkflash in a link for the topic of V047 released.

Good luck, and a warning, you can mess things up doing this, so be careful!!!! I take no responsibility for anything you do!

This functionality is available under linux in the dvd+rw-tools using dvd+rw-booktype.

Other burners support this for dvd+r, too, btw. (when used before burning), just not btc.

It's only a beta version yet PCG.
I expect DVD+R to be supported soon.

File has been updated to include Mtkflash v1.80 and batch file for updating firmware. Try downloading again.

Sorry!

Cheers,
Peter

This will require that booktype manipulation is implemented in the drives firmware. The same goes for Nero on Windows platform.

Actually very few burners support changing booktype at all - and no dual burner AFAIK. Please list dual drives that support changing booktype.


What is the purpose of your post? Since this is a beta version I guess you just do not like BTC and Windows

Cheers,
Peter

Last night I tried it on my drive and it "gone with the wind". I tried everything and still no work. So be extremely careful or else....

It will not only require firmnware support but softwrae support, too. Telling people how to use it under GNU/Linux is exactly the purpose of my post.

Yes, I do not like windows because whenever I have to use it it makes very inefficient use of my time and ressources, but that's my personal thing.

"Your message just sounds as if you didn't like GNU/Linux and don't want to let people know that they can use this new firmware feature under linux, too."

(Of course this is not what I think, the above paragraph is just to illustrate that your reply was quite a bit dumb, really. This forum is about sharing information on BTC burners and, yes, I think the above is useful information, but not for windows users. This seems to be a problem to you).

And finally, yes, I am a bit disapppointed by a company that knows that media on their own compatibility list does, in fact, not work for a long time without updating their list. That's plain irresponsible to me.

The situation for me would be entirely different if princo weren't known to be bad but listed, in which case I'd either go out and buy something else or else I'd knew it's my problem. But this is not the case.

Because you actually tried the beta firmware - and it works under Linux? If this is the case why didn't you just say so in the first place. Otherwise hold your horses.
I feel the exact same when fiddling with unix like command prompts. But hey, it's a free world. If I want to use a graphical UI under Linux I can always compile my own drivers. Saves me a great deal of time
For starters I didn't say anything bad about Linux. There is just something about your "I have to promote Linux because Windows suck and 95% of OS users are plain stupid using it" attitude that reminds me of OS2. And it's not plesant memories. Anyway, use Linux if you like but don't blame the rest of us for using Windows. Oh, I don't mind you telling us about Linux as long as it's usefull. Linux anyone?
I totally agree. Princo should have been removed from the list a long time ago.
Like I said this is complete nonsense. What burners are you referring to?

After 198 posts in this forum I was actually wondering when the first argument would be started. But now it did, and it was only your third post . Guess we haven't seen the last flames coming from your pen.

After reading your reply I don't see the dumb part in this. You obviously just admitted that you dont like Windows or BTC.

Cheers,
Peter

And I didn't say anything bad about windows in the post we talk about, for starters. Why do you spread lies like this? Does it make you feel better? Really it escapes me.

That's bullshit. I posted a very innocent message about how linux users can access this feature, and nothing else. It's all just in your twisted mind, really. Please adjust your attitude towards people who provide useful (for some) information.

If you disagree with the information, please do so. Mindless quarelling and lies should go elsewhere - preferably to your trashcan.

That "complete" nonsense is, unfortunately, fact for the majority of DVD+ burners. It's probably true that no other dual burner supports this, but I never claimed otherwise.

Again, it's just in your twisted mind that you assume I wrote something I never did.

... you actually didn't learn much. How about _reading_ people's posts first? And as a second, before replying, make sure that you reply to somethign that was actually written.

Really, it escapes me why you started this argument at all. All I did was post a few lines in which I mentioned how this feature can be accessed. You didn't like it for reasons I don't understand, but at least you could have kept your personal comments to yourself, as would I do when others post useful info.

Excuse me, I most certainly did not start this argument. Anyway, it excapes me how you managed to get so angry and why you decided to accuse me for twisting your words and making things up. But whatever, if it makes you happy, be my guest.

Now please enlighten me - and maybe some other "dumb" users

1) Did you actually install the beta firmware to backup your claims. Or is it pure speculations? Please answer this time.

