Sony DRU-120A +RW to ROM Firmware/Compatiblity Issue

[Bitrater]

Hello,

Have been burning DVD+RW's with this (Sony 120A) for some time without problems, however I hit a wall with a APEX AD-1500 player that stays in loading (IE no disk). Anyways read about the firmware upgrade so I can set the book code to DVD-ROM instead of RW but the Sony 120A dosen't seem to support it. Tried different firmware, media, it plays my VCD's (lol) but not their wedding. Nero reports an error when setting it to DVD-ROM. So looking for advice on getting some other firmware (MP5125A) was in one post as a Ricoh update that worked for the Sony.

If so...anyone got it? If not should I get a new burner v.2 (don't want to) or should I take one (DVD) to best buy, see what plays it and give it to them as part of the gift....

BTW everyone else can watch it NP with several players, but the whole DVD-ROM setting makes me wonder if thats what I need to get the Apex to play it.

Premiere 6>Tmpeg>Ulead DVDWS >Nero using Verbatim +RW and Sony +RW

[tompika]

Give the same name to the new Ricoh FW and the one that comes with the Sony update. But keep them in different directories.


After launching the Ricoh FW Flash program (but before flashing) you have to replace the Sony firmware to the one you want to flash with.

So when Windows tells you that a file with the same name already exists here and if you want to replace it say yes and start the update.


That's how I flashed my Memorex with the new 1.64 Ricoh FW.

If you're still not sure what to do I can post some pics but it takes a couple of minutes.

[Bitrater]

Cool move - I'll search it out and give it a go.

Thanks for the reply!

[tompika]

Be aware that your drive will be renamed to RICOH MP5125A
so the bundled sofwares may not work with it anymore.

After the update you have to reboot the drive

Any problem-let me know.

[tompika]

BTW everyone else can watch it NP with several players, but the whole DVD-ROM setting makes me wonder if thats what I need to get the Apex to play it.

I believe so!

Let me know how the update goes

[tompika]

Hey I just checked that Sony has the 1.51 FW that works well and supports bitsetting so you do not need to do this trick!

EDIT:
My mistake, dvdplusrw says Sony FW doesn't support it!


If the Sony's Flash program wouldn't work download Ricoh's
put the Sony FW in the same directory with it, launch the program, select the Sony FW and do the change as above!

[Bitrater]

I double checked my firmware revision (was 1.51) reinstalled ASPI just in case (was giving me an error earlier today b4 I flashed it, fixed it then but just in case I redid it). It seemed to work after that b4 I posted (1.51 not the book type)

Any idea where I can get the other ricoh driver? I went to their site and it more or less gave me the runaround (USA non compat etc blah, blah) - Im going to search for it again.

You think "hey I'll get the Sony it should be great" I'll start thinking twice now... they should have released their codes.

Thanks for your help!

[Bitrater]

Hey - I just realized I could burn to DVD+R and it should be DVD-ROM for its book type right? Dvdplusrw.org had a chart showing that. Now I feel stupid...

Found a pack of +R's gonna cook one and see if that changes the type.

Ok here we go...

[vance43211]

i have that burner on my computer

i paid $550.00 for it back in the old days when dvd burners was expensive

sony version 1.51 filmware here the latest one

it hell trying to find it on sony site

tompika

i have the dvd rw 5125a drive on my wife's computer (version 1.27 filmware, i think)
when i brought it had aopen on the package

but aopen website have never heard of that burner

my computer doesn't recognize it as an aopen either (dvd rw 5125a is what it say)


do i really have a ricoh?

i had been wanting to upgrade the filmware (no reason really, i just want to be up to date)

but i don't know where to go to get it

[tompika]

Hey - I just realized I could burn to DVD+R and it should be DVD-ROM for its book type right?

I don't think so!

Dvdplusrw.org had a chart showing that.

Give me the link, I don't find it


I just downloaded Sony's version and it gives me ASPI error when Ricoh's program works good.

[vance43211]

I double checked my firmware revision (was 1.51) reinstalled ASPI just in case (was giving me an error earlier today b4 I flashed it, fixed it then but just in case I redid it). It seemed to work after that b4 I posted (1.51 not the book type)

Any idea where I can get the other ricoh driver? I went to their site and it more or less gave me the runaround (USA non compat etc blah, blah) - Im going to search for it again.

You think "hey I'll get the Sony it should be great" I'll start thinking twice now... they should have released their codes.

Thanks for your help!

i guess that i missed this, while typing my message

[tompika]

Sony's version gives me ASPI error too it's fv<ked-up
Do not use it! Ricoh's is the way

do i really have a ricoh?

yes

i had been wanting to upgrade the filmware (no reason really, i just want to be up to date)

but i don't know where to go to get it

Aopen, Memorex, Sony120 are all OEM Ricohs.

