problem with pioneer a104 dvd writer

[canny]

can anyone help me,i can`t seem to burn any dvdr disks at x2,i have tried several brands of disk to with no joy,my current firmware is 1.40
any help would be grately recieved

[ElQueso2]

AO4 only burns at 2X with firmware 1.13/1.33 and only with certain discs like Ritek G03 and Memorex. I wouldn't waste time with 2x burning... most media do not respond well to it unless you want to buy the more expensive 4x.

[txpharoah]

Buy true 2x discs. If that does not work, have the burner serviced or take it back to the store. Not all discs are 2x, most are still 1x. If the disc will not balance at 2x, then NOTHING you can do to make it faster but buy faster discs. If it were to kick out an Apple 2x or Pioneer 2x, the drive is probably bad.

[txpharoah]

I disagree, most 4x discs are bad. But there are MANY good 2x discs such as TDK, Verbatim, Maxell, Pioneer, and Apple. Only good 4x are Pioneer. The Ritek and Princo and other discs work, but have more problems that not, and you really do get what you pay for in media. I use only Apple when quality and preservation are important. When I don't care, Princo 2x all the way!

[monoxide77]

if your drive is a 104 as opposed to an A04, it's an OEM drive. upgrading the firmware to the best (1.31) is a difficult task. i'm stuck at 1.30 and can not update the firmware. i've tried different methods and hacks, but nothing works for me. the 1.31 firmware is the most stable for burning at 2X with Ritek, etc. without this firmware your drive will read everything but the Pioneer and some other retail discs as 2X. for now, i'm stuck at burning at 1X with my Riteks. i should've paid $10 more for the retail A04 drive.

[IremainAMisterE]

I personally haven't had a single problem with 1.33 2x for all firmware. I too only write really reliable media @2x though, such as Apple and TDK. I tried writing 2x on a couple of Princo's and the result was skipping in my PS2 and disc errors in my DVD players. So for Princo, i just stay at 1x. However i do buy mostly white gloss top Princo's because spindles are cheaper and i've found these disks to be very reliable for me and others around me who have used them.

P.S. I had a huge problem with 1.40 firmware. I couldn't erase my RW's, because every burning program was force erasing them @2x which was f**kin up my RW's.
Anyways, im thankful i was able to use the hacked downgrade and was able to get to the 1.33 firmware.