T43 DVD Super Multi Drive speed discrepancies

[hoya]

I just tried to order the new 8x DVD-RW for my T42 and the Lenovo rep pointed out that the new 8x drive, part 73P3312, is only compatible with the R series. the only DVD-RW drive available on Lenovo's site for the T series is the 2x model, part 73P3342, which is on sale for $199.

I pointed out to the same rep that the newest T43 models are supposedly shipping with 8x DVD-RW drives, at least according to thinkpad.com. I also tried configuring one of the these new T43's by adding a DVDRW drive, but the system added part 73P3342 to my cart, the 2x drive!

to confuse matters further, I just checked the DVD-RW drive in the T42 I'm currenty using, which I lifted from a T43 model (2687DDU) that claimed to contain a 4x DVD-RW drive. however, after looking up the part number, I've found that it's actually the exact same 2x drive!

Does anyone know why Lenovo is playing with these numbers?

[GomJabbar]

Does anyone know why Lenovo is playing with these numbers?

Must be using an abacus!

[pipspeak]

I've only ever seen 4x DVD-Rs listed for the T43. I hope that's what I get... 2x would be annoyingly slow.

[STS06]

Not to mention that you paid for the 4x!

[aamsel]

Fastest currently for a T42/T43 is a 4X drive.

Andrew
Austin, TX

[hoya]

I figured out the discrepancy: on some pages, Lenovo is quoting 8x because that is the read speed for DVD-ROM. on other pages, Lenovo is quoting 4x because that is the read speed for DVD-R. on others, it's quoting 2x because that is the write speed on DVD-R/RW. here is how it breaks down:

model 73P3342 Multi-Burner Plus Ultrabay Slim Drive for T42/43

Read speeds:
DVD-ROM: 8X
DVD-R: 4X
DVD-RW: 4X
DVD-RAM: 2X
DVD+R: 4X
DVD+RW: 4X

Write speeds:
DVD-R: 2X
DVD-RW: 2X
DVD-RAM: 2X
DVD+R: 2.4X
DVD+RW: 2.4X

[aamsel]

However the fastest DVD burner is NOT the 73P3342. It is the 73P3343 THINKPAD MULTIBURNER PLUS which burns at 4X. It replaces the 2X burner.

Andrew
Austin, TX

I figured out the discrepancy: on some pages, Lenovo is quoting 8x because that is the read speed for DVD-ROM. on other pages, Lenovo is quoting 4x because that is the read speed for DVD-R. on others, it's quoting 2x because that is the write speed on DVD-R/RW. here is how it breaks down:

model 73P3342 Multi-Burner Plus Ultrabay Slim Drive for T42/43

Read speeds:
DVD-ROM: 8X
DVD-R: 4X
DVD-RW: 4X
DVD-RAM: 2X
DVD+R: 4X
DVD+RW: 4X

Write speeds:
DVD-R: 2X
DVD-RW: 2X
DVD-RAM: 2X
DVD+R: 2.4X
DVD+RW: 2.4X

[pipspeak]

Part #73P3343 is not listed on the Lenovo site according to a search i just did but #73P3342 corresponds to the "Multi-burner Plus", which has write speeds of 2x for DVD-R and 2.4x for DVD+R media. AFAIK it's the only ultrabay slim DVD burner available.

There is a Multiburner Plus Enhanced, which burns at 4x/8x but is 12.5mm and presumeably for the R-series.

So I guess we're stuck with maximum 2.4x burning in the T43.

[hoya]

aamsel - do you have a link for part no. 73P3343?

[Scorpiontico]

Fastest currently for a T42/T43 is a 4X drive.

Andrew
Austin, TX

which is what model? uj-822s?

thanks.

ps: fru? p/n?

[aamsel]

No I don't.
It was part of a CTO system configured for me yesterday.

Andrew
Austin, TX

aamsel - do you have a link for part no. 73P3343?

[aamsel]

Sorry. No idea. As I said above, it was the part number used in the CTO that was configured for me in a quote I got yesterday for a T series model.
The p/n is: 73P3343
Don't know the FRU or manufacturer or manufacturer's part number.

All of the T series that are configurable are listing 4X DVD burners as options.

Andrew
Austin, TX

Fastest currently for a T42/T43 is a 4X drive.

Andrew
Austin, TX

which is what model? uj-822s?

thanks.

ps: fru? p/n?

