help: kubuntu k3b 8xDVD+R but only 2x max

ctdarksilver · 09-05-2005, 07:03 AM

As the title suggests, I am using kubuntu linux, burning DVD with k3b.

My hardware configuration is:
AMD Athlon64 2800+
512M DDR400
LG DVD burner with 8xDVD-R 8xDVD+R 4xDVD-RW

However, I get only maximum 2x speed when burning a 8xDVD+R disk (imation) and using up all CPU and memory.

I used to use 4xDVD-R and can achieve 4x speed, but when I use 4xDVD+R and 8xDVD+R, I get 2x maximum speed. However I am not sure whether it is because of the difference between DVD-R and DVD+R, as I did not burn much DVDs. The situation is that I found this problem recently when I am using DVD+R, and did not do any test and comparison between -R and +R after I found this problem.

I found these statements in k3b setting:
"DVD+R behaves like a multisession CD"
"k3b needs to burn multisession DVD+R on-the-fly"

what is the difference if I burn my DVD with multisession or not?
I tried both multisession and no multisession but get the same speed 2x

Can anyone help me solve this problem, thanx.

HappyTux · 09-05-2005, 11:43 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by ctdarksilver
As the title suggests, I am using kubuntu linux, burning DVD with k3b.

My hardware configuration is:
AMD Athlon64 2800+
512M DDR400
LG DVD burner with 8xDVD-R 8xDVD+R 4xDVD-RW

However, I get only maximum 2x speed when burning a 8xDVD+R disk (imation) and using up all CPU and memory.

I used to use 4xDVD-R and can achieve 4x speed, but when I use 4xDVD+R and 8xDVD+R, I get 2x maximum speed. However I am not sure whether it is because of the difference between DVD-R and DVD+R, as I did not burn much DVDs. The situation is that I found this problem recently when I am using DVD+R, and did not do any test and comparison between -R and +R after I found this problem.

I found these statements in k3b setting:
"DVD+R behaves like a multisession CD"
"k3b needs to burn multisession DVD+R on-the-fly"

what is the difference if I burn my DVD with multisession or not?
I tried both multisession and no multisession but get the same speed 2x

Can anyone help me solve this problem, thanx.

Make sure that you have DMA enabled on the burner you would need to install the package hdparm then to check you would use hdparm /dev/hd? replacing the ? with the drive letter of the burner you should get output similar to below if enabled.

Code:

HappyTux:~# hdparm /dev/hdd

/dev/hdd:
 IO_support   =  1 (32-bit)
 unmaskirq    =  1 (on)
 using_dma    =  1 (on)
 keepsettings =  0 (off)
 readonly     =  0 (off)
 readahead    = 256 (on)
 HDIO_GETGEO failed: Invalid argument

Now if not enabled use hdparm -d1 /dev/hd? again replacing the ? with the drive letter of the burner. To make it a permanent change eg activated on boot then edit the /etc/hdparm.conf and put similar to this at the bottom of the file.

Code:

/dev/hd? {
        dma = on
}

Again replacing the ? with the drive letter of the burner.

ctdarksilver · 09-05-2005, 07:26 PM

Thank you for your reply and kind reminder not to post my question more than once. I won't do that again, sorry for my misbehave.

By the way can I know what "dma" stands for?

refdoc · 09-06-2005, 05:15 AM

- By the way can I know what "dma" stands for?

DMA - direct memory access - a way to bypass largely the processor when reading/writing drives.

Incidentally this is a problem I have too on my computer an dthe suggested solution works only partially. Altering hdparm.conf seems to do nothing, while commandline changes last obviously only for each session.

Alsoeven if made to work this solution will not work as a default if you attach other arbitrary drives e.g. via firewire or usb - is there a solution to make such hdparm settings a default for any drive attached?

Thanks!