I don't want to get anyone's hopes up, but I;m really curious to know if there will any chance that my brand new Lg 4040B is going to be able to burn the upcomming dual-layer dvds??? Did I throw my money away, by buying a dvd burner so late in the scene?
Maybe with a firmware upgrade will we be able to burn them??
If not, could anyone explain why, as a future engineer, this type of thing really interests me.
(bowing my head in nerdy shame)
Most likely you wont be able to upgrade the firmware to support dual layer, as it requires some laser optic changes to achieve dual layer burning -- unless it has been anticipated in the drive when manufactured that its laser optics could be adjusted pretty freely by firmware upgrade. My gut feeling is that dual layer firmware upgrades are going to be rare joy enjoyed by only few lucky people who happened to purchase a single layer drive that allowed upgrading.
Also, even that if the drives could be upgraded to dual layer, it is highly unlikely that manufacturers will ever release such firmware upgrades, they rather sell you a new drive -- which, admit it, you're going to buy anyway if you find out that your drive wont be upgradeable and that there's this new shiny 8x dual layer drive for just under $200 in local CompUSA ;-)
Some technical mambojambo from DVD+RW alliance, I assume it applies to DVD-RW as well:
Quote:The dual-layer DVDR system uses two thin embedded organic dye films for data storage separated by a spacer layer (see figure). Heating with a focused laser beam irreversibly modifies the physical and chemical structure of each layer such that the modified areas have different optical properties to those of their unmodified surroundings. This causes a variation in reflectivity as the disc rotates to provide a read-out signal as with commercially pressed read-only discs.
... ...
Compatibility [with existing DVD-ROM drives and DVD players] has been achieved through the use of a thin silver-alloy as reflector material in the upper layer giving a reflectivity from the layer of at least 18% in compliance with the dual-layer DVD-ROM standard. In addition, the transmission of the upper recording layer is greater than 50% to allow for read-out and recording of the lower recording layer. This layer has high power sensitivity since the upper layer absorbs and reflects part of the incoming light. It also has a much higher reflectivity (> 50%) which after double transmission through the upper layer also results in an apparent layer reflectivity (at the disc surface) of at least 18%. These high transmission and reflectivity values have been achieved through careful optimization of the dye material and deposition, groove shapes and silver deposition. In addition to optimizing reflectivity, other parameters such as signal amplitude and tracking signals were also optimized to ensure full compatibility with current DVD standards.
Is damn right. Howver, a few people believe that a firmware update for the newer drives, such as my Pioneer DVR107, will allow dual layer burning. I sure hope so :-D
Yeah, the question is really whats going to happen. I see the Dual being another scam to get a load of money out of us b4 going to Blue laser systems.
dRD - Why dont u ask Pioneer to send you one free for testing. They will send you one since you have one of the largest forums for DVD-R info. How do you think i got mine :D
I actually UNDERSTOOD that "technical mambojambo"..
How sad is that!!
The Pioneer 106 has the same laser transport mechanism as the 107, I believe it uses a piezo-crystal to adjust the focus distance, so it is possible to achieve dual-layer burning with them (subject to firmware changes - the hackers will work it out, I'm sure).
