Introduction Congratulations! Thank you for purchasing the TDK DVD-R/RW writer, a reliable, high-performance DVD rewriter, recorder and reader. We appreciate the confidence you have shown in us. Our goal is to put you – and keep you – at the leading edge of DVD technology.
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Accordingly, the data capacity of this medium increases. NOTE: To read this format, you need special software (DVD decoder). Audio-CD: You can play an Audio-CD on your TDK DVD-R/RW Writer in the same way as on a CD-ROM drive.
To play back this media, you will need DVD-RAM supporting drive. What the TDK DVD-R/RW writer does The TDK DVD-R/RW writer provides professional-quality DVD and CD writing, rewriting and reading performance. The TDK DVD-R/RW writer writes to •...
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The writer also supports the UDF* writable file system used for packet writing*. Your TDK DVD-R/RW writer supports running OPC* and is compatible with Windows plug-and- play. Flash* memory permits the TDK DVD-R/RW writer to be upgraded to the latest firmware* revision (available from the TDK website at www.tdk-europe.com/support) without having to open the writer*.
PC to home theatre. Here are just a few examples of what you can all do with your TDK DVD-R/RW writer: •...
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can backup dozens of GB of hard disk space (depending on the compression ratio of your backup software). Copying a movie title You are not allowed to make a copy of the DVD-Videos (movie titles) with copy protection. Figure 1: Applications of recording-type DVD Video images, movies Plasma TV Digital CATV...
DVD discs. DVD discs with “region free” (ALL) can be played on any DVD-Video player. TDK is not responsible for the regional code setting after you changed this setting or played a DVD disc with different regional codes five times. Please note that TDK will not be able to change this setting for you.
Figure 2: Regional codes About this manual This manual is designed to assist you in installing and using your internal TDK DVD-R/RW writer. Please read this manual carefully and keep it handy for easy reference. Use the manual as an installation, operation and troubleshooting guide. Technical terms marked with an asterisk are explained in the “Glossary of Terms”.
Using the right media Make sure you use the right media for the job you want to complete! Your TDK DVD-R/RW writer supports the following disc types: Media TDK DVW-A020106 CD-R CD-RW DVD-R 4.7GB DVD-RW 4.7GB DVD-RAM 4.7GB √ √...
Getting Started System requirements To ensure the correct operation of the TDK DVD-R/RW writer, your computer must meet the following minimum requirements: IBM/AT-compatible, 550 MHz Pentium II processor or higher, • • at least 128 MB main memory*, • a vacant 5.25” drive bay, •...
TDK DVD-R/RW writer can endure rough treatment and still arrive in working order. If you ever need to return your writer to TDK, the original box forms the best possible packaging. TDK cannot assume liability for any damage your writer sustains during shipment.
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CAUTION: THE POWER SUPPLY TO THE COMPUTER MUST BE SWITCHED OFF BEFORE USING THIS FEATURE. Figure 4: Rear panel of the internal TDK DVD-R/RW writer Pin 1 Pin 1...
TDK DVD-R/RW writer with DC +5V and +12V. Precautions Like the rest of your computer system, your TDK DVD-R/RW writer requires reasonable care in its installation and use. PLEASE OBSERVE THE FOLLOWING PRECAUTIONS FOR YOUR SAFETY AND BEST PERFORMANCE RESULTS OF YOUR WRITER: •...
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• Keep your DVD and CD discs free of dirt or other contaminants by storing them in jewel cases. Use only industry-standard discs. Never insert dirty, warped, poorly balanced or cracked discs into the writer. • Never clean discs using a circular motion! Instead, use a radial motion: start at the centre of the disc and work outwards using a clean, soft cotton cloth.
Installation This section explains how to physically install your TDK DVD-R/RW writer in your computer. You will need to complete the following steps: • Turn OFF your computer system. • Set the jumpers on your new TDK DVD-R/RW writer. •...
Preparing for the installation To determine whether your TDK DVD-R/RW writer will be a master* or a slave*, you will need to open your computer and examine the IDE* connections to the motherboard*. Before proceeding, make sure the POWER to your computer and any external peripherals are OFF and your computer is UNPLUGGED from its power source.
IDE* connector should be set to SLAVE*. However, you are strongly recommended to connect your TDK DVD-R/RW writer to the secondary IDE* connector with a MASTER* setting. Should you wish to connect a second device (e.g. a CD-ROM or a further hard disk* drive) to the same connector, the device should be set to SLAVE*.
