+r console compatability?

[thunderlippps]

hello, I currently have a dms4pro in my first ps2. I had always read that ps2's required dvd-r so i went out and bought a new dual format burner to burn -r's ( I formerly could only burn +r's) and have had nothing but coasters and distorted burns on -r's. Then i recieved a burned game demo on a +r and I realized that my ps2 could play game backups from +r's. Well ever since then I have been burning to +r and my sucess rate is 100% so I would like to stick with that format. Part 2, I have been unhappy with the dms4pro since I got it ( bsod) so I would like to replace it with a matrix infinity.

My question is this: What is it that enables playing +r game backups? Is it coding in the chip, or is it just a matter of having an above v.3 console? Basically will the matrix be able to play +r backups in a slimline?

Thanks.

[uns97]

That deppends on the console itself + the laser conditions. Does BSOD mean black screen of death ? That easily can be fixed, and a wellknown problem of earlier DMS products, though it still exists in newer DMS chips aswell. If you meant RSOD (red screen) then that's mostly a bad media/bad burn/bad laser condition problem, as DMS chips have a very good boot rate. In my opinion it is NOT worth to change to the Infinity. Also the DVD-R media should work fine, your bad burns can be bacuse of:

- bad quality media
- writer/firmware/writing speed problems

regards, Stephen

[thunderlippps]

Thanks for the reply, No I definately used cheap -r's the first time, I'll admit that ( roughly 200 coasters, blech!). but I used either memorex or tdk -r's (cant remember which exactly, but they weren't "cheapies"), and I got bad burns again. could be my burner, but I'm much more comfertable with the 100 percent burnrate that I'm getting with the +r's.

yes the black screen of death is what i meant, and what I mean by that is it will boot eventually but I have to turn off the ps2 in the back and count to ten before trying it again. And quick reboots from the front, forget about it.

I'm not actually going to replace the dms that I have ( that was more of a rhetorical statement ), I would have but I didn't want to pay for shipping again. The dms is in a V.9 were it will stay, but with someone else. I plan to get myself a new slimline with a matrix since the matrix os is first party so thier responsible for it, and I've heard it is just more reliable. Also I don't do homebrew programming and I don't plan to install the ide hack on the slimline, so I wont need the extra hardware/ software features of the dms.

What I would like to know is wether the ability for ps2's to play backups on +r's is an extra ability of the dms, or are ps2's always capable of this with a modchip?

I have already backed up my entire collection to +r's and plan to sell the dual burner and go back to my single format +r burner. I need to know wether the matrix will also support reading +r backups before I commit to which chip to buy.

[uns97]

As said +R reading deppends on the console and has nothing to do with the chip itself. If you are going to buy a slimline, it can read both media. As you did not mention what writer you have the DVD-R writting problem is probably the writer/its firmware problem. Also Memorex DVD-R's are usually bad quality, TDK's are fine though. As one burner prefers DVD-R while the other prefers DVD+R. Your BSOD is a ground bounce effect, a correction in the install could cure that problem. Compared the two chips, I think both offer the same functions and have the same reliability.

regards, Stephen

[thunderlippps]

Thanks, thats exactly what I needed to know. I also want to get the matrix because I would like to compare them. I had dave do the install, so I assumed it was the chip or else toxic because bsod problems are a widespread topic on the dms forum although there appears to be at least a few varietys and you may be right about mine. It works but its just a little wonky compared to my old chipped ps1, this is my first chipped ps2.

the burner is a nd-3520a manufactured in feb this year. It gets really good reviews on the web so mabey mine is singular. I even tried a few firmwares changes but it didn't help. I was hoping it would be a powerhouse burner that could burn anything, but I've never seen so many bad burns in my life since I got it. I never had this problem with my nd-1100, so thats whats going back in and I'm selling this fancy new one while the markets still hot.

Thanks again.

[uns97]

You should try the hacked firmware, get it from http://download.cdfreaks.com/download/94.

I have used the 3520 for half a year with no problems, yes it is a good drive, but upgrade the firmware, and run Nero CDVDSpeed that can scan your disks for PI/PO errors. If the error numbers are too high, you should RMA your drive. The Nec itself has only one problem, too much jitter/beta and this causes serious read problems at 14x speed or above, but this can be solved limiting the read speed to 14x max.

Yes, the DMS has some strange side effects, and it really needs a correct installation, the Infinity is less so sensitive, so you cannot go wrong with it. Anyway, PS2's are ALWAYS wonkier than PS1, the design is more complicated so are the chips, plus, let's not forget how these many different chips work.

regards, Stephen

[davbere]

Chas send the v9 back to me. I will swap the chip. It is faulty.

[Den Leiw]

the +r compatibilty problem only affects ps2 below version 9
and even then some people report that their ps2 can read +r without problem

If you have a v9+ then you can buy +r or -r in that case it seriously doesnt make any difference anymore

it just because -r used to be more compatible that people prefer to stay with -r

So -r or +r is up to yours ^^

[FIRED]

That isn't necessarily true. Seen people with the latest version PS2s who still can't get +R to work. The ability to set the booktype to DVD-ROM helps out DRASTICALLY when it comes to +R compatibility though.

[tot31]

I can confirm that my v12 will not boot any DVD+R media that has booktype set to DVD+R but if the booktype is set to DVD-ROM the DVD+R media works flawlessly,