PC Spec required for DVD writer?

[Deft]

I am continuously toying with the idea of getting a DVD-Writer, but am a bit concerned about what are the key bottlenecks with regards speed of writing?
My 40X LiteON CD-RW can write at about 19X max without any buffer under-runs. I realise the underun protection 'deals' with this but i'd rather a smooth continuous burn as i expect there would be hiccups with stop-start buffered writing.

So by my calculations i would probably be only be able to get upto just under 3X on a DVD-Writer.
Is this how it will work in reality or do other things come into play.

I have a P4 1.8Ghz CPU, 256mb 133Mhz SDRAM, 40Gig hard-drive (7200rpm i think). I can try and find out any other info if it will help diagnosis - though i don't know a lot of the hardcore specs.

Ideally i'd like to write at 4X as 15mins seems a reasonable time for a full DVD.
Will this be possible or am i better off waiting until i get a new PC sometime in the future (whenever that may be).

 

[bionic]

To me your system seems more than adecuate to handle dvd burning @4x.
Just wondering is dma on on your liteon. Seems kinda strange that 19x is max speed without underruns. On my (old and retired) pc (athlon 1.33, seagate 5 hdd, 256mb 133mhz ram and an liteon 48125w) i could burn at x48 with no probs what so ever.

 

[The-poacher]

Yep U should be OK but as above I would sort out the burn speed of the Liteon <> definitely something wrong there

& its best to use win2000 or XP & NTFS for DVD sh*te

 

[Deft]

Yeah........

Running Xp Home, NTFS File System.
In Device Manager all IDE channels are set as DMA if available.
?

If it has any bearing, i just did a Nero Cd-speed check on a Cd-r i burnt at 16X.
Average read rate from my Liteon DVD drive was 24.55 (4.17 start and 33.36 finish). So this shows i should be able to transfer more than 19X i suppose?

Yep U should be OK but as above I would sort out the burn speed of the Liteon <> definitely something wrong there

& its best to use win2000 or XP & NTFS for DVD sh*te

 

[LTR12101B]

See if Nero Info tool confirms DMA mode, and try to avoid putting the writer on the same IDE as the source.

The HD should not be excessively fragmented, as that can degrade throughput - so defragment if it hasn't been done for a while. Interactions with some Antivir programs has also been noted, try turning off "resident" or "on-access" protection while burning ... it alway used to be the advice before Burnproof.

 

[Deft]

Some more info........

Nero Info Tool confirms DMA 'on' for all devices.

Also:
IDE Primary
Master: Hard disc drive (5400rpm)
Slave: Liteon DVD-ROM LTD16

IDE Secondary
Master: Liteon LTR-40125S
Slave: None

So is it the hard drive slowing things down or is that still sufficient for higher than 19X?
Everything in Setup seems to be set to AUTO with regards the IDE devices.

Still concerned that if i splash for a nice Pioneer 106 it'll not be able to get upto full speed.
Thanks

 

[Duracell]

first defragment your HDD and disable your Antivirus; if the result is still the same, i would try this setup alternative (but this setup does not allow "on the fly" copies):

IDE Primary
via 80-wire cable
Master: Hard disc drive (5400rpm)
Slave:

IDE Secondary
via 40-wire cable
Master: Liteon LTR-40125S
Slave: Liteon DVD-ROM LTD16

go sure you install the latest IDE controller driver for your motherboard (often included in the chipset driver chipset packet); enable DMA for all devices;
if this does not help, install Windows' generic IDE busmaster driver and enable DMA for all devices;


Greetings from
Duracell