Dual layer DVD's don't work!

jomtones · **Joined:** Tue Nov 25, 2008 12:30 am **Posts:** 6

WIERD problem - laptop DVD/CD-RW plays SOME DVD's fine but lots of others don't work. After much experimentation it seems to be only the LAYER-1 DVD's that actually work! #-o

Is there anything I can do to fix this or is it most likely a hardware fault?

So far I have found and updated to the 1.01 firmware, any other links or ideas would be much appreciated!

I would attach the 'nero infotool' output but 'txt' is not allowed!

.. basic info=
Drive : MATSHITA UJDA755 DVD/CDRW
Type : Combo Drive
Firmware Version : 1.01
Buffer Size : 2 MB

Laptop= Toshiba Portege A200 (UK model)

Puma · **Posted:** Tue Nov 25, 2008 1:12 am

most of these drives cannot even read DVD+R/RW, so i would imagine it will not be able to read DL, post a discinfo output from the drive

jomtones · **Joined:** Tue Nov 25, 2008 12:30 am **Posts:** 6

I'm hoping this .hif file is the one you mean..

Bit of background info - we used to own a Toshiba A200 that would play any commercial DVD we wanted, no problem. Recently purchased this one as a present for my GF and didn't check if the damn DVD drive worked properly-turns out it would only read CD's.. ebay seller claims ignorance... :^o

and it's probably a bit late to try and return it now.

So I figured I'd just replace the drive - found another and eventually managed to get it working. Unfortunately the symptoms are similar - plays CD's fine but only single-layer DVD's are working. :roll:

Could it be a problem with the laptop hardware?

Cheers!

Puma · **Posted:** Tue Nov 25, 2008 12:14 pm

are the dvd's retail?

jomtones · **Joined:** Tue Nov 25, 2008 12:30 am **Posts:** 6

Yeah - LOTR, Toshiba recovery DVD's, stuff like that. Freebie 'Blue Planet' DVD (1-layer) works fine, as does a friend's band's 1-layer film (don't know if that's DVD-R or not). The 1-layer TDK DVD-R's I burned recently on another PC work fine too.

Puma · **Posted:** Tue Nov 25, 2008 7:52 pm

jomtones wrote:

Yeah - LOTR, Toshiba recovery DVD's, stuff like that. Freebie 'Blue Planet' DVD (1-layer) works fine, as does a friend's band's 1-layer film (don't know if that's DVD-R or not). The 1-layer TDK DVD-R's I burned recently on another PC work fine too.

try running DVDInfo, that will give a better idea of what the drive can read, discinfo doesn't report the Dual Layer capabilities

chef · **Posted:** Tue Nov 25, 2008 8:59 pm

Matshita drives are known for their bad tech capabilities, but even they should be able to read/recognize original pressed DVD9 (DL) discs.

jomtones · **Joined:** Tue Nov 25, 2008 12:30 am **Posts:** 6

Yeah, the previous UJDA755 I had in a same-model laptop could do that fine..

Got the discinfo app, is this any use? Couldn't spot infor related to commercial DL discs.. Could firmware be to blame?

Puma · **Posted:** Wed Nov 26, 2008 12:15 am

yeah firmware could cause an issue, an update could cure it, it all depends upon who the oem is, as you bought this drive separate

jomtones · **Joined:** Tue Nov 25, 2008 12:30 am **Posts:** 6

Drive is a Sony... been trying to find anything higher than 1.01 for it but no luck so far - anywhere I should try?

Sony site seems a bit useless...managed to download this:
http://www.downloadcan.com/Drivers/CD-R ... 48731.html

but it's a .iso file and I have no idea where to find the firmware update app!

Cheers for all your help :wink:

chef · **Posted:** Wed Nov 26, 2008 9:34 pm

It's not for your drive.

"Panasonic Matshita UJDA755 Combo Firmware 1.24 IBM OEM 1.24"

jomtones · **Joined:** Tue Nov 25, 2008 12:30 am **Posts:** 6

ahh ok, so no way that'll work?...

.. hoped perhaps as they're both UJDA755..

anywhere I could try for Sony specific stuff?

Puma · **Posted:** Thu Nov 27, 2008 12:31 pm

jomtones wrote:

ahh ok, so no way that'll work?...

.. hoped perhaps as they're both UJDA755..

anywhere I could try for Sony specific stuff?

yes it needs to be from sony, any update

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Dual layer DVD's don't work!

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