CHANGING THE JUMPER ON YOUR INTERNAL TDK DVD-R/RW WRITER As shown in Figure 6, the TDK DVD-R/RW writer arrives from the factory with its jumper set to MASTER*. (A setting is enabled if the jumper is installed on a pair of jumper pins and disabled if the jumper is removed.)
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Cable select* IDE* configuration: For best results when using cable select* mode, the TDK DVD-R/RW writer should be connected to the cable select* IDE* cable in the master* position. Changing jumper settings: To remove a jumper, gently pull it off with your fingers or a pair of needle-nose pliers.
NOTE: For best performance, the IDE* port* used to connect the TDK DVD-R/RW writer should ideally be connected to neither the hard disk* drive nor to a CD-ROM drive. In most cases, the TDK DVD-R/RW writer should be connected to the free secondary IDE* port as the master* device.
NOTE: You are strongly advised to install the TDK DVD-R/RW writer with a master* device jumper setting. DMA (Direct Memory Access) must be enabled on your computer system to achieve optimum writing speed (also see “Enabling DMA (Direct Memory Access)” for further details).
About Cable Select By setting the writer’s jumper to cable select mode, the TDK DVD-R/RW writer uses the CABLE SELECT* signal from the IDE* interface* for configuration purposes. This signal enables the TDK DVD-R/RW writer to automatically select the correct master*/slave* setting.
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If your computer lacks an empty drive* bay, remove the existing IDE* CD-ROM drive and install the TDK DVD-R/RW writer in its place. You will need to make a minimum of two cable connections to install your TDK DVD-R/RW writer: •...
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4. Remove the cover from the bay that will hold the TDK DVD-R/RW writer. You will usually only have to apply moderate pressure to the cover (from inside the computer) to pop it out.
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You can then proceed to mount the drive directly in your computer. Go to step 7. NOTE: TDK does not provide mounting rails. If required, mounting rails can be obtained from the computer manufacturer or from retail or mail-order computer stores.
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“Keyed” connectors, however, feature a “key” – marked by a coloured stripe – that fits into a slot situated at the centre of the IDE* connector of the motherboard*, the TDK DVD-R/RW writer and any other internal IDE* peripherals. The coloured stripe along one side of the IDE* cable must match Pin 1 on the motherboard* and Pin 1 on the drive.
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Check the cable running from the hard disk* to the computer’s internal power supply and see if there are any spare connectors. If so, you can plug one of these into the power socket at the rear of the TDK DVD-R/RW writer.
ON A PC WITH WINDOWS 98/98SE/Me/XP: 1. Turn the computer ON. After the computer boots up, you should see the Windows display. 2. Open Windows Explorer and ensure there are icons for the TDK DVD-R/RW writer, the hard...
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R/RW writer will usually be designated as drive D: or E:, whichever is appropriate. 3. If the TDK DVD-R/RW writer is not recognised by Windows, you first will need to reboot the computer and then use your computer’s setup program to program the BIOS* to recognise the new drive.
3. If the TDK DVD-R/RW writer is not recognised by Windows 2000, you first will need to reboot the computer and then use your computer’s setup program to program the BIOS* to recognise the new writer. You will need to reboot your computer when you have finished.
Software Installation Before you can start making full use of your TDK DVD-R/RW writer, you will first need to install TDK’s unique software suite from the CD-ROM delivered with the writer. If you encounter any problems, please first refer to the software manual for immediate assistance.
Figure 15: Loading the tray Handling discs Handle all DVD and CD media, especially blank DVD-R, DVD-RW, CD-R and CD-RW discs, with care. Dust, scratches and even fingerprints on the data (i.e. shiny) side of the disc can cause read and write errors. Discs should be picked up with your fingertips at the outer edge only or by inserting a one finger into the centre hole and one along the outer edge for balance.
Figure 16: Cleaning a disc working from the centre out. TIP: When not in use, store all discs (even frequently used ones) in their jewel boxes or in a Tyvek® sleeve supplied with the TDK i-Storage system. This will protect discs from soiling or damage.
Proper writer maintenance will help to ensure trouble-free operation. If any problems do arise, you will often be able to find a solution without having to wait for assistance from TDK- authorised technical staff. TIP: Read all parts of this section. While many of the listed problems are rare and others may seem inapplicable, it pays to be aware of the variety of hitches that can occur just in case.
