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Firmware* Upgrade Information
Click on the links below to go to sites providing the most recent firmware* upgrades.
Aopen Memorex Philips Apple Mitsumi Plextor Asus MSI Sony BenQ NEC Samsung BTC NU Tascam HP Optiarc (Sony/NEC) TDK Iomega Panasonic Teac LG/Hitachi Pioneer Toshiba LiteOn
DVD +/-R Compatibility List [
50 KB] updated
DVD+R Double layer 8X compatibility list [
200 KB]
*What is firmware?All CD and DVD writers have firmware that contains basic operating instructions which enable it to write to the wide range of disc types in the marketplace. These instructions first tell the writer to identify the manufacturer and the speed capabilities of the disc. By referring to a look-up table, it finds specific writing instructions, then determines the optimum power level needed to get the best recording quality for your disc.
Drive manufacturers test recordable CD and DVD media from all of the major disc makers. These sample discs are used to find a "writing strategy" that is best suited for each media type. The writing strategy governs laser power and the on/off speed needed to optimize writing quality. In addition to using the lookup table, the optimal writing power is determined for that disc when the drive does a "test write" to a non-user area of the disc. After this information is found, the drive can finally "burn" the marks on the disc that ultimately are transformed into the 1s and 0s of your digital information.
If the firmware in the drive is incomplete or outdated, it may not record at the top rated speed and even the best media may not produce acceptable recording quality.
For help finding the firmware revision in your drive, click here