|
Are All DVD Burners Suppose To Have Firmware?
|
|
|
spirittoo
Member
|
6. February 2006 @ 18:32 |
Link to this message
|
|
I was thinking of buying a Sony DW-Q30A-B2 DVD burner. I see it's for a good price and the reviews aren't bad. You only get the drive. But when I googled the model I didn't see any manual or firmware information.
I can get along without a manual, but since I don't see any firmware info on the model does that mean its firmware doesn't have to be updated?
Thank you for your time.
|
|
Advertisement
|
 |
|
|
|
aabbccdd
Suspended permanently
|
6. February 2006 @ 21:30 |
Link to this message
|
|
|
|
brobear
Suspended permanently
|
7. February 2006 @ 00:00 |
Link to this message
|
|
Sony lists the drives needing firmware updates on their support site. Not all drives have updates. As drives get older and newer media and formats become available, firmware needs updating to be more effective in the read/write strategies involved. Even DVD ROM drives and some standalone players need firmware updates, and some don't. That's not info included with the literature included with the drives. Usually there is manufacturer support info and that's where you go for manuals, firmware downloads and the like.
|
|
spirittoo
Member
|
7. February 2006 @ 05:28 |
Link to this message
|
|
I went to Sony's site, but there was no firmware for the model I stated, the same with the link provided to the firmware site.
Should I stay away from this model because it doesn't have firmware?
|
Senior Member
|
7. February 2006 @ 06:04 |
Link to this message
|
|
Hi there,
I know nothing about the Sony drive quality, but personally, everytime someone had issues with a Sony, we suggested upgrading the firmware.
Other than the Sony 700, 710, 800, 810 models, firmware upgrade is almost impossible to find.
Just for this, I personally stay away from Sony drives.
I know are few people with the Sony DW-D22A, D56A if I recall, and has old firmware, and not so easy to find the firmware.
Personally own a Dell OEM NEC-3450a and a NEC-3550a.
I hear good about LG-4167, Benq, Plextor, NEC drives...
VSO Software Golden Membership Proud Owner / VSO Software Beta Tester
This message has been edited since posting. Last time this message was edited on 7. February 2006 @ 06:06
|
Senior Member
|
7. February 2006 @ 06:29 |
Link to this message
|
I am confused... All drives come with FIRMWARE.
If they did not they could not work. Firmware is built into and part of the drive. Unless the drive you are buying has sat on a shelf in a warehouse for the last 6 months, the FIRMWARE should be current.
If you are talking about an OEM drive that does not come BUNDLED with some sort of burning software like Nero , then that is an entirely different question. OEM drives do not come with manuals or burning sofware, that is why the price is usually that much better.
|
|
brobear
Suspended permanently
|
7. February 2006 @ 06:33 |
Link to this message
|
|
My new Plextor needed a firmware flash out of the box and my HP is a bit older and still doesn't need any firmware upgrades. Both work great. Drives have an eProm inside that stores the firmware. It's more or less a computer chip with memory that has the operation instructions for the drive. That's what you flash when you update the firmware. It's nothing to worry about unless there's problems. Often people say update the firmware as the first solution to a problem. All okay if that's the problem and there's firmware available. But in many instances there is no firmware and it isn't the problem anyway. I've owned different drives and I never checked to see if they had firmware updates before I purchased them. If you have to have a drive that has to have a firmware flash, get a Plextor 716. Doesn't make sense to me though. I always thought the object was to buy a quality drive with good support. That way if the firmware needs to be updated later on, the support will be there to supply it. A firmware flash out of the box just means R&D didn't get it right and it's left up to you to do an update.
