Freecom Fx 50 Drivers

Indexa PCCARD CABLE under Win98, Win ME and Win 20001How to use the tool DriverChoice for driver debugging1.1Installation routine1.2 Criteria for choosing the convenient driver1.2.1HighSpeed Driver1.2.2Compatibility Driver1.2.3Windows Standard Driver2. How to trace and exempt an IRQ2.1 Tracing occupied IRQs2.1.1Tracing occupied IRQs in Win98/ME2.2 Exemption of used IRQs2.2.1Exemption under Windows 98/MEb Safe writing with maximum speed1.1Activation of DMA (Direct Memory Access) under Windows 98/ME1.2Activation of DMA (Direct Memory Access) under Windows 2000a PCCARD CABLE under Win98, Win ME and Win 2000The system resources are divided between all installed components, within the supported operating systems. A maximum of 16 interrupts (IRQ 0-15) can be addressed, thus problems may arise when new components are installed. In order to properly install your device in this case, use the DriverChoice program located on the installation diskette. Please read the manual carefully in order to avoid any mistakes.1How to use the tool DriverChoice for driver debuggingDriverChoice allows you to install a variety of device drivers with different architecture. When you choose one of the given device drivers on the diskette, it will be activated that the chosen device driver can be installed as described in the manual.

Please proceed as described below.1.1Installation routine1. Make a copy of your installation disk.2. Please deactivate the write protection of the disk.3. Deactivate your PC Card (Cable PCMCIA) if it still is in your PCMCIA slot. Remember first to click on the PC Card symbol in the status bar and to remove the PC Card only after you have clicked on 'remove'4. Start the program 'DriverChoice' on the driver disk.5. Read the disclaimer carefully before you proceed.6.

Choose one of the proposed drivers according to the criteria described below in chapter 1.2. Then click on the 'Start'-button.7. If you get a message that the update is complete but you are not asked if you would like to erase any of the old files, please continue with step 12.8. If you get a message that the update of the drivers is complete together with a message asking you to allow the deletion of old files, please click the 'Yes' button.9.

Check the device driver you want to delete in the dialog box the click on 'Next'.10. In a window all the old files that are going to be deleted are displayed. Click on 'Next'.11. Click 'Finish' to reboot your system.12. Now you can install your device again. Please take care that the driver installation is performed from your floppy disk drive with the modified disk.1.2 Criteria for choosing the convenient driverTo get an overview of the different drivers please check the following table.H = HighSpeedC = CompatibilityW = Win StandardWin 98/MEWin 2000H C WH WProblems that make a driver change necessaryNo IRQ free for the device x xDevice reading error x xNo drive recognition x xMalfunction of the upper drivers (IRQ necessary) x x1.2.1HighSpeed DriverThis driver allows the highest transfer speed. It requires a free IRQ.

Please read chapter 2 for system requirements for use of HighSpeed Driver (recommended for experienced users only). If you meet one of the following errors while running your drive with this default driver please use the compatibility driver:- Reading errors of the device- Errors on device recognition (due to a occupied IRQ)1.2.2Compatibility DriverThis driver differs from the High Speed Driver mainly by the fact that it does not occupy an IRQ. Choose this driver if any of the above defined errors occur with the HighSpeed Driver.If errors still occur with this driver while running your device please use the Windows Standard Driver.

Package - InstallationFREECOM Fx-50 DVD+/-RW -Page 1Withthe FX-50, Freecom increases the speed of its DVD-burners to 8x. The new FreecomFX-50offers the ultimate solution for all applications: DVD±RW, CD-burnerand DVD/CD-ROM drive, all in a single unit. With the Freecom DualDVD drive you can copy DVD's and CDs or create back-ups on DVD, while withthe comprehensive software supplied, you can professionally process and editvideo, photo and music files. Both when writing and re-writing DVD's or CDs,the built-in buffer underrun prevention technology guarantees absolute reliabilityat all times. FeaturesThe new Freecom FX-50 DVD+/-WR supports 8x maximum writing speedwith the DVD+R format while with the-R formatit isrestrictedto 4x. The 8x maximum writing speed of a single layer DVD+R disc means thatthe user is able to record a full 4.7Gb in approximately 8:30 minutes andthat time, is currently the fastest time we have seen, even from IDE recorders.Besidesthe maximum available speed for writable media, the new Freecom FX-50 DVD+/-WRsupports the current maximum available speed of 4x for the rewritable mediawith the plus format. With the CD formats, Freecom is fast enough, supporting40x writing and 24x rewritable speeds.