[hoya]

Scorpiontico - my drive is a M a t s u s h i t a UJ-822B, which corresponds to FRU 39T2507 and Option Part Number 73P3342.

the faster drive on the R52 is a UJ-830S, which offers 8x burning on DVD-R.

aamsel - I just configured a T43 and got the exact same part number, 73P3343, but I just figured out what is happening. Lenovo assigns different numbers to these components because they're CTO options.

for instance, when I ordered a T43 a few months ago, I added the IBM 11a/b/g II (atheros) card to my order, which showed up as part 73P4304 on my invoice. when I searched on this part number, I couldn't find it anywhere. I called my rep and he told me that I would be getting the 73P4301 card, but that the number on the invoice would be different since I'm adding it to a CTO order rather than ordering it as a separate part from IBM.

compared to the drive that shipped in the T42 (73P3294), the newer 73P3342 offers two improvements: 1) the ability to write to DVD+R/RW and 2) slightly faster write speeds on CD-R/RW. (a boost from 16x to 24x on CD-R writes, and an increase from 8x to 10x on CD-RW writes)

aamsel - which T43 are you thinking of buying? I remember awhile back you were trying to decide between the T42 and T43.

[aamsel]

All I know is that the configuration page says: "ThinkPad Multi-Burner 4X Max DVD Recordable Ultrabay Slim Drive [add $126.00]" so I am taking that, and the salesperson's word that I will receive a 4X DVD burner if I get one.

My "T42 vs T43" decision was several notebook purchases ago. Not sure which I am going to get this time. There are still pros and cons to the 42 and the 43. I would like to think that the 43's are a little more "future proof, but I can't really convince myself of that. Still like the 42's.

Andrew
Austin, TX

Scorpiontico - my drive is a M a t s u s h i t a UJ-822B, which corresponds to FRU 39T2507 and Option Part Number 73P3342.

the faster drive on the R52 is a UJ-830S, which offers 8x burning on DVD-R.

aamsel - I just configured a T43 and got the exact same part number, 73P3343, but I just figured out what is happening. Lenovo assigns different numbers to these components because they're CTO options.

for instance, when I ordered a T43 a few months ago, I added the IBM 11a/b/g II (atheros) card to my order, which showed up as part 73P4304 on my invoice. when I searched on this part number, I couldn't find it anywhere. I called my rep and he told me that I would be getting the 73P4301 card, but that the number on the invoice would be different since I'm adding it to a CTO order rather than ordering it as a separate part from IBM.

compared to the drive that shipped in the T42 (73P3294), the newer 73P3342 offers two improvements: 1) the ability to write to DVD+R/RW and 2) slightly faster write speeds on CD-R/RW. (a boost from 16x to 24x on CD-R writes, and an increase from 8x to 10x on CD-RW writes)

aamsel - which T43 are you thinking of buying? I remember awhile back you were trying to decide between the T42 and T43.

[/img]

[Jmmmmm]

I have the 73P3342 also on my new t43. 2x. I am not happy about that at all. Oh well, whatever

[mg]

OT: Apple customers about M a t s u s h i t a drives: Mac users demand 'slow SuperDrive' fix

[aamsel]

Finally got an answer from IBM Technical Support this morning:

THERE IS NO 4X BURNER!
NEVER HAS BEEN ONE.

The reason that it says: "DVD Recordable, Optical device speed: 4X Max"
on the website, according to them is that it records CD-RW's at 4X.
DVD-R's are at 2X, DVD+R's are at 2.4X.

This applies to part# 73P3342 and 73P3343 WHICH ARE the same part, with 73P3343 being a CTO part number. Don't have FRU's, but it doesn't matter, since this is the fastest (and only) DVD recordable available for the T Series.

Andrew
Austin, TX

[mg]

Here is a speed summary of the ThinkPad Multi-Burner Plus Ultrabay Slim Drive shipped with the T43p:

Code: Select all

Media    Read     Read DL  Write Speed
DVD-ROM   8x CAV  6x CAV    -
DVD+R     4x CAV  4x CAV    2.4x CLV
DVD+RW    4x CAV            2.4x CLV
DVD-R     4x CAV            2x   CLV
DVD-RW    4x CAV            2x   CLV
DVD-RAM   2x ZCLV           2x   ZCLV
CD-ROM   24x CAV            -
CD-R     24x CAV           24x   ZCLV
CD-RW    20x CAV           10x   ZCLV
CD-DA    20x CAV

More info:

• Option P/N 73P3342, FRU P/N 39T2507, ASM P/N 39T2506
• User's Guide
• MATSHITA DVD-RAM UJ-822S 1.03
• Panasonic UJ-822 spec sheet

I guess to create a DVD that can be read with max. speed one would write to an 8x speed DVD+R(W) and set the Book Type to DVD-ROM using some other vendor's DVD burner.
Create Recovery Disks seems to write only 700 MB per DVD-R (like if it would be a CD-R). A DVD-RAM is fully written but reading from it is slower than from DVD±R or DVD-ROM, so one might want to make a copy.

