Doubts on firmware updates

[Greycat]

In the README.TXT file that comes with the LG 4160B firmware update file (A303) is written:

---------------
Improvement Point
- Addition of 8X media codes.
==> DVD+R 8X: Beall, Daxon, Intermedia, Infodisc, MBI, MJC, NANYA, OPTODISC, SKC
==> DVD-R 8X: Vanguard, RITEK, OPTODISC, MUST, AMC, Infodisc, DAXON
- Improvement of DVD±RW rewriting ability
- Improvement of DVD+R DL writing quality
---------------

What does exactly "Addition of 8X media codes" do?

I mean, if I'm having reading problems with DVD-Rs with those codes, after the firmware update what *exactly* will change with the burner to avoid the problems? Will the burner now alter the burning process differently for each media ID recognized? And if it doesn't recognize the media ID, it'll use a "standard" burning process (perhaps inefficient?)
Or it'll just inform now the correct max speed for each media ID and how would it help avoiding reading errors?

...Or none of the above?

Thanks in advance for any enlightenment on that matter,
-- Greycat.

[redwudz]

I think they are just saying that it will be able to use more brands of media.

If you are having reading errors with the drive, it may not help a bit. The upgrade seems to apply to burning.

[Greycat]

Er... I think I didn't express myself correctly. My drives are not having problems reading discs. It's the *discs* I burned that are not playing back well (in the PC or in standalone players, the movies freeze and jump). It doesn't happen when I use "old" 4X media (even 2nd class ones), more and more difficult to find. And yes, my burner is able to burn 8X DVD-Rs of course.

The first think one would say is "bad media, buy better ones" or "clean up the lenses", but *before* opening the drive to clean it up or buying those much more expensive good discs ,I'd like to know if maybe updating the burner firmware would solve something and *how* those media ID improvements work after all: do they alter the burning process of the writer for each type of media ID or what?

[handyguy]

Don't use FW updates if you don't need it. Also, if you use the media that is listed in the updates, yes it should work better.

Careful with cheap media, it may write fine but in a year your data disappears.