Specifications. 16x, 24x, 32x, 40x max.ReWriting speed CD-RW4x, 10x, 16x, 24x max.ReadingCD-R/-ROM max.

40x, CD-RW max. 32xAccess Time120 msWriting ModesDisc at once, Session At Once, Track at once, Multi-Session, Packet WriteWriting FormatsCD-DA, CD-ROM, CD-ROM XA, CD Extra, MP3 CD's, Mixed ModeCD, VideoCD, CD TEXT, Bootable CDBuffer Size2MBInterfaceUSB 2.0,( USB 2.0 and USB 1.1) and IEEE 1394 (FireWire /i.Link)Dimensions25.4x18.1x5.3 cm(L x W x H)Supported MediaCD-R, CD-RW (CD) CD-DA, CD-ROM, CD-ROM XA, CD-Extra, CD-I, Mixed-Mode CD, Video CD, Photo CD, CD-TEXT, Bootable CD, CD-R, CD-RW, Multi-Session. The drive uses a 2MB buffer memory store and supports RAW DAO 96 writing(CD).

The drive does not support Mount Rainier,nor does it read or write DVD-RAM media.The drive uses the RPC II region control, allowing a user to changethe drive's region at most 5 times. For our tests, we set the regioncode to 2 (Europe).

The driveThefreecom retail package was much larger than we had expected.This is not only because of the size of the drive (see specifications above),butalsobecause of all the stuff the package includes. The drive is packagedwell and stable while all the accessories are contained in a second colored box.Inside are the AC connector, one USB and two IEEE 1394cables, the Freecom Warranty with a preprinted envelope for mailing it, andfinally a brochurewith other Freecom products. The included software comes on twoCD-ROM's, one for Windows PC and the other for Macs.

Each cd containsmanuals, drivers and the respective Roxio CD recording software, EasyCD Creator DVD Edition for PC and Toast for Mac. Also in the packageis a floppywith updates for Easy CD Creator.Last but not least, the package also contains a CD-R and a DVD+R also fromFreecom.The drive's case is well designed with the Freecom logo on the top,and is housed in a plastic, outer casing. Thetray door has the RW DVD+ReWritable, DVD R/RW, and Compact Disc ReWritablelogoslocatedleft to right respectively. Under the RW logo are the headphones jack, volumecontrol and power/activity led, while on the bottom right is the eject button.The emergency ejecthole is located just above the volume control. The activity LED lights up greenwhen busy and red when reading/writing is in progress.On the rear panel there are two IEEE 1394 and one USB socket, while theAC connector jack is on the right. Note that thereis noon/off power button.The following picture shows the Freecom's top side.As you can see in the following picture, from the inside label on the drive,the FX-50 is a based on the LiteOn LDW-811S.- InstallationFreecom has two available output connections.

In order to get the most stableand accurate results, mainly for the CD and DVD reading and writing tests,we connected the Freecom writer via Firewire instead of USB after an open discussiononthe forum, although most believed that there would be no conceivable differenceamong the two connections. Freecom was identified as ' FREECOMDVD+/-RW8J' underWinXP Sp1 Professional. All tests were done with firmware revision v.HSR1.The following pages include the test results for the Freecom drivein comparison with the LiteOn 811s and the Mitsumi DW7872TE.2. Data CD Reading TestsFREECOM Fx-50 DVD+/-RW- Page 2 Data CD Reading Tests - Pressed CD results ( forCDSpeed results)The drive confirms the 40x maximum reading speed stated in the manufacturer'sspecifications. NeroCDSpeed reported that the disc was read by the FreecomFX-50 at an average speed of 31.6xunder CAV mode. That value, according to the above graph, is slightly higherthan LiteOn but slower in comparison with Mitsumi.The reported seek times are quite good.