2) What drives support the changing of booktype in Linux according to you. Most Ricoh based burners of the 2'nd generation (+R/+RW) have support for this in firmware, but besides Ricoh? You tell us. You must be very certain on this issue.

3) This might be a cheap shot but how many postings have you seen in this forum regarding Linux. Right then. I think most people in here have other things to worry about. For some, actually being able to burn a non coaster is much more important than getting this thing to work under different OS'es. Having said that, you are most certainly entitled to post whatever you like regarding BTC and Linux.

Now, having this off my chest: I think you got my initial posting all wrong. When suggesting that you didn't like Windows and BTC, I was kind of joking. Actually, I was just reading between the lines - but apparently I was right. So why do you decide to attack me the way you do? It really beats me. This thread is about a beta firmware (that's right, BETA), and it would be nice with some positive feedback. If you do not want to be a part of this, then feel free to post whatever the h.. you like. But please choose another thread and/or forum to complain about BTC. Saying that changing booktype for DVD+R can be accomplished by every burner besides BTC in Linux (which is still very incorrect, me being dumb or not), and that BTC sucks as a company, is not very positive and not very inspiring. Using phrases like "twisted mind", "liar" and "dumb" is not exactly to creative either. I most certainly did not use these words in my initial reply to your post. As a matter of fact, I think I was even being quite polite. Being on this forum since the very beginning (dont matter the number of postings or anything), I have not yet comed across this kind of an argument before - that is until you decided to join us. Now you do the math!

Anyway, the last thing we need in here is a classic Linux vs Windows discussion. This belongs in another thread/forum. So to make myself perfectly clear: I dont mind anybody using Linux. I dont even mind Linux. Actually I use it at work. It's great for lots of stuff, and it is extremely stable. It's even free compared to M$ Windows. But I dont want Linux on my PC, since I find Windows a lot easier to use. Now, if that's OK with you, I suggest we forget about this "incident" and move on.

Cheers,
Peter

I have to admit I havent tried using this burner in linux yet, but I will when I've finished installing Gentoo.
(Ive only had the burner for just over a week)

Pdu, can you sort out the link to the beta at the top of the post please. ( the updated one with the Mtkflash v1.80 ).

Ta.

So far no problems with dvd+r media ( RITEK R02) playing on my other halfs' limit 8072 dvd player.

According to dvdrhelp it's compatible with DVD+RW but I cant get the media (RICOHJPNW01)that came with the BTC to work in her player.

After many try and fail I finally got my drive to work again. whew...... Hopefully there is a .bat so I don't have to type every single line that may cause me to mess up again.

I had no problem flashing bitsetting beta version on my BTC1004.
I then burned a DVD-VIDEO with Nero 6.0.0.23 on one DVD+RW and one a DVD-RW.
After that I runned BTC bitsetting utility, and changed both DVDs to DVD-ROM.(again, no problem here)

Now come comes the surprise (to me).

DVDinfoPro continues to report that both DVDs have not DVD-ROM bitsetting.
Nero info reports the same.
Only BTC bitsetting utility reports that the DVDs have now the DVD-ROM bitsetting. (please check DVDinfoPro report below)

I tryed the DVDs on my 2 DVD VIDEO players, and they continue to not recognise the changed DVDs.
The older DVD player does play any of the 2 DVDs.
The new DVD player does not play the DVD-RW, but plays the DVD+RW (as already did before with previous firmware, because it had never had any problem in playing DVD+RW or DVD-R)

Please, does anyone has an explanation to why DVDinfoPRO or NERO, do not report the new bitsetting on the disks?
Many Thanks in advance.







