Plextor DVD9 firmware upgrade - dymystified!

[tonofsteel]

I just talked to Plextor to find out what they have so far on this firmware update thing. And they kept repeating "HOW ARE WE GOING TO RELEASE A DRIVE OR FIRMWARE OR EVEN SUGGEST IT WHEN THE STANDARD IS NOT FINALIZED" He sounded irritated at the question, mabye he gets asked it alot. Anyways I got out of him that the new drives they are releasing IE. the PX-712 is pretty much guaranteed to be firmware upgradable to dual layer.

As well it sounds like most if not all NEW DVDR drives that are coming out will be firmware upgradable.

The PX-708A though has a much shadier response, and since it was made so long before the standard for DVD9 was getting down to the last finalizations, it may not be firmware upgradable.

And so I asked if they will not work on it or release it because they want us to buy a different drive, and he kinda doged that question.

Anyways it looks like a 50/50 shot for the PX-708 to be a contendor for dual layer, but they need to wait for the standard and see if it can be tweaked, but nothing will be coming out on this for another 6 months at least. So no use worrying about it now............

The laser *can* be adjusted using the firmware, which is what Plextor said, so theoretically if it has the proper mechanics it probably can be done. (which it better because the only reason i bought plextor is for their high quality).

This is the stuff I heard from Plextor itself and not rumors, even though there is alot still to be worked out on the finalization for the standard for DVD9, so it may not be accuruate if they make drastic changes to the standard, which should not happen considering there is already a DVD9 burner out, and other drives promising to be firmware upgradable. Plextor is just not saying it because they dont want to end up lyars.

[Faustus]

I had no idea of a firmware upgrade rumor for Plextor, good info. Any clue on the when?

Also what is the Dual layer burn out you speak of? Because the Benq doesn't have dual layer enabled yet.

[tonofsteel]

They would not give a timeline as to when. They said that nothing will be released or even talked about until the DVD9 standard is finalized completely. I mean the DVD9 standard for recordable media and burners not DVD9 in general. But they said that its going to take at least six months. I guess its all up in the air right now, so its anyones guess.

The BenQ does not have dual layer burn yet, but they are advertising it as being DVD9 upgradable. Plextor told me that how can a company offer this when everyone is still unsure how the standard is really going to turn out. But thats what all this is based on, taking your recently purchased DVD5 burner and doing a firmware upgrade to upgrade it to burn DVD9.

As well if you think about it it makes sense. The biggest problem for DVD9 recording, was getting a disc that would work that did not have to have each layer pressed on seperatly. And since all drives can already read DVD9 (how else could you watch the commercial DVD9's) then it should be a simple matter of setting a flag to say burn at that focus level, and tweaking the power and other things so it would work.

As well even if you do need alot more power, i noticed that for my PX-708A that you can adjust the laser power +- 3 points for burning, and i burn fine with it at 0. So there should be ample room for increasing the power to burn at a second layer without damage or overheating since the drive already can do it....

Just my speculation.........

[D.A.R.J.R.]

I have a 708a and I think there will be unoffical dvd9 firmware way before they think about just giving it to us. Ive emailed them twice about the subject, the first time they said noway, the second time they said maybe, so who knows. It seems to be a problem that they want their burners to have the best quality, and dont want to release firmware that may make their drive appear to be inferior because of the high chances of dvd errors. Atleast I can burn dvd5, I guess we'll see in 6 months. Just everyone keep your fingers crossed.

[-jsl-]

I think you can forget about DL firmware for the PX-708A, both official and certainly unoffical versions. Plextor will never release this to an old drive and the only drives that there are any chance for to get unoffical patched DL firmwares are drives that are released with identical hardware in DL versions. I would also say that the chance that the PX-712A will get a DL firmware upgrade is minimal but of course Plextor will not say absolutely no as DL rumors can help the sales up...
BTW version 0.9 of the DL DVD+R specs are ready and Mitsubishi are already producing media and some drive manufacturers have also started production of DL drives and I doubt much will change in the 1.0 version so I would say that Plextor already knows if it can/will make the PX-712A write DL media.

Edit:

Plextor told me that how can a company offer this when everyone is still unsure how the standard is really going to turn out.

That is quite funny because if I remember correct the PX-708A was released before the 8x DVD+R specs was ready and Plextor is now releasing the PX-712A when there is no and will be no official specs for 12x DVD+R...

[Vanderlow]

I think the DVD9 standard is finalized.

digitmes.com article:

Taiwanese makers co-developing double-layer DVDs with international brands
[Friday 2 April 2004]


Leading international brands of DVD burners are co-developing, rather than adopting an OEM relationship, with Taiwanese manufacturers to produce single-sided double-layer DVD discs, according to Taiwanese optical disc makers.

Philips will begin marketing its 8x DVD+R DL (dual-layer) burners in Europe this month and Sony will launch its 8x DVD-R DL burners in the following month, the Taiwanese makers indicated. The production of compatible single-sided double-layer DVD discs that give users all the benefits of the new machines is quite urgent, they added.

Previously, local manufacturers have licensed technology, developed products and started volume production after passing certification by international brands in a traditional OEM model. Taiwan’s OEM production currently accounts for 85%-90% of global demand.

Because of Taiwanese OEM makers’ technology improvements and massive production scale as well as the need to minimize time to market, international brands may prefer co-development in R&D with Taiwanese partners to the conventional OEM model. Ritek, CMC Magnetics, Prodisc Technology, Daxon Technology and Infomedia are all potential partners for this model, Taiwanese makers said. The makers expect production to begin in May-June.

Sony has quoted its 8x DVD-R DL at US$230 per unit and US$330 for an external model. Single-sided double-layer DVD-R discs are priced at US$5-6, Taiwanese makers pointed out. Philips and Ricoh have not yet announced their retail prices for 8x DVD+R DL burners and discs, they added.

http://www.digitimes.com/NewsShow/Article1.asp?datePublish=2004/04/02&pages=A7&seq=36

[Vanderlow]

two place listing the 712 but not in stock:

http://www.computers4sure.com/product.asp?productid=1890372&affid=673

http://shop.pcconnection.com/web/Shopping/Product.htm?MSCSProfile=&NRMODE=Published&NR...ookie%5Ftest=1