Buying Pioneer DVR108 & update F/W with Piodata 1.18 ???

[blinky88]

I am planning to buy a Pioneer 108 next week-end and intend to update the F/W with Piodata 1.18. The reason I have decided to go this way is because I intend to buy TDK+R x8 printables as I understand the media code for those + blanks is RICOHJPNR01. Another benefit as I understand the end result with +R media is DVDROm which is compatable with all types of DVD players.

Before I buy, I would like to confirm the above mentioned info. is correct.

Thanks in advance to those members who take time out to respond.

[HatchetMan]

Great drive, great f/w, great discs, I've done exactly. Good luck on getting the RicohJpn, yesterday I got the CMC by mistake, but so far no errors.

[RickTheRed]

I am planning to buy a Pioneer 108 next week-end and intend to update the F/W with Piodata 1.08. The reason I have decided to go this way is because I intend to buy TDK+R x8 printables as I understand the media code for those + blanks is RICOHJPNR01.

FYI, Ridata ritek +4x are often ricohjpnr01, just verify where you buy them.
BTW, the lastest piodata firmware is 1.18. I would go with that.

[HatchetMan]

I am planning to buy a Pioneer 108 next week-end and intend to update the F/W with Piodata 1.08. The reason I have decided to go this way is because I intend to buy TDK+R x8 printables as I understand the media code for those + blanks is RICOHJPNR01.

FYI, Ridata ritek +4x are often ricohjpnr01, just verify where you buy them.
BTW, the lastest piodata firmware is 1.18. I would go with that.

I assumed it was a typo up there. I got 1.18 f/w with Pio 1.10 kernel, but all that's included by Gradius.

[Tidy]

If I am understanding correctly the book type setting is ONLY for DL Pioneer does not support bit setting on SL media.

[Phantom Of The Opera]

If I am understanding correctly the book type setting is ONLY for DL Pioneer does not support bit setting on SL media.

That's true of the Pioneer-branded drive, but if you buy the PioData drive you can bitset all + media (+R, +RW and +R-DL). Alternatively, you can flash your Pioneer 108 with Piodata 1.18 firmaware and get the same thing, but since it is not Pioneer's officialy approved firmware, you will probably void your warranty by doing so.

Check out these websites:

http://forum.rpc1.org/viewtopic.php?t=31969 and
http://gradius.rpc1.org/

[blinky88]

Hi Phantom,

Thanks mate for those links, appreciated. The 'gradius' site has made the exercise a little frustrating, too many options. I'm more confused now than ever. I thought all I had to do was to flash my DVR108 drive with Piodata 1.18 F/W and all would be fine, but it does seem to be more complicated. I downloaded Piodata 1.18 F/W for the Piodata DVR108DX which is not the drive I have. I have an unbranded Pioneer DVR108 (OEM). Do I simply flash the Piodata 1.18 F/W to my drive ???

[falberni]

I think you may have downloaded the wrong file. Gradius is very clear. You should look where it says:

For those who wants to convert a
DVR-A08/108 drive into a true DVR-A08DX/108DX (aka PIODATA)
(support DVD-R @ 16x max and DVD-RW @ 4x max)


The file you downloaded probably does not have the kernl file. The kernel file is "R8150008.110".

Once you download the right file and unzip it, read the instructions in the readme.txt file. The command line from DOS is:
c:\>dvrflash -vf X: R8150008.110 R8150108.118

In the command line instead of using "X", use the drive letter for your burner.

[blinky88]

I have now established I am on the right track and flashing with the Piodata 1.18 F/W is the right way to go, well what I should say, I hope so.

Thank you to all members who responsed for your input.

[RottenFoxBreath]

the pioneer 108 bookset to DVD-ROM for DL media as standard.
as for bitsetting,jeez,just stick with -R, the booksetting isnt 100%.
IMO,the Nils firmware 1.14 is better,as it lets you burn any disc at any speed,even x8 @x16.(and with the riplock speed limit removed.)
something that gradius does not,and for some media ive tried,it actually slows them down.

[RickTheRed]

@Blinky88

Let us know if you have trouble flashing your drive to the piodata 1.18. I went through this.
On another note, I think you can only burn ricohjprn01 at 4x. Be aware.

[Quantum]

the pioneer 108 bookset to DVD-ROM for DL media as standard.
as for bitsetting,jeez,just stick with -R, the booksetting isnt 100%.
IMO,the Nils firmware 1.14 is better,as it lets you burn any disc at any speed,even x8 @x16.(and with the riplock speed limit removed.)
something that gradius does not,and for some media ive tried,it actually slows them down.

Basically there are two camps from my observations:

1. Burn as fast as possible on any media.

2. Concerned first about quality and disc compatibility. Usually doesn't care much about speeds above 8x except on TY or Verbatim 16x.

[blinky88]

falberni,

I did download the right file and using the command line you suggested successfully flashed to the Piodata F/W, no problems .... thank you for taking time out to help, appreciated.

Thank you also to the other members who responded to my cry for help.

Blinky

[mrhyde]

the pioneer 108 bookset to DVD-ROM for DL media as standard.
as for bitsetting,jeez,just stick with -R, the booksetting isnt 100%.
IMO,the Nils firmware 1.14 is better,as it lets you burn any disc at any speed,even x8 @x16.(and with the riplock speed limit removed.)
something that gradius does not,and for some media ive tried,it actually slows them down.

Keep in mind you can flash between both firmware's