PRIMEDISK DVD-RW 4.7GB
Media Information
Disc Regions are 1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8
Media code/Manufacturer ID RITEKW01
Format Type UDF 1.02
Volume Name LASTEXILE
Application id
Implementation id AHEAD Nero
Recording Date/Time (mm/dd/yyyy) 12/16/2003 23:08:55
Format Capacity 4.37GB(4.69GB)
Book Type DVD-RW
Media Type DVD-RW
Media Id Code Speed 2.0x 2770KBps
Available Write Descriptor CLV 2.0x 2770KBps
Available Write Descriptor CLV 1.0x 1385KBps
Write Strategy Speed 2.0x 2770KBps
Data area starting sector 30000h
Data area end sector 22F3CFh
Linear Density 0.267um/bit
Track Density 0.74um/track
Number of Layers 1



RIDATA
Media Information
Disc Regions are 1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8
Media code/Manufacturer ID RICOHJPNW01
Format Type UDF 1.02
Volume Name LASTEXILE
Application id
Implementation id AHEAD Nero
Recording Date/Time (mm/dd/yyyy) 12/16/2003 22:02:04
Format Capacity 4.38GB(4.70GB)
Book Type DVD+RW
Media Type DVD+RW
Media Id Code Speed Unknown
Available Write Descriptor CLV 2.0x 2770KBps
Available Write Descriptor CLV 1.0x 1385KBps
BG Format Status Suspended
Data area starting sector 30000h
Data area end sector 23053Fh
Linear Density 0.267um/bit
Track Density 0.74um/track
Number of Layers 1

Fixed. It was a case problem with the filename. File was named Bitsetting_beta.zip, not bitsetting_beta.zip

Cheers,
Peter

I don't know what to say TheFlash, that is weird. I noticed that in the BTC 1004 drive, all programs (except the bitsetter) said that it was still a DVD+RW. My other DVD-ROM drive said it was a DVD-Video disc. But, this should be good because otherwise Nero wouldn't burn to it because it would think it is a DVD-Video disc. But, this doesn't seem like your problem because it still doesn't work on you DVD Player. You might want to make sure you installed the firmware right. It should be version 47t1, not 47. Try reinstalling the firmware. Also, make sure you do the bitsetting after the burn. I changed my bitsetting, and then burned something different on the drive twice. One of two times nero changed the bitsetting back to DVD+RW. Other than that, I don't know what to say! Good luck!

Does anyone have any idea when the beta version of the DVD+R bitsetting firmware will be released? I really need this (I had to put all my Christmas gifts on hold for my relatives because compatibility is terrible without bitsetting). I really don't think I understood how important bitsetting is when I bought my DVD+RW, otherwise I would have bought a first gen RICOH drive -- speed doesn't matter when your discs won't work on your friends and families machines! If I can't get this soon, I am going to have to buy a lite-on drive, as they now have this for DVD+R, and I hate to do that.

ok i've tried this beta soft and must say it doesn't work for me! i flashed the drive to firm. 47t1 and run the utility. after pressing the change button the drive "wrote" something and the booktype was recognised as DVD-ROM (former DVD+RW) looked very promising to me, so i checked the disc with DVDInfoPro and it said that the booktype was still DVD+RW, nevertheless i tried the disc in my Samsung DVD-M205 (which is not able to read DVD+RW as DVD+RW but only as booktype DVD-ROM) and it could not read the modified disc! is it possible now to flash the drive back with the 0047 firmware or do i have to wait for 0048 (or later) ???

Bad news! It sounds like the firmware DID work for you...which means your DVD player can't play these discs even with bitsetting. On the BTC 1004, it should still say DVD+RW with DVDInfoPro, on all other DVD-ROM drives it will show DVD-Video. I assume this was done so burning programs wouldn't tell you that you can't write to a DVD-Video disc. Don't bother downgrading the firmware, this firmware should work fine in all other respects.

G'day

Firstly, thanks for the beta.
I have a slightly older DVD player and the manual states it can't play DVD-R, DVD-RW, DVD+RW and various others. It can play DVD+R discs but i can't see the point of using them over re-writable discs.
I flashed the drive with the beta and it rebooted without a hassle. I then burnt a clip off which i had taken from a DVD and then re-burnt back to a DVD+RW. I then changed the book-type and tried it in my player. It does play but its like watching a scratched dvd at times. Quite a bit of interference.

Anyone have any ideas?

Check your kprobe scan. I know I get much worse kprobe scans from my DVD+RW than from my DVD+R, so it is probably the media. I have a RiData 2.4 DVD+RW that came with the drive (MicroAdvantage) that seems to get much better results. I would try different media. Good luck!

Thats the media i tried it with.