Dual Layer drives and firmware

[michaelof36]

Is it possible to upgrade the firmware on a DVD writer so that it can write to dual layer DVDs?

[3dcandy]

Nope - the writer has to actually refocus the laser to write to a dual layer disc, and the media would have to be totally different! They are supposed to be coming soon(ish) but they aren't here yet...

[IremainAMisterE]

Exactly what Philips said to CDfreaks at CeBit-
"According to Philips it will not be possible to upgrade existing 8x DVD recorders to DL layer recorders, contrary to what some rumours are saying. In theory the laser power of an 8x drive is strong enough to handle DL but the problem is, is that the OPU (Optical Pickup Unit) of the drive is often not good enough. This will lead to quality problems. However, some drives with good OPUs could, in theory, be upgraded although they’d have to be handpicked."

So in all actuality we'll have to wait and see what companis will do what. So lets say there are good OPUs in a 8x Sony,Plextor,Pioneer etc. Then like they say in theory it is possible. Im sure someone will come out with a firmware or 'hack' a firmware once they find out what drives have good enough OPUs.

All us 8x owners can just *cross our fingers* and wait....

[rhegedus]

Even if they could be flashed, they won't be. Companies won't supply a free firmware flash for you old burner when they could sell you a new one for $250.

Some firmware hackers might try, but would you risk it?

[Vanderlow]

The BenQ DW822a with upgrade to dual layer through firmware. I believe its only available in Europe at this time, but may be out in the US in a week or two. The firmware has yet to be released.

[Tidy]

Okay this seems strange to me I know that at a computer conference recently Pioneer demonstrated a DL DVD-9 burn with a 106d with upgraded firmware. I have heard there will be a few burners that will reflash for DVD-9. I am guessing they will come from the few companies that sell drives AND media. Then they will still clean up. As far as hacked firmware is concerned I have been using it on my memorex Dual-x1. I reflashed it to a pioneer 106d (they OEM for Memorex) and now I can rip pressed DVD's at 12.3x. Very nice indeed and I have had no problems with the drive whatsoever.

[Nelson37]

I read somewhere that drive was modified in hardware.

Wasn't long ago many here were stating Dual-layer burning would be impossible. Not holding my breath but quite possible someone may make it work.

If they don't make some idiot screwup with the format I think the prices will drop to a point it will be a moot issue very soon.

[richdvd]

Nope - the writer has to actually refocus the laser to write to a dual layer disc, and the media would have to be totally different!

Pioneer claims that a select few of their drives will be dual layer compatible with a simple firmware upgrade. I guess we will have to wait a little while longer to find out the truth.

[Tidy]

I figured out what conference it was it was at the most recent CS they did say that the 106d would be one of the drives that will burn DVD-9 with a simple firmware upgrade.

[richdvd]

Does anyone know if Pioneer is marketing a dual-layer drive right now?

[Gil T Pleasure]

Pioneer will market the A08, which will support double layer DVD+R, in July.

[Vanderlow]

The only dual layer upgradable burner is the BenQ DW822A for $95 plus Shipping at bannanapc.com also stated elsewhere in this forum.

[offline]

that drive was modified in hardware.

No.. t'was stock standard with reflashed firmware. The only
problem is that the demo was done prior to the DVD forum's
final specification ruling on DL.

Nope - the writer has to actually refocus the laser to write to a dual layer disc, and the media would have to be totally different!

Just like they do when burning CDR/CDRW.. hmm

[JohnnyCNote]

Even if they could be flashed, they won't be. Companies won't supply a free firmware flash for you old burner when they could sell you a new one for $250.

Some firmware hackers might try, but would you risk it?

This is precisely what I was thinking. Beyond that, if blue-ray drives are on the market in a year or less after the dual-layer ones are introduced, people will be moving over to that standard. Panasonic has already displayed such a drive at a recent trade show, so they're not too far away....

[maartena]

Even if they could be flashed, they won't be. Companies won't supply a free firmware flash for you old burner when they could sell you a new one for $250.

Some firmware hackers might try, but would you risk it?

