I would just like to bring the attention to this program i have just found.
it works by editing the Firmware of a DVD Burner (not the firmware on the burner itself, but the firmware you download to flash to the burner)
what it can do is modify the Write speeds of certain Media.
theres also an option to patch the Riplock that locks most dvd ripping activities to under 4000kb/s, after patching my firmware and flashing it, i now can rip dvd's up to 11000mb/s where as before i was only getting 3000-4000kb/s
it doesn't support all burners so you'll have to check the support list
you can get all the info and the download itself from
http://ala42.cdfreaks.com/MCSE/