Freecom Hdd Format

The drive returned the fastestRandom and 1/3 seek mode times but was slightly slower than the Mitsumi drivefor a Full seek, requiring 187ms.- CD-R results ( forCDSpeed results)The tested CD-R media is a clone of the previous pressed test disc and thereading performance of the Freecom FX-50 was similar for both media types.Despite the fact that the Freecom drive started the reading process of theCD-R disc faster thanwith the pressed disc, the start speed was slowest amongst the three drives,as shown on the above graph. Just as with the pressed disc, the CD-R disc wasreadunderCAV.The best seek times for CD-R media, comes from the Mitsumi drive, whilethe Freecom and LiteOn drive had similar times. The reportedseek times for all drives are acceptable, although slightly increased for Freecomand LiteOn,especially for the Full seek test. ReWritable Media ( forCDSpeed results)For the reading testwe used 32x Ultra Speed rewritable media from Mitsubishi Chemicals.The Freecom drive started the reading process at a slightly slower speedthan the other two drives. Despite this, the drive managed to bypass the manufacturer'sstated maximumreadingspeed and the finished the test with a reported end speed of 33.52.

The averagereading speed with US-RW media was 25.29x but once again Mitsumi was fastestamongthe three.3. CD Error Correction Tests. 100points (out of 100.0 maximum)The Abex TCD-726 test disc is much easier for drives in general to read.

TheFreecom drive's reading performance was perfect, so the testing software awardsthe drive with the perfectscore of 100. During the test, no samples were skippedor muted, while an average level for loudness errors of -174.0dB(A) was reported. CD-Check Audio Test DiscThe CD-Check Test Disc is a very useful tool for evaluating the Sound Reproduction/ Error correction capabilities of a CD player. The disc offers a signal combinationwith disc error patterns to rate the drive's abilities to read music and reproduceit completely. Five tracks on the disc contain a sequence of progressivelymore difficult tests.

These tracks are referred to as Check Level-1 throughCheck Level-5.Thetracks are reproduced (played) through software multimedia players (Windows Media Player, Winamp and Power DVD). Each level is considered as passed, if the tone comingoutfrom the speakers is smooth, continuous without interruptions, skipping orlooping. The higher the Check Level passed, the more reliable the sound reproductionof the tested drive. 88.45The Freecom FX-50 DVD+/-RW received an average score of 88.45 outof 100 for the two Abex test discs. This is a plus for the drive as the scoreis quite high.4. DVD reading testsFREECOM Fx-50 DVD+/-RW -Page 4 DVD reading tests - Single Layer DVD-ROM (for CDSpeed results)All three drives support 12x maximum reading speed and use CAV reading strategyfor the single layer DVD-Rom. It is therefore not surprising that the performancefrom all three drives was similar with the 820A Abex test DVD-ROM.

FREECOM Fx-50 DVD+/-RW-Page 5 DVD Error CorrectionTestsIn the followingtests we examined the DVD reading capabilities of the external Freecom drivewith scratched / defective DVD media. For the tests we used CDVDBenchmark and Nero CDSpeed. The reference test mediacomefromALMEDIO.- Single Layer media ABEX TDR-821This is a single sided, single layer DVD-ROM with a 4.7GB capacity, and itssurface has an artificial scratch of dimensions varying from 0.4 to 3.0 mm.The following transfer rate picture comes from the CDVD Benchmark v1.21 transferrate test.The drive read the contents of the 821 test disc without reporting any readingerror. There were no speed deviations throughout the reading process.

ABEX TDR-825This is also a single sided, single layer DVD-ROM of 4.7GB capacity. Thedata structure of the disc is exactly the same as that of the TDR-821, withthe difference that there are no scratches on the surface and insteaddefective areas ranging in dimensions from 0.5 to 1.1 mm. Thereare also fingerprints with heightbetween65 and75 micrometers.The 825 test disc was more difficult for the Freecom drive to read. Thedrive had to slow down speed from 9x to 5x, a little before the second defectivearea onthe disc.

