Bad Media? Blocks on DVD-R. Pioneer a05 update

[shelbyboy]

Ok here's the drill. Rip with Smart Ripper, Clear up pointers with IFO edit and burn with Nero 5.9.9 as 1.02 compliant. DVD plays in PC and stand alone fine if burned to Memorex DVD-RW. Same DVD burned on a Memeorex DVD-R plays fine through the first half but gets progressively nasty as in gets into the later chapters (blocks and freezes) on the standalone. Works ok in the PC. Guessing a media problem and there is nothing that can be done except get new media. Any thoughts or comments? Anyone know of a patch for the A05 that is simular to the A04 to allow double speed writing? My Cendyne (ao5 rebadge) is version 1.00 firmware.
Thanks!
SB

[Eric J]

Pioneer 105/A05 firmware update rev. 1.21 available at Pioneer's Japanese site http://wwwbsc.pioneer.co.jp/product-e/ibs/device_e/dev00001r_e.html. The update is dated some time around December 24, 2002.

Check first to verify that the update is appropriate for 3rd party branded Pioneer drives. You may also want to search these boards or perhaps a more general Google search to check people's experiences with this update. The Pioneer site states that this is a one-way update. Once you have gone to 1.21, you cannot go back to the earlier firmware level.

I did the update to my Pioneer A05, with no ill effects. I am not sure whether it made any difference in performance, however.

Regards,

Eric J

[shelbyboy]

Thanks Eric,
I will do a litle research (more). I wanted to do 2x burns but all I have available is 1x in Nero. Did this upgrade help with that?
Thanks!