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Topic: LG drives bad for ripping. Firmware's fault? or Hardware? (Read 10224 times) previous topic - next topic
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LG drives bad for ripping. Firmware's fault? or Hardware?

I bought a new computer recently (HP) and two additional LG drives for ripping; one external and one internal. I have thousands of CDs to rip so I thought it was the best thing to do.
The box came with a TSSTCorp drive. So now I have 1 TSSTCorp and 2 LG (HL-ST-DVDRAM...).

I noticed after a while that the TSSTCorp one could rip all the copy-protected CDs properly, thing that the LG drives couldn't do.
Same thing for some CDs that aren't even scratched (no scratch, reflective surface OK); giving me Read Errors (Using EAC).
Whenever I would come across a problematic CD, I would use the TSSTCorp drive and everything would be OK.

So, let say I have 100 cds. 20 wouldn't rip properly with the LG drives. I would then take those 20 cds and use the TSSTCorp drive and rip probabably 19 out of 20 properly.

A few weeks ago my TSSTCorp drive wich was not even 2 months old died on me, leaving me with only LG drives. Ouch! I have 1500+ cds left to rip!

I got a replacement for my TSSTCorp drive from HP today and to my surprise, it was a damn LG drive! They said they can only ship what they have in stock. I went on the Live Support chat thingy and explained my situation to the guy.. The guy told me it wouldn't matter if I couldn't rip my copy-protected cds using the LG drive since it was illegal anyway. I told him POLITELY it wasn't, then he proceed to give me a link to the latest firmware for my drive. Ok. Updated. Now let see..... Same as it was before: LG = no good.

This leaves me wondering.. LG drives aren't as good as my TSSTCorp drive for ripping 'problematic' cds.. is it because of the Firmware or the Hardware?
I'm now stuck with 3 LG drives and tons of cds to rip. Argh.

LG drives bad for ripping. Firmware's fault? or Hardware?

Reply #1 –
It may help if you're more specific about the exact models of the drives you're currently using. Over the years, I've had drives from all imaginable manufacturers of various models and it's not always just a simple case of saying that manufacturer A is good and manufacturer B is bad.

The firmware version can make a significant difference, although it doesn't seem to have in your particular situation. It has made the difference between some of my drives not even registering that a certain type or make of media was loaded in the draw and working faultlessly with the same media, so it was a reasonable suggestion for you to update the firmware.

More details please. It may be that someone on this forum has the same drives you do and has found a satisfactory resolution, even if the use of third-party firmware proved necessary.

Cheers, Slipstreem. 

LG drives bad for ripping. Firmware's fault? or Hardware?

Reply #2 –
I used LG drives exclusively for many, MANY years without issue, and I'm only not using one now because the shop I've done all my parts shopping from for the past year or two stopped carrying them. I'm sad to hear newer units are having this kind of problem, it was never an issue for me in the past.

LG drives bad for ripping. Firmware's fault? or Hardware?

Reply #3 –
Good idea 

HL-DT-STDVD-RAM GH10L
The replacement I just received from HP. Firmware updated on that one, still no good.

HL-DT-STDVDRAM GH20NS10
Second internal one. The one I use for ripping, rips 80% of cds properly. Default firmware.

HL-DT-STDVD-RAM GSA-E60L
External one. Default firmware. Don't use that one as it cannot defeat audio cache.

TSSTcorpCDDVDW TS-H653N
The drive that died on me.


Firmware update for HL-DT-STDVD-RAM GH10L
Quote
Title: HL-DT-ST GH10L DVD-R/RW Drive Firmware Update

Version: FC0B

Description: HL-DT-ST GH10L 16X DVD(+/-)R/RW 8X (+/-)DL 12X RAM LightScribe SATA drive firmware update resolves issues with the system hanging during system boot up.

