PrimoDvd & Nero Settings

== Creating a Global Image in PrimoDVD -- Intro ==

As it ships, PrimoDVD is capable of creating a Global Image (here after referred to as a GI) of an entire, full 4.7GB DVD.

+++ VERY IMPORTANT NOTE +++

This is fine, but there's a hidden "gotcha" associated with this. Win95 uses a FAT16 file system and Win98/ME uses a FAT32 file system. FAT16 has a maximum file size limitation of 2GB and FAT32 has a 4GB file size limit. Trying to create or save a file larger than this WILL cause an error.

With Win2K or WinXP, you'll never notice this as they use the NTFS file system (unless you installed XP on a FAT32 partition), but you Win2k/XP folks need to take us 95/98/ME folks into consideration when creating your GIs, because if they're larger than 2 or 4GB, we'll NEVER be able to save them to disc when unRARing them and therefore many folks won't be able to share the fruits of your labors.

Many folks have installed PrimoDVD on a 98/ME box and then scratched their heads when creating a large (>4GB) GI when Primo errors out near the end of the read cycle. Although the error is never explained, it's due to the file size limitation of your particular Windows OS and the Px Engine update cures this.

So, first, install PrimoDVD. Next, install the Px Engine update. (If you have Primo installed already, just apply the PX Engine 336 update if you haven't done so yet.) The update breaks up the single big GI into 1.99GB parts automatically. http://www.veritas.com/us/products/recordnow/drivers/

I've imaged Final Fantasy X as an example. Here's what Windows Explorer displays when I finished.

FFX.gi 2KB
FFX[11].gi 2,097,152KB
FFX[12].gi 2,097,152KB
FFX[13].gi 208,256KB

In this case, FFX.gi will act just like the CUE sheet in CDRWin and contains information that tells PrimoDVD there are 3 files that represent the full image (sort of like a segmented BIN file.) When you go to Rar everything up, be sure to highlight all 4 files and then tell WinRar to create the Rar set.

== Creating the GI ==

Open Primo. At the top you'll see the main Menu bar which consists of:

File Edit Drive View Tools Window Help

Insert your PS2 DVD into your DVD drive (DVD-R burner or DVD-ROM drive), wait for the drive light to stop blinking and then choose "Drive" from the menu bar. Then from the menu drop-down, choose "Build Global Image".

A new window opens entitled "Drive Explorer and Drive Properties" along with your drive's system letter (mine's E: ). NOTE: This is a good place to check the firmware revision of your drive too. If you have an A03, consider updating it to v1.80 or at least v1.68 as it cured a lot of the burning problems with non-Pioneer DVD-R media. A great site for the latest firmware updates for just above every drive under the sun is: http://www.firmware.fr.st/

Now, you'll notice that the information for PS2 disc you put in your drive is automatically displayed in this new window. Down below the information grid you'll see a box on the left called "Global Image". Just click on the [...] icon to browse to where you want to save the image file(s) on your hard drive and give it a name. With that out of the way, set the "Reading Speed" to MIN to ensure a good read of all the audio and video files (although my A03 ends up reading at 18-24x anyway.) Then click on the "Build" icon right next to it and off you go. Hey, that was easy, eh?

== Burning a Global Image in Primo DVD ==

This operation is a little different than the creation procedure. Again open PrimoDVD. At the main screen, right below the main menu bar, you'll see a series of drive-like icons. Hover your cursor over the icons to display their function. You want to click the 3rd icon from the left: "Global Image or Other Image". Note that when you do, the right-hand frame changes. This is where we enter in the GI information prior to the burn.

Note that in the left frame, your drive(s) will be displayed, either as large icons or as Host ID: (selectable from the main menu bar under VIEW) and that the right frame says "No Recorder selected" above the number of Copies box if you have more than one drive in your system. If so, you need to tell Primo which drive to use. To do this, double click on your burner in the left frame. You should then see a red, left-facing arrow next to the drive and "1 Recorder(s)" above the number of Copies box.

To the right on the same line as the "Copies" box, choose your burning speed. I use 2x for the best results with my A03 on good certified DVD-R media (more about that in a moment.) To the right of that, select either "Record and Verify" or "Record" from the drop down box. I personally use "Record and Verify" which does double the amount of time because Primo will go back after completing the burn and compare the DVD-R with the HD image to insure I didn't have a bad blank disc. I also leave "Verify every round" set as is.

Below that line is the "Disc Image File" box. Again, just click on the [...] icon at the far right to browse to where your GI is and just select the small {game}.gi file. Once that's done, click the Red dot (Go!) to start the burn and go grab a drink or a bite to eat. <g>

== A word on DVD-R media ==

The search for reasonable (cheap) DVD-R media is like the Holy Grail. Unfortunately these early days of burning DVD-Rs for the PS2 is akin to the early days of burning CD-Rs. Good media is a tad expensive, but when you consider that you can save scratching up a $50 original by backing it up to a $5-8 blank, it's a bargin.

As has been discussed on almost every PS2 web forum I've visited, the issue of suitable media for PS2 games comes up. The general consenus is that the cheap generic and Princo media ($2-4) is a total waste of money. Try them if you want, but be prepared for discs that won't load, or if they do, take forever to load, and that skip, and freeze during game play. Without a doubt, you need to use a good name brand media. The following have been proven to work reliably in the PS2: Pioneer, Verbatim, Apple, TDK, and Imation. Memorex is hit-or-miss, depending on the condition of your laser.

The best deal I've found to date are the Apple discs, which are rumored to be OEMed Verbatims. You can buy these from the Apple Store (under Storage Media) on the Apple website in 5-paks for $24.99. The nice thing is that if you choose the standard 5-7 day ground shipping, the shipping is *free* (although you may be subject to sales tax for your state in some cases.)

Bottom line -- for the foreseeable future until prices come down, DON'T use cheap generic media unless you like producing custom-made hi-tech drink coasters...