my new plextor PX-712A

[Solarflair]

ok i just got my brand new Plextor PX-712A in the mail. I already installed it. I was wondering if i should upgrade the firmware.

I ask this because i have never done it before and i heard it can permanantly damage the drive. Is the firmware worth risking that? What do you gain from it?

[888888]

Newer firmware sometimes fixes issues and bugs with earlier firmwares. You can use the same approach as with device drivers, you just have to be more careful. Some go with the "if it ain't broke don't fix it" philosophy but I personally like the "let's get it to work as good as possible" philosophy or the "they must have updated it for a reason" philosophy.

Read the documentation of the firmware and see why they were updated in the first place. Features are sometimes added. Also, go here:

https://www.videohelp.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=180136

And see if maybe you don't want to use a region free or other non-official hacked firmware instead.

I would update if I were you. My burner refused to work with Nero InfoTool until I upgraded the firmware and now it works great with it. This was a known issue that was solved.

If you follow all of Plextor's directions, there really is no reason to be worried unless you have really bad luck or something.

[budz]

If you apply a hack firmware on your plextor 712a drive remember that it will void the warranty on the drive should you need to return it because of a defect.

Check out Plextor's Forum at cdfreaks.com to see which firmware has been the most stable to use.
http://club.cdfreaks.com/forumdisplay.php?s=&daysprune=&f=43

As 888888 stated some firmware will fix some bugs. In my experience with the Plextor 708A drive I only updated the firmware twice. I'm the type that if it ain't broken why fix it. But then again there are many variables with dvd burning. With Plextor drives it is best to use the Recommended brands of dvd media that Plextor supports. Some say Plextor drives are picky but if you use the recommended brands of dvd media they support you will not have problems with the drive. TAIYO YUDEN discs are good quality discs and you can get them from www.rima.com. Check out the Plextor forum because there are people in there that will help you out if you have questions or problems.

[FulciLives]

Is there any model/make of DVD burner that doesn't work well with Taiyo Yuden DVD media?

If only everone bought Taiyo Yuden the DVD burning world would be so much happier

- John "FulciLives" Coleman

[budz]

Is there any model/make of DVD burner that doesn't work well with Taiyo Yuden DVD media?

If only everone bought Taiyo Yuden the DVD burning world would be so much happier smile.gif

- John "FulciLives" Coleman

[Solarflair]

ok i did the firmware. i got it from the Plextor website. iwouldnt really trust other sources. It was an exe file, no different from installing a driver.

My last dvd burner, it was an MSI the firmware had to be update in DOS or so site says, so i didnt even bother with it.