This message has been edited since posting. Last time this message was edited on 7. February 2006 @ 06:37
|
Senior Member
|
7. February 2006 @ 06:42 |
Link to this message
|
|
A good drive will cost apprx $50.00
Nero or Roxio or Sonic will set you back another $80.00 to $100.00
Instructions on how to use the Software and the burner you just bought.... Well that`s what Afterdawn is here for, an online manual and Helpdesk....
|
|
brobear
Suspended permanently
|
7. February 2006 @ 06:58 |
Link to this message
|
A mediocre drive will cost about $50. A good top end burner like the Plextor 716 is usually about $100 on sale. Most burners come packaged with a disc with an OEM software pack. I got a version of Nero with the HP drive. It didn't have Recode or some of the niceties but it had the burner software which is what counts the most.
|
Senior Member
|
7. February 2006 @ 07:08 |
Link to this message
|
I own an NEC like you. Two of the 3 drives you own are mediocre , And I guess they are less then mediocre because NEWEGG is selling them for $40.00 :
http://www.newegg.com/ProductSort/SubCategory.asp?SubCategory=5
The second DVD burner I bought from Newegg is also mediocre. It is a LIGHTSCRIBE version from Hewlett-Packard. Newegg did not list or offer any software, but it too came with a full version of Nero.
|
|
brobear
Suspended permanently
|
7. February 2006 @ 07:25 |
Link to this message
|
Today would be a good day to buy the Plex before it goes back up.
My other drive is is an HP 740 with lightscribe. It's not exactly cheap either.
These are Newegg and TigerDirect prices, so they're probably a little below average retail. Depends where you get 'em.
|
Senior Member
|
7. February 2006 @ 07:42 |
Link to this message
|
|
I got the mediocre H-P. The 640 cost me $51.00 back in September.
|
|
ae86akina
Junior Member
|
7. February 2006 @ 09:30 |
Link to this message
|
|
i tried 2 update my Pioneer DVR-109 v1.58 but then i got his message saying "Available Target Not Found"???? any suggestions??
|
AfterDawn Addict
6 product reviews
|
7. February 2006 @ 10:28 |
Link to this message
|
Rig #1 Asus Rampage Formula Mobo, Intel Core2Quad Q9450 CPU @ 3.55ghz, 2gb Corsair DDR2 1066 Dominator Ram @ 5-5-5-15, TR Ultra 120 Extreme w/ Scythe 9 blade 110 cfm 120mm Fan HSF, HIS Radeon 512mb HD3850 IceQ TurboX GPU, Corsair 620HX P/S, CM Stacker 830 Evo Case, Rig #2 Asus P5W DH Deluxe Mobo, Intel C2D E6600 CPU @ 3.6ghz, 2gb Corsair XMS2 DDR2 800 Ram @ 4-4-4-12-2t, Zalman CNPS9500LED HSF, Sapphire Radeon X850XT PE GPU, Corsair 620HX P/S, Cooler Master Mystique Case, Viewsonic 20.1" Widescreen Digital LCD Monitor, Klipsch Promedia Ultra 5.1 THX Desktop Speakers, http://valid.x86-secret.com/show_oc.php?id=348351 http://valid.x86-secret.com/show_oc.php?id=236435 |
Senior Member
|
8. February 2006 @ 05:53 |
Link to this message
|
Mort81,
That is $80 to $100 for NEW and CURRENT versions.
That is true that you can get last years outdated software at closeout prices of $8 to $12.
I had the latest and greatest Nero 5.5.56. I loved it. Until I upgraded my burner to the latest and greatest. Nero would not recognize or SEE it. So, I had to upgrade and buy Nero 6 so my burner would work. Most people think that when Nero puts out an update , that it for a bug fix or for added functionality. It sometimes is but it also really is to help to keep the software up to date with any new burners that have been introduced and or new firmware, that has been introduced.
Depending on the age of the software and the newness of your hardware the software that you bought may not work. So buyer beware
|
Senior Member
|
8. February 2006 @ 06:06 |
Link to this message
|
ae86akina
Quote:
Now for those who want to go back from buffalo 8.40 to the original 109 firmware. The problem that occurs is that now the flasher thinks your drive is an oem, so you will get error message "Available target is not found" when trying to flash from 8.40 to lets say 1.50.