Once again the test ended successfully.- Dual Layer media ABEX TDR-841This is an 8.5GB dual layer, single sided DVD-ROM disc with artificial scratchesof dimensions ranging from 0.4 to 3.0mm, on both layers.No problems during the reading process of the 841 dual layer DVD-ROM. Thedrive read both layers accurately under CAV reading strategy and finished thetestwith an end speed at 9xABEX TDR-845This disc is a single sided, dual layer DVD-ROM disc with capacity of 8.5GB.The only difference between the TDR-845 and the TDR-841 is that the first includesboth defective areas and fingerprints. The dimensions of the defective areasrange from 0.5 to 1.1 mm and the fingerprints have height sized from 65to 75 microns (micrometers).The drive needed momentarily to slow down during the reading processjust before the artificial fingerprints on the first layer, but thetest continued normally and finishedwithoutreadingerrors.ABEX TDV-541TheTDV-541 is a single sided, dual layer DVD-VIDEO disc, with a capacity of 8.5GB.Thedisc is based on the TDV-540 series which is designed for inspectionand adjustment of DVD-VIDEO players. The disc checks the layer switch operationfrom layer 0 to layer 1 and also includes test pictures and test signals forDVD sound files. The current TDV-541 also checks the error correctingcapabilities of the drive and includesscratches sized from 0.4 to 3.0 mm.Nero CDSpeed shows that the Freecom Fx-50 found it difficult to finish the541 test disc. Theproblemfor the drive occurred after the layer switch operation where thedrive needed about 700mb of the disc reading surface to regain a constant readingspeed.ABEX TDV-545TheTDV-545 disc is based on the TDV-540 series. It is a single sided, dual layerVideo/S-2 disc with a capacity of 8.5GB.

The TDV-545 includes artificialblack dots on the disc's surface, sized from 0.4 to 1.0 mm. It also has 65- 75 micrometer high fingerprintsSame performance as with the previous tested media for the Freecom drive,where again it needed some time after the layer switch to regain its feet.6. Protected Disc TestsFREECOM Fx-50 DVD+/-RW -Page 6. SecuROM v.2PSX Pressed MediaSafeDisc v.2SecuROM v.2The Freecom drive proved to be faster than the other two drives in the rippingprocess of the PSX game and the safedisc2 protected disc while Mitsumi wasthe slowest.Mitsumi was faster than the other two ripping VRally 2 wheretheFreecomdrive needed 2:33min.

Writing TestsThe Freecom drive supports the DAO-RAW writing mode.For checking the drive's EFM correction status, we used 4 different game titleswith different SafeDisc 2 versions with the latest software patches installed.After making the images of the various titles to the hard disk, we burned them(maximum speed) with CloneCD. Two different discs were created for eachtitle; one with the 'Amplify Weak Sectors' enabled and one more withthefunction disabled.The table below shows the results of the attempted backups and whetherthey ran (game installed / played normally), or not. NoThe drive had a strange behavior in this test. It managed to makeworkingbackups of SafeDisc protection up to version v.2.9. However the backups of v.2.8and v.2.9 werenot playable in the same drive but in others such as Teac CD-540E.7. DAE TestsFREECOM Fx-50 DVD+/-RW -Page 7DAE Tests - Pressed and CDR AudioCD resultsFreecom uses 40x CAV reading strategy for CD-DA.Below is the resultant output from the CDSpeed transfer rate test with a pressedaudio CD:Accordingto Nero CDSpeed, the average reading speed was 30.91x, while at the endof the reading process, the speed reached 40.82 x.

The seek times weregood.To test the ripping speed and the quality of the Freecom drive with Audiodiscs, we used a pressed disc and a its clone, and we ripped their contentsto ourHD with EAC (burst mode). The following graphs show the results of each process.LiteOn was faster than the other two drives, with an averageripping speed of 39.9. Mitsumi's reported average speed was 29.6x while Freecomproved to be the slowest with an average ripping speed of 28.3x. The CD-R media returned similar results to the pressed disc.The average speed for all drives is a bit slower in comparison with thereported speed during the ripping of the pressed media. Advanced DAE QualityNero CDSpeed Advanced Dae Quality test awards the drive witha quality score 100.0 and reports that during the test there were no Sync.or Data Errors.

