16X writer (Ricoh) only allows writing at 12X max.. (?)

[TiredRob]

Hi,

I just bought a Ricoh RP16/10A-SK CDRW package, bundled with Nero 5.5, but I'm having some problems you may be able to help me with..

Although the drive is supposed to be able to write at 16X speed, this is unavailable to me. Nero only allows me to select up to 12X write speed. I am using 16X capable discs (Creation brand), and I have the drive connected as my secondary master drive, with my source CD connected as my primary slave.

Any ideas on what is wrong please ?

TIA

Rob.

[TiredRob]

Oiks, I'm talking to myself! ;)

As a little update, I tried running Nero up with no disk in the drive, and it appeared to be prepared to let me select 16X...

Does this mean it maybe just doesn't recognise the actual cd media as being 16X capable ? I've ordered some new cd's (Memorex) but they'll take a few days to arrive, so I won't be able to 'test' this theory for a while yet.

Fingers crossed

Rob.

[Charlie]

I suspect you've not had a reply because no-one knows. Nero documentation isn't forthcoming on the point as to how it calculates read/write speed if you are copying on the fly. I also suspect that most people don't burn faster than 8x so they don't consider the problem at all.

I've tried with unranded media and the 16x shows fine.

[Charlie]

Well, I've been into it a bit more and wondered if the burner was reading the ATIP information on your CD-R and adjusting the speed reported to Nero according to what it finds either in the ATIP entry or by performing a pre-burn test. Ricoh very kindly address this point at this URL:
####://www.ricohpmmc.com/e_europe/drive/mp7163a/index.html

I think that's what's happened.

[TiredRob]

Aah, thanks for that Charlie,

Looks like you hit the nail on the head. I hadn't realised it, but it appears that the drive itself is being 'clever' in order to prevent failed disc writes at a speed they cannot sustain reliably (if I'm reading it right). It'll be interesting to see what happens with the new Maxell discs I have on order..

Thanks for taking the time to look into it for me :)

Rob.