How far are we from DVD-9 Dual Layer DVDs?

[suharsh]

Are these even available today? Will the current DVD writers support these if and when the DVD-9's are out?

[Matteo693]

They're selling them where I live (Melbourne) but they're expensive. Obviously they'll drop in price soon enough (just like DVD-R's did). I think there's firmware being released out there that'll transform your DVD burner into a DVD-9 burner. But I'd like to hear from someone in the know about this!?? Can I hack my Pioneer A05 to burn on dual-layer disks?? Anybody know??

[offline]

Where did you see them for sale in Melbourne?
As for Pioneer, a firmware upgrade for the A06 and A07 seems
to be on the cards - don't know about earlier models.

[adam]

All the press releases I have read said they will be coming out this quarter, so should be within a couple months. I didn't know there were any on the shelves yet.

Pioneer demonstrated that certain of their drives can be flashed to support dual layer media, but specifically stated that they will not decide whether these firmware upgrades will ever be released to the public until the DVD Forum ratifies the dual layer DVD-r standard. I seriously doubt they will ever release it. Its a great PR move, but not a great financial one.

[offline]

[

I seriously doubt they will ever release it.

They should.

1) Existing & future lines would not be cannibalized esp. with speed enhancements.
2) Higher values in retired stock and 2nd hand sales would place positive pressure on the price points for new sales.
3) The PR would be worth $$
4) It will possibly be hacked anyway.