Which firmware version for Pioneer DVR-104

[Craig Tucker]

My pioneer currently has firmware version 1.30, which I understand can cause laser burnout when using 4x media.

I am going to buy some 4x ritec as shown below and want to know which firmware version I should flash to.

Ridata DVD-R 4.7Gb - 4x Speed - Bulk Wrapped From Here


I have read this taken from here
FIRMWARE REVISIONS
1.20 Official, good firmware. Pioneer say we need to upgrade because of possible laser burnout when 4x media is inserted.

1.30 Official firmware supplied with some OEM drives which probably has a bug with some media. Fixed the bug of possible laser burnout when 4x media is inserted. This firmware was never released as an upgrade.

1.31 Official beta firmware leaked onto the internet but not officially released. This firmware allows 2x writing on Ritek media and is the only official firmware to do so. Fixed the bug of possible laser burnout when 4x media is inserted.

1.32 Official firmware, seems to have trouble with some media. Fixed the bug of possible laser burnout when 4x media is inserted.

1.33 Official firmware. Problems with 1x speed media and 2x TDKG02 (this was done deliberately by Pioneer). Fixed the bug of possible laser burnout when 4x media is inserted.

I was going to go for 1.31, but I am a bit wary of flashing a beta firmware to my drive. Does anyone know what discs the 1.32 firmware has problems with.

[jtommyj]

I use those discs with version 1.41 with no problems @ 2x on my 104 and 4x on my 411s.

Tom

[Craig Tucker]

Cheers jtommyj, the link for 1.41 on the firmware page was broken. I just found 1.41 on Pioneers site though so I will probrably use that. What do you think of the discs, had any coaster, picture break up or stuttering when writing a full disc.

[jtommyj]

No, I haven't noticed any problems and I usually burn a full 4.3 GB to 4.4GB on them because I like to keep as much quality as possible when using DVD Shrink or, now, Nero Recode 2.

[lordsmurf]

v1.40 2x4all

It used to be here:
http://www.dvd-recordable.org/modules.php?op=modload&name=Downloads&file=index&req=vie...download&sid=1

I've got the file if you want it e-mailed to you.

I think 1.40 was the first 4x fix ... with 1.41 being a latter edition. ... may have even been a 1.3x version that first fixed the 4x issue.

I think I have a 2x4all 1.41 also. I've got a 15MB 104 folder here with files in it ... arranged in subfolders

Those discs are great, gonna order myself some soon. Again.

[Craig Tucker]

Thanks for the offer lordsmurf. I have just flashed to Pioneers 1.41 firmware, cant test it yet as I don't have any discs at the moment.

Whats the difference between Pionner V1.41 and 1.41 2x4all firmware. Is it just that the latter will allow 2x burning on 1x media.

[lordsmurf]

Thanks for the offer lordsmurf. I have just flashed to Pioneers 1.41 firmware, cant test it yet as I don't have any discs at the moment.

Whats the difference between Pionner V1.41 and 1.41 2x4all firmware. Is it just that the latter will allow 2x burning on 1x media.

Yes. The only real good use is that RITEKG03 will burn 2x, and those are probably the only discs that can normally sustain that excess write speed. They were 2x made, at least initially, but were denied 2x certification. I think all certs are now gone (anybody can claim any speed now).

It also seem to be more reliable on cheap media, like 4x Princo will always burn 2x without flaw.

The 104 was a great burner, and the Gradius and NIL firmwares worked quite well.

[garryheather]

I agree about the 04 - I understand from the customer support side of Pioneer that the 04 has a default write strategy for writing to media that is not listed in its lookup table - I still think this is a great idea because:

A. I have never found a disc that I can't write to in my A04 using official firmware (how reliable the burn is when it comes to playback on other devices is another matter, of course), and

B. I have never had a disc not be recognised or rejected, which is more than can be said for a lot of other drives out there which can reject media pretty much on a whim.

I for one am sorry to see Pioneer deviate from this lookup strategy, which in some way uses the descriptor on the ADIP IIRC. I will be sorry to see the demise of my A04 when its time comes.