LiteON DVD 166S can't read DVD+RW ??!!

[pat357]

Last week I bought 2 LiteON DVD's : aFter opening the box, they appear to be 166S. I want to make backups of my systems on DVD+RW using my SONY DRU 500 and my RICOH MP 5125A. Everything works well : after burning a DVD+RW I do a bit-by-bit compare to be sure the burned disk is OK. For reading the DVD's I use the SONY DRU 500, the RICOH MP5125A, LiteON DVD 163, older Creative DVD 624E and of course also the 2 brand new LiteON's DVD 166.
Problem : when doing the bit-by-bit compare all above DVD devices can read all the recorded DVD+RW's, EXEPT the 2 brand new LiteON 166 DVD's !!! I updated the firmware from DS0B to DS0F, but no avail. Also whether the disks are written with the SONY or the RICOH doesn't make any difference : with the 166S there are always unreadable files on the recorded DVD's, while the 163, the SONY, the RICOH and even the old Creative can read all files and the compares are OK.

How the heck is this possible ? I switched a 166S with the older 163 : the problem must be the 166S readers. I tried on different systems, different OS's (W2000 and XP), different burning program (Nero 5.5.9.17 and Veritas RecordMAX 4.5), different brands of DVD+RW (HP, Memorex, Philips, Sentinel, SONY) but always the same result : some files on the reorded DVD's are always unreadable using the 166S readers (both !!).

I don't think that I have just a bad unit because BOTH 166S readers have the same problem : often they read 80-90% from the DVD+RW's OK, but fail to read all files on the disk.

Anyone tried to read a DVD+RW filled with data using a 166S reader ?

As you probably already noticed, these 166S readers are useless for restoring a backup, which was and still is my intention....
What could be the problem ? I'm getting a little desperate because I'm running out of ideas on what to try next......

Greetz,

Pat357

[cfitz]

I don't have a DVD burner, so I can't report any personal experience, but the 166S is specified to read DVD+RW format discs:

http://www.jlms.com.tw/new_p_E/jlms_165X.htm

It sounds like you have already done some pretty thorough testing and still can't get satisfactory performance from your units, so maybe it is time to declare them to be defective and return them to the retailer from which you purchased them.

What are the serial numbers on your new 166S drives?

cfitz

[pat357]

experience, but the 166S is specified to read DVD+RW format discs:

http://www.jlms.com.tw/new_p_E/jlms_165X.htm

Indeed, the paper says so but, based on my experience with the 166S, I would prefer the good old LiteON DVD 163 above the new 166S anytime !!

It sounds like you have already done some pretty thorough testing and still can't get satisfactory performance from your units, so maybe it is time to declare them to be defective and return them to the retailer from which you purchased them.

What are the serial numbers on your new 166S drives?

cfitz[/quote]

Model LTD166S
Manufacture date : Okt. 2002
S/N : 267243009015

[Stereodude]

I have two 163d's and two 166s's. I tried a DVD+RW in both of the 163d's and in one of the 166s's and it read in all 3 just fine. I don't have the 2nd 166s installed in anything yet, so I can't test it.

Stereodude

[Kennyshin]

Some DVD-ROM drives can read DVD+R and DVD+RW only with the latest firmware versions.

[pat357]

Some DVD-ROM drives can read DVD+R and DVD+RW only with the latest firmware versions.

I updated the firmware of both my DVD 166S readers to version DS0F. This is the latest firmware available on their website. It doesn't solve my problems though : still the same read problems with DVD+RW.

Greetz