are there any problems with the sony500a firmware?

[woodentom]

i have a sony 500a writer and thus far have not added any of the firmware updates to it. I have been backing up my dvd collection using a range of software including instantcopy, dvddecrypter, smartripper, dvdshrink, dvd2one etc and i have not had a single problem.

I am worried that if i add the firmware updates to the sony driver then all my dvd software will stop working. I am always paranoid about these things.

Should i add the firmware updates or not????? Has anyone had any problems in backing up dvds?

thanx 4 your help and advice

[SaSi]

If you don't have a problem then don't fix it.

The newer firmware updates obviously came out for a reason, good or bad. Since you are able to use the programs you want with the media you buy, you obviously don't have a reason to upgrade.

People say that the best f/w release (best is debatable) is 1.0d. My SONY came with this f/w version and I had to upgrade it to 1.0f because I bought Verbatim DVD+R media that could not be recorded. It also did not recognize some Princo DVD-Rs. Version 1.0f did, however it started to have problems with the various versions of Nero and with some DVD-Rs I still can find at a low price. Perhaps I will attempt to return back to 1.0d.

But, my advice again is: If you don't have a problem let it be like this. You won't regret it.

[Karate Media]

My 500UL came with either 1.0c or d firmware and was nothing but a headache tight out of the box -- until I upgraded to 1.0f. So far, no problems (knock on wood)

I agree w/ (and am using the same logic as) SaSi -- I don't have a problem, so I haven't installed any upgrades after 1.0f

That said, I have downloaded a few of the upgrades, just to keep archived in case I might need them in the future (I tend to be a packrat). Might not be a bad idea for you...