Hi.

Just got this drive (it's made by Hitachi) and have tried it out and can report that it works as expected (i.e. DVD-R DVD+R, DVD-RAM) when mounted as an IDE device.

However when mounted in a USB2 external box the DVD-RAM features are compromised. DVD-RAM doesn't work at all with a W2K machine and not as expected with a XP machine. The DVD -R and +R features in the external box seem fine though (I just burned a movie @ 4X using Ridata 4X disc). Drag to disk to a RAM disc with the XP PC is working but I'm not convinced it's being written in RAM format. Might have to experiment with this (i.e. uninstall Roxio drag-to-disc) to make sure.

Also the drive doesn't seem to be supported by DVD Architect v1. No probs though with Ulead DVD Workshop, Nero 6, EZCD6, InstantCopy 7 or 8 so far. I have a few other proggies which I haven't tried yet but these are my main ones.

So in short, if you want DVD-RAM and use it in an external box then you should try another brand (maybe Iomega?) or wait for the external model. You should also hesitate if you must use DVD Architect v1

Whenever you try to put an internal drive into an external case there is almost always some added trouble. You should also give recordnow Max a shot. Very solid burning program.

Thanks for head up fawlty, I just got this also. Recordnow max doesnt support this jester. We are too trying to figure out this ram thing, a least you got your to work. I am not completely sure on this ram thing works..Do you drag and drop or copy and paste, or burn like a dvd-r?

Fawlty,

What is DVD RAM for? Why is it so important to you when you bought it? Just wondering?

DVD-RAM is the ultimate in rewritable technology. They will support up to 100,000 rewrites. Great for backing up data. The only drawback is that they aren't nearly as compatible as the write once DVD-R or DVD+R formats in standalone DVD Players and to my knowledge DVD-RAM doesn't work in any videogame system for Videogame backups. Once they get the compatibility issues all ironed out it will be the best out of all of the formats.

another problem with dvd-ram is that they are very slow (probably due to the write verification). allegedly they write at 3x now. however, a guy over on another forum did a test at my request, using the lg4040b:

he copied 4.1gb of files (lots of small files) and it took just under 2 hours to complete the copy. i make that around 0.6x.

initially i was very interested in this drive due to the 3x dvd-ram but when i was told that a 4gb ram disk takes 110mins to copy to, it put me right off.

like was said above, dvd-ram is superior in virtually all respects, if data storage is what you are after (like me), however, the speed issue cannot be ignored. i will probably go for an NEC1300a - very cheap and the new 1.07 firmware (or herrie's hacked firmware) seem to sort out most of the problems.

I copied 4gb to a DVD-RAM disk & it was quicker than 2 hours - although I didn't time it.

For those interested I went for the DVD RAM capable burner for no particular reason other than it might be handy for important data. Bear in mind though that 100,000 rewrite claim is only for discs in a cartridge. Non-cartridge discs are no more safer than ordinary DVD-RW discs however the RAM format is more stable and reliable than ordinary packet writing. As far as I know there are no combo DVD-RAM burners that will accept a cartidge type RAM disc (& that includes the LG).

Snatcher - it's very easy to use, just like Direct CD you drag & drop data onto a DVD-RAM formatted disc. Once you load the RAM drivers you don't use a burn program, just the windows explorer interface. There will also be a program added that allows you to format blank discs and write protect/unprotect the disc.

BTW - I didn't bother installing the supplied software (B's Gold, etc) just the DVD-RAM drivers, so I can't comment on whether they are any good.

fawlty, thanks bud for the info, I understand now. I will give it a try and hope this ram copies at 3x, or as jester says wait til they perfect it. BTW, those ram discs have a neat recording surface.

Originally posted by sunama
i will probably go for an NEC1300a - very cheap and the new 1.07 firmware (or herrie's hacked firmware) seem to sort out most of the problems.

I would pick up the Pioneer 106 instead. Keep in mind it is all up in the air with what hacked firmware will do to your drive. I will be curious to know how many NECs with the hacked firmware start dying 6 months to a year down the road. And if you don't go with the hacked firmware your media options are very limited. You can pick up the 106 for $140+shipping right now so it isn't that much more. That price is available from www.avlogic.com