HL-DT-ST DVD+-RW GSA-H31N DVD-R Write Quality Report

Question

I received an Optiplex 745 Desktop with a GSA-H31N DVD drive (B110 firmware) and have discovered that when it writes DVD-R discs (and I've tried many brands) faster than 8x, the error rate (PI/PIF) is exceeding what most stand-alone DVD players can tolerate.   The disc quality test in Nero's CD-DVD Speed program (free and downloadable here: http://www.cdspeed2000.com/) supports my observations 100%.  For example, using the Optiplex and Verbatim DVD-Rs (the most reliable DVD-R brand I've found for this drive), I create a video DVD with Adobe Premiere Elements 3, and make a copy of that DVD with Roxio Creator DE (the bundled software from Dell).  The summary from CD-DVD Speed: Quality score of the original = 93/100, Quality score of the copy = 0/100.  While the original plays on all my players, the copy jumps and sputters in the good players and isn't even recognized in the cheapos.   What caused this difference?   The programs?  No.  This and other tests I've run in Linux indicate that it's the write speed, and Adobe Premiere Elements doesn't write at full speed.   As far as I can tell, Roxio Creator DE doesn't allow you to throttle down the write speed, so I suspect I'll have to use 8x DVD-Rs to get good copies from Roxio on my Optiplex.  I just ordered a cake box of them today and I'll report back how they fared next week.   At this point, I wouldn't mind a replacement (hopefully a completely different model) or, secondarily, a firmware update that limits write speed to 8x.  The DVD format is designed so the surface can take a lot of abuse and still be read.  Had I not done this research myself, I may have never known just how close to the abyss my data and family memories were.

Predator · Answer

Hi NineEyes,I believe one can still download Nero and use as a trail (Do not install Nero`s InCD) for a limited time. If possible see if Nero will allow you to adjust the write speed. If so, the issue may be related to the Roxio version Dell ships instead of the drive, just a thought...Best Regards God, grant me the senility to forget the people I never liked anyway,the good fortune to run into the ones I doand the eyesight to tell the difference. CD/RW Link

azbruno · Answer

What happens if you write DVD+R discs? I recall that was the recommendation.

NineEyes · Answer

@azbruno wrote: What happens if you write DVD+R discs? I recall that was the recommendation. The defacto standard media for home made video DVDs is DVD-R, so I'd like to stay focused on that.

azbruno · Answer

@NineEyes wrote:

@azbruno wrote:
What happens if you write DVD+R discs? I recall that was the recommendation.

The defacto standard media for home made video DVDs is DVD-R, so I'd like to stay focused on that.

I understand. When I got my XPS 410 with that same drive, there was a small footnote on the tech specs page saying... Discs burned with this drive may not be compatible with some existing drives and players; using DVD+R media provides maximum compatibility.

NineEyes · Answer

azbruno wrote   'using DVD+R media provides maximum compatibility.' Really?  DVD-R has been around longer than DVD+R so DVD-R plays in more standalone players.  Perhaps what they mean here is the XPS410 drive does a better job with DVD+R than DVD-R?   For fun I ran a test copying my original (from my first post) to a Verbatim Lightscribe 16x DVD+R.  Sampling the playback in my various players indicated it was the worse copy yet.  CD Speed Disc Quality analysis quantified my observations:   Original written to Verbatim 16x DVD-R with Adobe Premiere Elements (probably 2-4x)   PI Errors     Maximum: 11     Average: 1.53     Total: 26226   PI failures     Maximum: 3     Average: 0.01     Total: 2059   Quality Score: 93   Copy, written to Verbatim 16x DVD-R with Roxio Creator DE (up to 16x)   PI Errors     Maximum: 1044     Average: 128.31     Total: 2202901   PI failures     Maximum: 32     Average: 0.65     Total: 82285   Quality Score: 0   Copy, written to Verbatim 16x Lightscribe DVD+R with Roxio Creator DE (up to 16x)   PI Errors     Maximum: 1456     Average: 536.62     Total: 9212747   PI failures     Maximum: 195     Average: 23.04     Total: 3164192   Quality Score: 0   I wish I could post the graphs (without the hassle of finding another host).  The difference between the original and the copies is stunning.

NineEyes · Answer

After more headbanging, I purchased an external DVD drive, and hooked it up to my Optiplex and never looked back.  Everything burned with it, using the same system and software, and 4 different brands/media came out great.  We're talking a Quality Score of 95 every time folks!   At the same time, I bought a replacement internal drive after reading a quality review at cdrlabs.com.  It just seemed easier to spend $40 and get one of the better burners money can buy, than to prove to Dell I needed a replacement.   On the other hand, I help a lot of friends and coworkers with their PCs, so I figured I should try Dell chat support for the experience.  Long story short, I chatted with Dell and a new drive (hopefully a different brand/model) is on its way.   If anyone is interested in the comparison (internal to external), you can see it here for the next month: http://drop.io/zxrwerz   I'll report back on how Dell's replacement tests out.

Storage, Drives & Media

HL-DT-ST DVD+-RW GSA-H31N DVD-R Write Quality Report

Was this post helpful?