Samsung External DVD Writer Very Slow

[AfxTwn]

Hi, I have just built a new computer and have the NZXT H440 case but unfortunately you couldn't fit an internal cd/dvd writer so I have bought a Samsung SE-208GB external drive instead and connected to a USB 2.0 port. It works fine but it has very slow read speeds and seems to take a long time to rip an audio CD into iTunes (when compared to my old PC's internal drive).

Does anyone know the reason for this and if it can be fixed? I am using Win 7 HP 64 bit btw. It's a new install of the OS but is fully updated and with SP1.

Thanks.

 

[mjf]

I had a similar problem a long time ago - see issue 3 of this hotfix
https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/kb/975617

 

[AfxTwn]

I'm not sure if that is similar to my problem as I am not trying to format a disc or burn to one, just ripping a CD to iTunes really.

 

[Layback Bear]

A internal DVD will be hooked to a Sata port off the motherboard and will be much faster than a external USB 2.0 connection.

 

[GokAy]

... but unfortunately you couldn't fit an internal cd/dvd writer so I have bought a Samsung SE-208GB external drive instead ...

Did you try another USB port yet?

 

[AfxTwn]

I know an external drive might be a bit slower than an internal SATA drive but the highest speed I'm getting is 5.1x and yes I've tried another USB port. I read a review of the drive at CDR Labs: CDRLabs.com - Performance - CD Read | Samsung SE-208GB Portable 8x DVD Writer | Reviews and they show that the drive can read up to 24x so I don't understand why I'm seeing such slow speeds when ripping the CD. It's only writing to DVD's that the speed drops to 8x and I'm not really going to be burning DVD's much.

I don't think it's a fault with the drive itself, more of a software issue (possibly within Windows) that is stopping the drive from reading/ripping CD's at near it's maximum speed.

 

[GokAy]

Maybe iTunes is at fault? Is "Use error correction" unchecked in options?
Tried another ripper? Like the good old WinAmp Winamp Media Player legacy site - WinampHeritage.com

 

[AfxTwn]

Yes error correction is turned off but I've never had a problem with iTunes before. I can try another ripper and see if that helps.

 

[Layback Bear]

AfxTwn
Please remember that from behind our keyboards we do not know what you do or do not know.
So you might get suggestion that you already know.

From post #6

I know an external drive might be a bit slower than an internal SATA drive

Have a nice day

 

[AddRAM]

Don`t they sell E sata dvd drives, or at least usb 3.0 ? Return that thing

 

[AfxTwn]

@Layback Bear Sorry if I came across as impatient or unappreciative, that's certainly not how I typed that message. I merely meant that I did know and I wasn't snapping at anyone for suggesting something I already knew.

@AddRAM I don't know if you can get hold of eSATA DVD writers, I can't find any. I don't want to return my drive just yet as works fine, it's just slow at ripping CD's but this might be an easily solvable software issue rather than hardware seeing as the CDRLabs review suggested they got maximum read speeds.

I have emailed Samsung support about this and also posted a thread on the CDRLabs forum, I just thought perhaps there was a Windows-specific solution I could find.

 

[mjf]

I have emailed Samsung support about this and also posted a thread on the CDRLabs forum, I just thought perhaps there was a Windows-specific solution I could find.

Good luck.
BTW I see nothing wrong with USB 2 for CD/DVD operation. USB 2 has a max I/O of 480 Mbits/s. DVD write speed x1 is 11 Mbits/s and pushing it to x16 you are way under the limit. I have a couple of USB 2 externals I use occasionally and find the CD/DVD I/O speed the limiting factor not the USB 2 port.

 

[smiths22]

I can only give you my personal opinion,

I guess you already have checked if there's a firmware update available for your writer.

Now, i have tested 2 internal samsung dvd writers already and both are slow, that's the Samsung way, you mentioned your previous driver was fast which brand was it?

 

[AfxTwn]

I just did a test using Opti Drive Control and was surprised by the results. Anyway, the average speed was 13.95x, start 9.07x and end 18.57x. This was done with a standard pressed audio CD in the drive for an album from this year as I know some older CD's are slower anyway. I didn't get anywhere near the maximum even with the end speed and the average was still slower than I expected. Having said that, the speed from the test was a lot faster than when using iTunes where I get an average of 5.1x so I'm not sure what's going on.

I have checked the firmware and have the latest version for the drive. I don't know what model my last drive was but I think possibly Hitachi but I can't remember. It looks like there's something making iTunes read the CD's at a slower rate and I need to try and solve that, failing that then I maybe need to look at getting a better external drive although I'm not sure what and would be reluctant at buying something else if there is a software issue that's stopping any drive from performing at good speeds in iTunes.

I just read a few reviews of the drive on Amazon and some people are saying this drive needs a Y-USB cable to provide enough power for it but that this is only necessary if you don't have USB 3.0. I am using the supplied mini USB to normal USB cable and have connected it to a USB 3.0 port but haven't seen any difference in speed when compared with using a single USB 2.0 port. Just wondered if using a Y-USB cable could have any bearing on speed?