Updating LaCie Firmware

[john yaya]

I have a Pioneer 106 in a LaCie firewire housing and there is new firmware available. I have 1.07 and there is 1.08. Is there any real reason to update it and where do I find it anyway? Nothing on the LaCie site. Is there even a flash available for Mac or would I have to hook it up to a Windows machine to do it?

[Frobozz]

I'd ask LaCie support for their advice, since doing this may affect their warranty. You also can learn much about Pioneer firmware updates at www.xlr8yourmac.com

[john yaya]

Thanks. They do have a patch at Xlr8, but I'm not sure it's worth the risk. I don't get much of an idea for what inprovements there would be anyway. I'll drop LaCie a note.

[WiseWeasel]

I'd go straight for the hacked 1.08 RPC1 (region-free) firmware found here. Pretty sure it installs on FireWire drives as well.

[john yaya]

Thanks WW. I'm pretty sure that was the same patch that was linked to on xlr8, since it stated the site was in French.

I went ahead and updated. It seems fine. I got a chuckle out of the "now hold your breath for about 30 seconds" prompt during the process.

I kind of wish I knew what is improved in the update. I don't have any non-R1 discs to check the region hack.

[WiseWeasel]

12x rip on most media and faster burn speeds on certain media...

[john yaya]

I thought it had 12x rip already, but I thought from the French text that it said that. I wondered about possibly faster burn speeds, but the only 8x media I have is Ritek G05 and it still shows 4x.

[WiseWeasel]

I'm pretty sure the 106 drive is 4x max. You'll just get 4x speeds on more media than before...

[john yaya]

OK, I thought maybe it would actually let it burn faster since I've never found any media which didn't go at 4x.

I just tested the rip speed and there was roughly a 25% increase.