[aamsel]

I understand that IBM (and now Lenovo) sells a business oriented, conservatively updated product in the Thinkpad line, but it is a little hard to understand why they are this far behind the current standards, by offering a 2X DVD writer, where everyone else is up to 8X dual layer.

Andrew
Austin, TX

Here is a speed summary of the ThinkPad Multi-Burner Plus Ultrabay Slim Drive shipped with the T43p:

Code: Select all

Media    Read     Read DL  Write Speed
DVD-ROM   8x CAV  6x CAV    -
DVD+R     4x CAV  4x CAV    2.4x CLV
DVD+RW    4x CAV            2.4x CLV
DVD-R     4x CAV            2x   CLV
DVD-RW    4x CAV            2x   CLV
DVD-RAM   2x ZCLV           2x   ZCLV
CD-ROM   24x CAV            -
CD-R     24x CAV           24x   ZCLV
CD-RW    20x CAV           10x   ZCLV
CD-DA    20x CAV

More info:

• Option P/N 73P3342, FRU P/N 39T2507, ASM P/N 39T2506
• User's Guide
• MATSHITA DVD-RAM UJ-822S 1.03
• Panasonic UJ-822 spec sheet

I guess to create a DVD that can be read with max. speed one would write to an 8x speed DVD+R(W) and set the Book Type to DVD-ROM using some other vendor's DVD burner.
Create Recovery Disks seems to write only 700 MB per DVD-R (like if it would be a CD-R). A DVD-RAM is fully written but reading from it is slower than from DVD±R or DVD-ROM, so one might want to make a copy.

[mg]

Of course, plugging in a new external black PX-740UF or PX-716UFL instead would be faster...

[mg]

it is a little hard to understand why they are this far behind the current standards, by offering a 2X DVD writer, where everyone else is up to 8X dual layer.

Apparently power consumption and 9.5 mm size is one reason and that Panasonic has a conflict of interest is another?

[Champ]

what conflict of interest? they don't own IP rights or sell DvD blanks..

[aamsel]

Other notebook manufacturers are shipping thin drives that burn at 8X.
LOTS of them, in fact.

Don't get me wrong, it's not that big a deal to me, just an observation.

Andrew
Austin, TX

it is a little hard to understand why they are this far behind the current standards, by offering a 2X DVD writer, where everyone else is up to 8X dual layer.

Apparently power consumption and 9.5 mm size is one reason and that Panasonic has a conflict of interest is another?

[Navck]

Thin? I see harddrives over 12.5mm on those media notebooks...

[Scorpiontico]

guys which dvd media format do you prefer for t4xs, dvd- or dvd+ (based on 2x write speed)?

thanks.

[aamsel]

I am sorry...please elaborate:
We are talking about DVD burners here, and the notebooks we are describing would all be running standard 2.5" hard drives (width), so I don't know what the thickness of the hard drives (which would all be the same) would have to do with any of this???

Andrew
Austin, TX

Thin? I see harddrives over 12.5mm on those media notebooks...

[mysbca]

Thin? I see harddrives over 12.5mm on those media notebooks...

I think he meant dvd drive. The thickness of the dvd drive in the T4x series is 9.5mm high. Other manufacturers use 12.7mm thick drives. Unfortunately for now, the only available 9.5mm drives are the slow M a t s u s h i t a ones.

[aamsel]

Thanks, now I am following.
Yes, now that I am thinking clearly, I have read this in several threads, and apparently, nothing has changed.

Sure sounded like Lenovo had come up with a 4X, from everything they put on their website. But, obviously, no.

Andrew
Austin, TX

Thin? I see harddrives over 12.5mm on those media notebooks...

I think he meant dvd drive. The thickness of the dvd drive in the T4x series is 9.5mm high. Other manufacturers use 12.7mm thick drives. Unfortunately for now, the only available 9.5mm drives are the slow M a t s u s h i t a ones.

[hoya]

I just noticed that a review at Laptop Logic mentions this exact issue (look for the section under Optical Drive). so if you're after fast DVD burning, you'll have to go with a thicker & heavier machine such as the R52.

http://www.laptoplogic.com/reviews/ibm/125/7/1/

[ticeton]

The slow optical drive is the only thing keeping me from buying a T43. Do you think we can expect faster drives with this generation?

(I'm getting antsy. )