Sounds like you are using the wrong flash update....
|
|
brobear
Suspended permanently
|
8. February 2006 @ 06:41 |
Link to this message
|
Quote:
Depending on the age of the software and the newness of your hardware the software that you bought may not work. So buyer beware
You may want to rethink that and your take on firmware and software. They don't change software to match drives and firmware. Firmware is the programed memory for a drive. Firmware is what monitors the read and sets the write strategy for a drive. Plus there are some functional characteristics that can be altered. It is the firmware that is adjusted for the drives.
As for the software, unless it is OS specific, it will play. About any Windows app still runs in Windows, trying to run old DOS apps in Windows is problematic. For instance, I have some old programs that run on 98 and they still work fine. What I see happen more is that old systems aren't able to run some of the newer programs due to not having the system resources. The system requriements for the software are what the user has to pay attention to; i.e CPU, RAM, and HD requirements. I can run Nero 5 on my system, but why would I want to when I have the "latest and greatest" Nero 7?
|
Senior Member
|
8. February 2006 @ 07:25 |
Link to this message
|
|
C`ya.....Unsubscribing from this thread......
|
Senior Member
|
8. February 2006 @ 08:01 |
Link to this message
|
One last thing and then I unsubscribe for good from this thread.
Quote:
You may want to rethink that and your take on firmware and software.
Quote:
They don't change software to match drives and firmware.
The Link:http://www.videohelp.com/tools?changelog=19
Version Number: 6.6.0.8
Release Date: 02-21-2005
New Features
* Added LightScribe support
* Added support for DVD-R Dual Layer format
Changes from Nero 6.3.1.20 to 6.3.1.25
Release Date: 20-09-2004
New Features
Nero Burning ROM / Nero Express
Added support for new recorders
Changes from Nero 6.3.1.17 to 6.3.1.20
Release Date: 08-11-2004
New Features
Added support for new recorders
Changes from Nero 6.3.1.15 to 6.3.1.17
Release Date: 07-02-2004
Features Added
Nero Burning ROM:
Added support for new recorders
Changes from Nero 6.3.1.6 to 6.3.1.10
Features Added
Nero Burning ROM / Nero Express 6:
. Added support for new recorders
Changes from Nero 6.3.0.3 to 6.3.1.6
Features Added
. Support for double layer DVDs added
. Added support for new recorders
. Added support of booktype change feature for several recorders
Changes from Nero 6.3.0.2 to 6.3.0.3
Features Added
. Added support for new recorders
Changes from Nero 6.0.0.28 to 6.3.0.0
Features Added
. Added support for new recorders
Changes from Nero 6.0.0.23 to 6.0.0.28b
Features Added
. Added support for new recorders
Changes from Nero 6.0.0.19 to 6.0.0.23
Features Added
. Added support for new recorders
Changes from Nero 6.0.0.15 to 6.0.0.19
Features Added
. Added support for new recorders
I will repeat myself :
Quote:
Depending on the age of the software and the newness of your hardware the software that you bought may not work. So buyer beware
|
|
brobear
Suspended permanently
|
8. February 2006 @ 09:09 |
Link to this message
|
Most burner apps added support for new drives when they added DL support. Another feature. They were adding bug fixes while they were trying to get that support going. However my old drive still functioned okay with DVD5. A newer feature was the lightscribe with support for new drives, but still workable with old drives as well as the old software being workable with the drive, just no lightscribe ability.That's adding features for new technology. No one said software companies wouldn't update for new technology. It has nothing to do with the workability of the software or for a specific drive. Nero would still work with those drives before updating to such features as lightscribe support. Plus, Nero with the lightscribe ability works with drives without lightscribe. I have an HP that came with lightscribe and I can assure you the older Nero worked with it. The drive came bundled with Surething, so Nero wasn't necessary. Nero just added it so they could boast having that feature as well. Not much different than their progressions from Nero versions to the current Nero 7. They keep adding on to keep current as well as fixing the bugs.