The drive can safely be used for on the Fly Copying up to 16x.On the Advanced features the software confirms that the drive is able to ReadLeadin, Leadout Cd Text and subchannel Data information.- Support of 90/99mins AudioCDsThe drive managed to playback both 90min and 99min test discs.- Reading/Ripping Protected AudioCDsFor this test procedure we used two audio discs with differentaudio protection schemes. We tested for both recognition andripping to the hard disk. The software used was Exact Audio Copy.

Pressed Audio disc protected by Nec Key2Audio (CelineDion - New DayHas Come). Pressed Audio disc protected by Cactus Data Shield 200 (NatalieImbruglia - White Lilies Island). FREECOM Fx-50 DVD+/-RW- Page8 CD Recording Tests - CD-R Writing TestsThe Freecom drive supports 16x, 24x, 32x and 40xwriting speeds for the CD-R media. Just like with the reading processesthe drive used CAV strategy for the writing process.To simulate the writing process we used the latest version of NeroCDSpeed and a blank 48x media from TY. Thetest confirmed the manufacturer's specificationsfor 40x recording which is under CAV.

The average speed was at 31.41x.- Recording TimesTo compare the recording times of the three drives, we used NeroBurning Rom.We created an 80min data compilation and recorded it on a 700MB disc.The abovegraph shows the time that each drive needed to record that compilation at themaximum available writing speed. All drives support the 40x maximum writingspeedand use CAV writing strategy, therefore their results are almost identical.Below is the writing time that each drive needed to complete the same recordingproject at all available writing speeds.

The comparison shows that the Freecomdrive was the fastest at all four speeds.In the following graph you can see the recording times withvarious media brands.Also, the Freecom drive proved to have stable performance on the writingtimes with different media brands. CD-RW Writing TestsThe Freecom drive supports 24x P-CAV maximum rewriting speed,with Ultra Speed rewritable media. Beloware the results from the CDSpeed writing simulation test with blank24x US-RW media from Mitsubishi Chemicals.Accurateprocess with maximum writing speed of 23.99x, a speed that was reached a littleafter the first 100mb of the writing process.We also used Nero Burning Rom software to burn a data disc using 24x US-RWmedia from Mitsubishi Chemicals again. The data compilation, which we burned,had a size of 651 MB. Same writing strategy and same maximum writing speed resultedin similar burning times from all drives.- Packet Writing TestsUsing InCD and Mitsubishi Chemicals 24x US-RW media for all Packet Writingtests, quick format took 37sec. The formatted disc had530mbs of free space. We copied a 403 MB file (412.822 KB) from Hard Disk(on the same PC as the recorder) to the formatted RW media through Windowsexplorer (drag and drop).

Writing quality - 3T Jitter TestsFREECOM Fx-50 DVD+/-RW -Page 9 Writing Quality Tests - 3T Jitter TestsTo test the writing quality of the Freecom drive we burned the same Nero compilationon six different media and then measured their Pit and Land Jitter. The3T Pit & Land Jitter graphs are presented here. 3T Pit resultsHere, we have to mention that one of our written discs(AM), wasnot readable by the Pit-Land measurement drive although it was fully readablebyall other drives on which we tested it. The C1C2 measurements of that disc reportederrors much higher than the acceptable level and that confirms the inabilityto read the disc.All written media returned high Pit values. The above graph shows that thePit values of Professional and Intenso media were higher than the 35ns RedBook limitation at almost all measurements. On the other hand, CMC and Samsungmedia returned the best quality and the most stable values.The average3T Pit Jitter values for all recording speeds are illustrated in the followingtable.The graph shows that the average Pit Jitter of Professional mediais 37.34ns, a value over the 35ns Red Book limitation indicating thatit is not a safe solution for quality writing. The lowest averagemeasurement comes from the CMC media while Samsung is also quite acceptable.- 3T Land resultsThe Land Jitter graph shows that most problems for the Freecom driveare located at the end of the writing task.