This is precisely what I was thinking. Beyond that, if blue-ray drives are on the market in a year or less after the dual-layer ones are introduced, people will be moving over to that standard. Panasonic has already displayed such a drive at a recent trade show, so they're not too far away....

No, but unless the blu-ray drives will also write DVD's they won't be selling to soon. On top of that, the first blu-ray models will cost about $2,000 - which is a little too much for the average consumer. Also, al lot of consumers use DVD writers to "backup" their movies, and since most people do not have a blu-ray PLAYER on their TV either, you'll need to invest in that too.

A blu-ray writer will be a decent backup disk though, with 25 Gb on a disc (other standards of 50 and 100 Gb a disc are not yet approved) you can store more then 5 DVD-R's on it. However, if you are going to use it as a backup device, you may be cheaper off by getting a 160 Gb USB 2.0/FireWire external harddrive, which you can get for about $250 these days.

I do not think that blu-ray will be used by consumers anytime soon. Don't forget that movies in blu-ray quality require a full-featured HDTV 1080i-widescreen TV as well, otherwise its just a waste of money if you are going to view it on your regular NTSC projection bigscreen TV.

[Tidy]

Okay, due to the wild speculation on this subject I called Pioneer and finally got through to one of their direct sales people (OEM sales). I was told that the plan right now is to indeed release a DVD-9 flash for the 106d. People come up with all of these crazy reasons why they won't do it. The one I particularly like is "they won't firmware upgrade because they want you to buy a new drive". That makes no sense at all. The best way to get their customers to buy a new drive is by giving them a DVD-9 flash upgrade. Even with a flash upgrade I would bet that this drive will be the slowest DVD-9 burner available. So, the logic is get them hooked on a DVD-9 drive so when the faster ones are released we will buy them.

[rhegedus]

You obviously have not heard of the Philips DVDRW208/228 saga.

As for getting people hooked on DVD-9 and upgrading because the drive is slow, there are still lots of DVDR users who use the old Pioneer 103 and 104s than can only write -R at x2 (and no +R support either!) who haven't run out to buy the latest x8 burners.

[Vanderlow]

So is the 107D upgradable also?

[Tidy]

Hey I never said I agreed with it I just said that is what they told me. To be honest I did not ask anything about the 107 only the 106 and I had to question and push so hard to get them to admit it for the 106 that I have no idea if they are planning on doing it with the 107

[IremainAMisterE]

That is very reassuring Tidy. Good lookin out

I mean sheeeit if my 107 is gonna be upgraded to a dual layer, even @1x ill still be satisfied til next year. Guess now everyone will shut up w/this nonsense that the drives cant be upgraded and that they wont.

Celebrating with a ::dance:: :P

[rhegedus]

Has the possibility that burner manufacturers want to clear the shelves of soon-to-be-redundant stock by promising future firmware fashes to upgrade to dual-layer burning not occured to anyone?

Just a thought....

[aurgathor]

I believe if I see it... not that it can't be done, but:
a) a drive initially manufactured as SL may not be as reliable as a real DL drive
b) unless such drives can command a significant premium, it makes more sense to sell new drives.

If a manufacturer will openly advertise a drive as upgradaeble to DL and promise a free upgrade, then it will probably be so, but I wouldn't count on rumours and demos.

[koolaidwa]

DL drives are going for 150 brand new, nec2500a has been shown to be able to be flashed and sussecfully burn DL, BenQ will officaly release the DL firmware for whatever drive they have that can be DL as well

true if u want DL is would be best to buy a DL drive as they where designed to burn DL, but if u arleady got a drive that can be flashed to DL more power to u,

[VCDHunter]

DL drives are going for 150 brand new, nec2500a has been shown to be able to be flashed and sussecfully burn DL, BenQ will officaly release the DL firmware for whatever drive they have that can be DL as well

Damm good news for us NEC2500a owners

[code65536]

http://forum.rpc1.org/viewtopic.php?t=25780
http://forum.rpc1.org/viewtopic.php?p=114872#114872