[iMP-900 & iMP-550] Plextor GigaRec support

[adam917]

With the Plextor Premium CD recorder, I am able to write CDs that are beyond the usual size. This is a feature that allows you to write 1.2, 1.3, or 1.4 times more (or the reverse: 0.6x, 0.7x, or 0.8x) data onto a CD. The discs created with GigaRec can be read in other drives, but compatibility greatly depends on what setting you use.

It turns out that using the 1.2x setting and recording (up to) 850 MB (886 MB if overburned, on some CDs) onto an 80-minute CD, I can use this CD on my iRiver iMP-550 and iMP-900! Combined with overburning, I can write up to 886 MB at the most onto an 80-minute CD using GigaRec at the 1.2x setting.

Past 1.2x (like 1.3x or 1.4x), none of the other GigaRec-burned CDs work and the iRiver units keep rebooting (as well as all of my settings getting reset back to the default) until I open the doors to force them to shut off.

If anyone has a Plextor Premium (or whatever their new DVD recorder is) and wants to get a little more space on their CDs whilst still maintaining compatibility with the iRiver iMP-550 & iMP-900, recording at 1.2x may be a decent way to go.

I don't have any 90-, 99-, or 100-minute CDs to test GigaRec compatibility in that field yet, but when I do, I'll report here...

[stevenz]

Originally Posted by adam917

It turns out that using the 1.2x setting and recording (up to) 850 MB (886 MB if overburned, on some CDs) onto an 80-minute CD, I can use this CD on my iRiver iMP-550 and iMP-900! Combined with overburning, I can write up to 886 MB at the most onto an 80-minute CD using GigaRec at the 1.2x setting.

Past 1.2x (like 1.3x or 1.4x), none of the other GigaRec-burned CDs work and the iRiver units keep rebooting (as well as all of my settings getting reset back to the default) until I open the doors to force them to shut off.

If anyone has a Plextor Premium (or whatever their new DVD recorder is) and wants to get a little more space on their CDs whilst still maintaining compatibility with the iRiver iMP-550 & iMP-900, recording at 1.2x may be a decent way to go..

I've got a PX-716SA and have had a play with this. I've yet to find anything that won't play GigaRec 1.2X CDs which hold 95 minutes. And the reasonable-quality home-stereo type CD players seem to be happy with 1.3X CDs which hold 105 minutes.

Heck, even my 4 year old el-cheapo $50 Panasonic discman plays the 1.2X CDs happily.

I haven't tried overburning as addition yet. I know it usually remains compatible up until about 83mins which means around 98 minutes on a 1.2X GigaRec. Might be worth a play

[zaxios]

Wow, things sure are fast-paced here on the iMP boards. Almost makes me want to wait a few months for a reply.

[adam917]

Originally Posted by stevenz

I've got a PX-716SA and have had a play with this. I've yet to find anything that won't play GigaRec 1.2X CDs which hold 95 minutes. And the reasonable-quality home-stereo type CD players seem to be happy with 1.3X CDs which hold 105 minutes.

Heck, even my 4 year old el-cheapo $50 Panasonic discman plays the 1.2X CDs happily.

I haven't tried overburning as addition yet. I know it usually remains compatible up until about 83mins which means around 98 minutes on a 1.2X GigaRec. Might be worth a play

Wow. You've actually gotten anything outside a Plextor product to play 1.3x discs?! Too bad my '900 just JUMPS TO THE NEXT FILE should the memory buffer run out due to shock. I still use it always, but at least the '550 didn't have this problem. When the buffer ran out, it just muted and I hit pause, stopped walking/etc., waited about 15--20 seconds, hit play, wait another 10--15 seconds, then started walking again. Problem solved (as long as the MP3s are below 224 kbps! Anything above that, or any VBR stuff will just not play nicely.