Any Problems with new 1.50 Firmware on Pioneer 109?

[SCDVD]

Pioneer recently released firmware version 1.50 for the Pioneer 109. Here is how Pioneer describes the new release.

"adds 12X writing on Prodisc / BeALL 16X +R media, 8X writing on Ricoh 8X +RW media, 3.3X writing on other brands of 8X +RW media, 12X writing on DAXON / MBI / RITEK / CMC16X DVD-R media, 8X writing on LEADDATA / AMC / Optodisc / NANYA / Intermedia / LGE / KINGDISC / POSTECH / Must / PRINCO / NSD 8X DVD-R media and improves readability/writability on DVD-R/RW, +R/RW, DL (DVD-R & +R) and all CD media."

I am a little concerned about upgrading because I have heard that there may be problems with it. Does anyone have any info on this?

[mn072065]

I'm interested to see if there were any problems alos. Thanks for posting it. I can't wait to see if anyone else have problems. I want to upgrade the firmware but I always wait for criticisms.

[lordsmurf]

All problem reports I saw were from people using the leaked beta, not the final. That's what happens when you used leaked (NOT READY!) software.

[mn072065]

So the new firmware is blessed and good to go?

[Poppa_Meth]

Not good for me. I flashed the official 1.50 from Pioneer.com and I had consistantly bad burns on my Taiyo Yuden 16x DVD-Rs. TYG03. Burning with DVD Decrypter it would freeze at the synchronizing cache part of the burn at the end and required a reboot to unlock the drive. Also experienced the same kind of lock ups when using DVD Info Pro to do RPM tests. Flashed back to 1.40 (with a third party flasher since you can't do it with Pioneer's) and problems are resolved. I've emailed Pioneer about it and they are forwarding the report to their technical staff.

[bladeede]

i have the same prob please send a email to pioneer support and taiyo support.

[Poppa_Meth]

Well the problem isn't with the 1.50 firmware. It's with all the firmwares for it so far. The new 1.55 doesn't fix it either. Pioneer has been notified by several people. With the 110 coming out though it's a bit doubtful anything will get done about it.

[waheed]

I have yet to try 16X media. So far, with 8X TY media, I have not had any problems.

[Methanoid]

What I think most people would like is not new FW but RPC1 FW for the 109... anyone know if anyone is working on it cos the usuals like >Nil and Gradius are not...

[bobbarnett]

Same here
Usually the middle burner freezes
Did the same on 144 and 155 firmware
Taiyo Yuden 16Xs are not coasters!
I emailed Pioneer-we'll see

Anyone know if the new NECs or Sony's are more reliable?

[Poppa_Meth]

I know the NEC 3520a also has issues with the TYG03s. I don't know if it's all -R or just these though. I notice it takes longer than the Pioneer to do the leadin and then it burns fine. But when I play it back the movie will skip through the first 30 seconds or so of the disk and then play normally. For some reason it has a leadin problem with these discs. I haven't had it long yet and haven't tested other media on it. IMO NEC has always done better with +R than -R.