All previous reported mediaincreased the Land values after the 70min mark where these valuesare muchhigher than the 35ns Red Book limitation. Once again CMC proved to be a safebuy for quality writing.The following average values graph confirms the very good burning qualityof the Freecom recorder.The average Land Jitter graph shows that only the Intenso media exceeds the35ns Red book limitation and that is the worst quality written disc. Professionalmedia seems to have low average Land Jitter but as we show on the previousgraph, there are areas that the Land Jitter values are much higher than theacceptable limit. 44 Pit, 48 Land- SummaryThe Freecom FX-50 did not meet our expectations for quality writing withCD-R media.

One media brand was written at such low quality level that wewere not ableto include it on the above graphs. Three of the other five media gave backvalues over the 35ns Red Book limitation while the remaining two returnedmarginal results.10. C1 / C2 Error MeasurementsFREECOM DVD+/-RW8J-Page 10 Writing Quality Tests - C1 / C2 Error MeasurementsThe C1 / C2 error rate was measured for the recorded discs burned during theprevious writing tests (jitter). The software used was UMDoctor Pro II, andthe reader was the Optorite DD0203 drive. Professional 48x recorded at 16x.

Professional 48x recorded at 24x. Professional 48x recorded at 32x. Taiyo Yuden 48x recorded at 40x. AM 48x recorded at 40x.

79:59:74- SummaryUmdoctor's C1C2 measurements confirm the bad results seen in the Pit andLand Jitter measurements for the Freecom writer. All Professional written mediagavebackmanyC1 errorsmainly at the outer region.

Umdoctor was not able to report allerrors for the AM media and the test ended at about the 70min of the disc.11. DVD Recording TestsFREECOM DVD+/-RW8J - Page 11 DVD Recording Tests - Writing PerformanceThe Freecom drive supports both plus and minus formats. According to thespecifications the drive writes a DVD+R media at approximately 8:30 minuteswhile it needs doublethe time for -R discs.

With the rewritable format, 4x and 2x are the supportedwriting speeds for +RW and -RW respectively. Mitsubishi Kagaku 8x DVD+RThewriting process started at 3.95x but the drive soon increased the speedafter only the first 300Mb of the writing process.

The second step speed increaseoccurred after 1Gb where the drive reached the maximum writing speed of8x. KProbe PI/PO quality testsFREECOM DVD+/-RW8J - Page 12 PI/POquality resultsThe following screenshots show the PI/PO results for various DVD-/+Rand DVD-/+RW media, recorded with the Freecom drive at the maximum allowedspeed.The software used for the measurements was KProbe v1.1.28, the ECC wasset to 8 and the reading drive was the LiteOn LDW-811S. The specific methodologyis very dependent on thedriveused as a reader, while the reliability of the PI/PO provided output is alsonot technically confirmed. Hence as a result, we cannot safely come upwith conclusive results,although we do make a comparisonof the drive's behaviorwhen usingvariousDVD recordable/rewritablemedia.The recording discs used came from MitsubishiChemicals, CMC Magnetics, Taiyo Yuden, Maxell, Pioneer and Ritek.Further details about each disc type are presented at the bottom of this page.

Afx Fx-50 Open Face Motorcycle Helmet

Mitsubishi Kagaku 8x DVD+R (recordedat 8x). Mitshubishi Chemicals 4x DVD+R (recordedat 8x). That's 8x DVD+R (recordedat 8x).

Philips 4x DVD+R (recorded at8x). Maxell 4x DVD+R.

MCC 4x DVD-R. MAM 4x DVD-R. MCC 01RW4XThe K-Probe test, showed that Freecom is a quality writer with the DVD+R format.All PI/PO measurements are at a very acceptable level. On the other hand, theDVD-R written media gave back high PI/PO levels while the writing qualitytest of the MAM DVD-R, didn't end and moreover the disc was not readable.

Maybewith a firmware upgrade this issue be fixed.13.