Purpose: Recommended

Category: Firmware

Operating System:
Microsoft Windows Vista Home Basic (32-bit)
Microsoft Windows Vista Home Premium (32-bit)
Microsoft Windows Vista Home Premium (64-bit)
Microsoft Windows Vista Business (32-bit)
Microsoft Windows Vista Business (64-bit)
Microsoft Windows Vista Ultimate (32-bit)
Microsoft Windows Vista Ultimate (64-bit)
Microsoft Windows Vista Starter

Language(s):
Global English

Enhancement/Fixes:
- Resolves issues with the system hanging during system boot up.
- Adds support for certain double layer DVD+R DL and DVD-R DL media.

Prerequisites:
- You must be logged on as an administrator to install this update.
- You must have a Microsoft Windows Vista operating system.
- HL-DT-ST GH10L DVD-R/RW drive.


Edit: I must add that I use the most secure options in EAC for ripping. Thought it was worth mentionning. Maybe those drives are OK with other ripping softwares. and different settings.

LG drives bad for ripping. Firmware's fault? or Hardware?

Reply #4 –
Try EAC's Test+Copy ripping in Burst mode. AFAIK it's less stressful on the drive and you can always go back to do a secure rip if there's a discrepancy in the CRCs between the test and rip passes.

LG drives bad for ripping. Firmware's fault? or Hardware?

Reply #5 –
BTW TSSTCorp = Samsung, in case anyone was wondering.  The full name is Toshiba Samsung Storage Technology, or close to that.

LG drives bad for ripping. Firmware's fault? or Hardware?

Reply #7 –
Quote from: BelleAndZEK on
...
HL-DT-STDVD-RAM GSA-E60L
External one. Default firmware. Don't use that one as it cannot defeat audio cache.


As far as I am aware, the only brand of drives out there that can be told to defeat the audio cache (and actually do it) are plextors.

-brendan

LG drives bad for ripping. Firmware's fault? or Hardware?

Reply #9 –
I have HL-DT-ST DVD-ROM GDR8161B drive. It can't rip copy protected CDs properly as well.

But other CDs are fine, even scratched ones. I just put it on EAC Secure Mode if it fails the Burst mode.

LG drives bad for ripping. Firmware's fault? or Hardware?

Reply #10 –
Quote from: WonderSlug on
To the OP, since TSST is combined Toshiba/Samung and has been working pretty well for you, you might consider replacing your internal LG drive with the following Samsung drive:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx...N82E16827151155


Actually, I bought a HP pc knowing that specific model came with a TSSTCorp drive. It died on me and got it replaced by HP. They sent me a LG as a replacement wich I wasn't really happy about. I spent countless hours trying to explain to them why the LG drives weren't no good but they insist on sending me LG drives, stating they don't know if the drives they have in stock are LGs or Toshiba-Samsungs. So, buying a new one is not an option, a replacement is. But since HP won'T send me the same drive I paid for initially, the only option was to 'fix' it myself. That's why I wanted to know if errors when ripping copy-protected CD's were because of the hardware itself, or the firmware. I was hoping it was a firmware issue so I could update the firmware to a 3rd party one. The question remains... Could a firmware update (3rd party) fix the issue?

LG drives bad for ripping. Firmware's fault? or Hardware?

Reply #11 –
I also have HL-DT-ST DVD-ROM GDR8161B (LG, my master optical drive) and a TSSTCorp CD/DVDW SH-S182M (Samsung, my slave optical drive).

Both can rip copy-protected CDs using audiograbber, EAC. I wonder why Boiled Beans wasn't able to rip though.

I did not bother to update my firmware.
"Listen to me...
Never take unsolicited advice..."

LG drives bad for ripping. Firmware's fault? or Hardware?

Reply #12 –
As I suggested in post No2, it's just as likely to come down to firmware revision as to the actual drive hardware in many cases. You didn't need to update your firmware because, in your specific case, the version you had already worked. I didn't bother updating the firmware on any of my drives that already worked either, but is has helped on some of my drives that didn't.

Updated firmware can be found for hundreds of different CD/DVD drives HERE. Carry out at your own risk, obviously.

Cheers, Slipstreem.