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Accept all default settings by continuing to click the “Next” button until “Firmware* update has completed” appears on screen. • Reboot your system. • Verify DMA is enabled before using the TDK DVD-R/RW writer. NOTE: DMA must be enabled (checked ON) for normal TDK DVD-R/RW writer operation.
Troubleshooting This troubleshooting guide is designed to help you should you encounter problems while or right after installing your TDK DVD-R/RW writer. General SYMPTOMS POSSIBLE CAUSES POSSIBLE SOLUTIONS Computer does not 1. IDE* cable is not 1. Ensure IDE* cable is recognise TDK connected properly.
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4. Wrong cable with jumper 4. Connect a CS-compatible recognise TDK set to Cable Select*. IDE* cable if you have DVD-R/RW writer. jumpered the TDK DVD-R/ - (cont.) RW writer to Cable Select* mode. 5. Power connector is not 5. Ensure a spare internal...
Ensure the IDE* ribbon cable displays no signs of excessive wear, such as kinking. 3. Audio CD in the drive. 3. Use a data CD in the TDK Audio CDs contain no DVD-R/RW writer. computer data, so entering DOS commands while an audio disc is in your drive produces an error message.
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RW discs written by written discs is not installed. install a UDF* reader. TDK DVD-R/RW 3. A CD-R recording session 3. Reload this disc and use writer. (cont.) was left open and lacks a the same software originally “Table of Contents”.
Ensure all the necessary drivers and multimedia devices required by your soundcard* are installed (your soundcard* manual should provide further details). Make sure the audio cable is properly connected between the TDK DVD-R/RW writer and the soundcard*.
(cont.) Low sound level from 1. Bad audio cable 1. Check the cable DVD-R/RW writer. connection between the TDK connection from the TDK DVD-R/RW writer and the DVD-R/RW writer to the soundcard*. soundcard*. 2. Low-level signals from the 2.
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Mastering software 1. Power connector is not 1. Ensure the internal power cannot detect TDK attached to your TDK DVD- cable is securely attached to DVD-R/RW writer. R/RW writer. the TDK DVD-R/RW writer’s power connector. The TDK DVD-R/RW writer’s LED indicator should blink briefly when the computer’s...
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“Ensuring the writer is recognised” for further details. 4. Jumper conflict. 4. Check jumper settings of the TDK DVD-R/RW writer and any other internal drive (hard disk* or CD-ROM) that is connected to the same IDE* cable. Ensure the jumper for one device is set to MASTER* and the other to SLAVE*.
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SYMPTOMS POSSIBLE CAUSES POSSIBLE SOLUTIONS Cannot add infor- 2. Insufficient disc capacity. 2. Use a higher-capacity mation to a DVD-R, disc. Use the originally used DVD-RW, CD-R or drive to add information to CD-RW disc. (cont.) the DVD-R, DVD-RW, CD-R or CD-RW disc.
Compatibility of DVD media Hardware DVD-ROM DVD-R/-RW DVD+R/+RW DVD-R/-RAM type Medium drive video writer video writer video writer video player rec. rec. rec. read read read read read read read read DVD-R 4.7GB write write write write read read* read read read* read*...
PC’s various functional units. CABLE SELECT/CS: by choosing this jumper setting when installing the drive in a CS-compatible PC, the TDK DVD-R/RW writer automatically selects the correct master/slave* configuration using a signal from the IDE* interface*. CAV: abbreviation of Constant Angular Velocity. A term referring to the speed of disc reading or writing.
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DVD video recorders. Fully compatible with your TDK DVD-R/RW Writer. DVD-RW: a rewritable DVD* that can be recorded and played back by DVD-R/RW writers and certain DVD video recorders. More than 1,000 times rewritable. Fully compatible with your TDK DVD-R/RW Writer.
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MAIN MEMORY: the storage element of a PC that holds currently used programs and all working data; insufficient main memory (e.g. less than 64 MB RAM* with regard to the TDK DVD0-R/RW writer) precludes the use of many modern software programs.
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ON-THE-FLY: refers to dynamic operations, i.e. those whose performance is based on decisions made while the program is running rather than ones made ahead of time, for instance if buffers are created on-the-fly, the interim storage space is created when it is needed and not reserved ahead of time.
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UDF: Universal Disc Format; a CD-ROM file system standard designed to enable read-write interoperability between the major operating systems and compatibility between rewritable and write-once recording media; CD-R/-RW writers can use UDF in packet writing modes and DVD drives require UDF to contain audio and video data streams.