You can repeat yourself in bold print as often as you wish and keep un-unsubscribing, but it still won't make your misleading assertions correct. The link: http://www.videohelp.com/tools?changelog=19 , was mostly about bug fixes. Sounds like you misinterpreted what was meant by updating for new drives. A lot was for making the app more user friendly and for being able for drives to fully utilize new features, such as DL burning and lightscribe. I didn't see where those updates addressed a particular drive, but the app incorporated features the drives could use. Not a lot different than them adding photo printing features for inkjet printers.
This message has been edited since posting. Last time this message was edited on 8. February 2006 @ 10:09
|
AfterDawn Addict
6 product reviews
|
8. February 2006 @ 09:20 |
Link to this message
|
You do have to pay to upgrade from Nero 6 to Nero 7 but the Nero 6 oem suite 3 is updatable to v6.6.0.18 just like Nero ultra. I don't have Nero 7 but from what I've read the only real advantage is better support for DL burning. Imgburn does an excellent job of burning DL media and it is FREE.
Rig #1 Asus Rampage Formula Mobo, Intel Core2Quad Q9450 CPU @ 3.55ghz, 2gb Corsair DDR2 1066 Dominator Ram @ 5-5-5-15, TR Ultra 120 Extreme w/ Scythe 9 blade 110 cfm 120mm Fan HSF, HIS Radeon 512mb HD3850 IceQ TurboX GPU, Corsair 620HX P/S, CM Stacker 830 Evo Case, Rig #2 Asus P5W DH Deluxe Mobo, Intel C2D E6600 CPU @ 3.6ghz, 2gb Corsair XMS2 DDR2 800 Ram @ 4-4-4-12-2t, Zalman CNPS9500LED HSF, Sapphire Radeon X850XT PE GPU, Corsair 620HX P/S, Cooler Master Mystique Case, Viewsonic 20.1" Widescreen Digital LCD Monitor, Klipsch Promedia Ultra 5.1 THX Desktop Speakers, http://valid.x86-secret.com/show_oc.php?id=348351 http://valid.x86-secret.com/show_oc.php?id=236435 |
Senior Member
|
8. February 2006 @ 09:47 |
Link to this message
|
A firmware update is so that a drive can handle newer media. The manufacture of the drive tests them against newer media and figures out the best write stratagies for that particular set of media. When they get enough updates, they put out a firmware revision. Sometimes they include faster burn speeds for media. Usually all an update of firmware log from the manufacture will just state "updated to handle newer media".
Software is updated for the same reason, and to fix bugs. Newer drives and media came out since the drive in question was made. Many times you will not notice a change for a firmware update, but if you are many versions behind, updating firmware could get you back to buring with media that failed to burn before. Same thing with software versions, and Nero comes to mind on this one. A burn log will not recognize a drive and be part of the cause for a failed burn. Update to latests version and they are burning again. Ive seen it happen in many cases. My LG 4166B didn't have a firmware update, or was even listed at the firmware page for over 6 months. Finally they came out with a 1.01 and listed the drive. Wasn't having problems before, and am not having them with the update either.
Die CMC Mag!!! |
|
aabbccdd
Suspended permanently
|
8. February 2006 @ 09:48 |
Link to this message
|
|
dvd decrypter does a great job also on DL
|
|
brobear
Suspended permanently
|
8. February 2006 @ 09:56 |
Link to this message
|
The question is, did you have a drive that Nero wouldn't work with? Granted and older version isn't going to burn DL or do lightscribe. That is support for new features. Let's use some common sense, there's a lot of old software we don't use because of features, it's new vs old tech. The discussion was on problems that cause burn issues. MaxBurn just discussed that issue. Firmware is what deals with burn strategies and some drive functionality. Software needs updated to add support for features, but it doesn't affect the firmware of the drives. Software is for system interface, whereas firmware is onboard and drive specific.
|
|
Advertisement
|
|
|
|
brobear
Suspended permanently
|
8. February 2006 @ 09:59 |
Link to this message
|
aabbccdd
... and ImgBurn is the burn software portion of DVD Decrypter. LUK is still able to support the burn software.
|
