Re: [Dvdrtools-users] pioneer 105 once more :)

[A E Lawrence]

gabor wrote:
> hi,

But do read and absorb the information at
http://www.pioneeraus.com.au/multimedia/software/software_files.htm
which is not linux specific, but explains the various firmware versions 
and which media is supported. Roughly: older media is supported by older 
firmware, and newer media by the most recent firmware, and they are 
mutually exclusive.

Despite what is said, people have reported that it is possible to revert 
to earlier versions of the firmware. If you are getting a drive, one of 
the first things is to see what firmware is installed.

Here is an example:-

# cdrecord dev=pioneer -v -inq
Cdrecord 2.0 (i686-pc-linux-gnu) Copyright (C) 1995-2002 J?rg Schilling
Note: this version is an inofficial (modified) version and thus may have
bugs that are not present in the original. Please send any bug report or 
supportrequest to <address@hidden>. The original cdrecord author 
has not to be bothered with problem in this version
TOC Type: 1 = CD-ROM
scsidev: '0,0,0'
scsibus: 0 target: 0 lun: 0
Linux sg driver version: 3.1.24
Using libscg version 'schily-0.7'
Driveropts: 'burnproof'
atapi: 1
Device type    : Removable CD-ROM
Version        : 0
Response Format: 2
Capabilities   :
Vendor_info    : 'PIONEER '
Identifikation : 'DVD-RW  DVR-105 '
Revision       : '1.00'
Device seems to be: Generic mmc2 DVD-R/DVD-RW.

Then you will know which sort of media to buy, or whether you want to 
change the firmware.

There has been much confusion and disinformation about all this which a 
careful reading of the information on the site above will clarify.

I use very cheap Bulkpaq (=Princo=datawrite and more) media, both DVD-R 
x1 and DVD-RW x1 with the above firmware. No failures at all. But if I 
upgrade the firmware to version 1.3, the pioneer website suggests that 
this will no longer work: in exchange I will be able to use Bulkpaq x4
media more reliably. So I won't be upgrading unless I encounter problems 
with faster media and have used up my stock of the slower media.

Hope that helps,

ael