Aopen has 1.27 and 1.38 FW wich work bad.

Now the problem is that the update program won't let you flash with a different firmware than the name of the drive.
You can use the trick I explained above.

Use DVDInfo to get the drive ID

[vance43211]

thanks

[Bitrater]

Okay,

Burned it to +R, book type ended up being +R not DVD-ROM (like I had hoped) even though I spotted the check box for book type (ROM) in nero just b4 burning. (new version - was just to used to hitting write) Anyways still have yet to give it to them to check it in the 'ol Apex. So now have new question:

Should I just burn to +R's for max compatibility anyways? and,
Any Idea where I can get the Ricoh driver? - would still like to try.
Don't go to any trouble - I'll search tomorrow, but if you know offhand that would be great - Gotta crash out - will update on the whole playability thing then.

Thanks again Tompika!

[vance43211]

Ricoh driver here

when a company doesn't have the right support for the U.S.

i go to the overseas account which speaks english

[Bitrater]

HOT Damn!!!

That shit works like it should!!!

I love my new Ricoh drive!

Absolute coolness - I had found it b4 I came back but thanks for the link it will certianly save others some time searching it out.

So Tompika, Vance mondo Thanks!

I like the old flash swap trick, went off without a hitch.

Will still update on the Apex playability....

[tompika]

GREAT

I just finished the pic so I post it anyway.

After renaming the files (same name!) launch the Flash program, drag the Rico FW next to the Flash Proggie and allow Windows to replace it then start the update, wait, then reboot.

[tompika]

I suggest you get DVDInfo, set the DRIVE's default to DVD-ROM.

But when you use Nero you still have to set Nero's booktype because this stupid program overrides the default settings.

Take care

[tompika]

vance if the aopen says RW 5125A you do not need to trick
there is a firmware here for Ricoh RW 5125A it might work
http://forum.rpc1.org/dl_firmware.php?download_id=319

[vance43211]

vance if the aopen says RW 5125A you do not need to trick
there is a firmware here for Ricoh RW 5125A it might work
http://forum.rpc1.org/dl_firmware.php?download_id=319

i wish i had read this earlier

how do i undo my filmware

i just tried the 1.64

and it say my drive is a ricoh program loader now

this is what is said after i click start


Cannot update for different Type Code.

*** NG ** NG ** NG ***

Make sure Selected Source File.

[tompika]

dont worry just reboot the drive


looks like you have to do the trick

[vance43211]

ok i think i got it

i used system restore to get my drive and filmware back

i try to be more careful next time

[tompika]

i used system restore to get my drive and filmware back

You wouldn't have to restore. It has nothing to do with it

It's always like that after flashing, you just have to reboot.

This program is pretty safe when I tried to flash a very different firmware with the TRICK it wouldn't let me because it was not safe


You have to give the same name to both firmwares and keep them in different directories before launching the proggie!

[vance43211]

ok


i downloaded the file (m5a20164.ric) from the site you directed me to

it worked

i have 1.64 filmware now

the file i downloaded for ricoh said M5A21164.ric
What's the difference?

now

do i have region free drive too

as i just click on the 1.64 link

as the 1.64 rpc-1 link didn't connect me through

no big deal if it not region free though

thanks for your help

[tompika]

The originals are on the top
the one at the bottom should be regionfree

[vance43211]

i got it now. thanks again

[Bitrater]

Wazzupp!!

In the end the:

Verbatim DVD+RW with book code set to DVD_ROM (via nero) still did not play.

Verbatim DVD+R (same setting) played perfect...

So there's a media problem on the Apex AD-1500 with Verbatim +RW's apparently regardless of the book type - good to go +R (Verbatim)

Usually I just search but glad I posted this question because of the good advice it generated for future searchers. And I don't have to buy another burner or DVD player so my freinds can watch their wedding...

Kick ass thread Tompika!

Bitrater

[tompika]

So the DVD+RW doesnt play as DVD-ROM....


Heres the deal
Theres a great lil program called DVDInfo PRO (NicW)
that can set any booktype for plus media.
For example you can have a DVD+RW disc with DVD-R booktype (YES!)
http://www.dvdinfopro.com/


Put your rewritable disc (with the movie on it) in the burner
Launch the program, select your drive, press +RW icon on the top
Choose booktype DVD-R
Set current media, wait 3 seconds...

....and you'll probably have a disc thats playable.

If not try to set another booktype....

Before doing anything read this thread.
https://www.videohelp.com/forum/viewtopic.php?p=604577

If it works and you like this proggie you can donate ($10) NicW for his hard work