Optorite DVD DD0203 +/- RW Only $107 New Firmware Out

[iahk]

You can skip the mystery 2.25 firmware and try the mystery 2.30 firmware. Seriously, they need to list some changes. Who wants to be the guinea pig and try it out? I guess this one supposedly fixes a CD-R reading bug the 2.23 introduced?

Optorite firmware page

 

[iahk]

ignore my double post.

 

[hypeMarked]

How do you check for firmware version? by opening the DV2Flash again and look at the Device F/W version? If so, then I have already flash the drive to 2.30 and didn't know about it until now. Do you know what's a good DVD to test the drive? Thanks

 

[pxc]

LOL I just flashed 2.30 to my Lite-On 52732 and my DD0201. Maybe I shouldn't go flashing firmware when I'm tired.

MtkWinFlash works great for firmware recovery. BTW, the LTR-52732 also has a new QS0C firmware available too (11/25/03 "Solve Sub-Channel data reading error problem"). I wondered why C1/C2 errors weren't being read right before.

 

[MrNutz]

i just looked over at the firmware forums and it looks like the 2.25 FW doesn't fix the CDr bug.

No word on the 2.30 FW

 

[outsiderGT]

I dont recommend this drive... the flash utilities sucks, the company has no support... and the drive works well when it wants too and you can tell by the reviews people give it. I would recommend the Pioneer 106 drive... $125 and perfect burns everytime.

 

[pxc]

Originally posted by: outsiderGT
I dont recommend this drive... the flash utilities sucks, the company has no support... and the drive works well when it wants too and you can tell by the reviews people give it. I would recommend the Pioneer 106 drive... $125 and perfect burns everytime.

I criticize the drive a lot, but it's not that bad if you stick to the short recommended media list and can ignore a couple of glaring bugs. I don't think it's possible to use this drive as the only drive installed in the system and be happy with it. I only use it for burning DVDs and I have a Lite-On for music CDs, burning CD-R/RW media and reading CDs.

You're right about a lack of support. Optorite depends 100% on Sanyo for the firmware updates and it's pretty clear since the DD0201/DD0203 have been released that Sanyo isn't really up to supporting these drives properly. It's possible that eventually Sanyo will get in gear and start adding a reasonable number of media types to the firmware updates, but I'm not holding my breath. Since the Pioneer 106/A06 has dropped in price recently, an extra $20 to $25 over this drive is money well spent.

 

[Krakn3Dfx]

Originally posted by: outsiderGT
I dont recommend this drive... the flash utilities sucks, the company has no support... and the drive works well when it wants too and you can tell by the reviews people give it. I would recommend the Pioneer 106 drive... $125 and perfect burns everytime.

I've had zero problems with my Optorite drive, and I've used some pretty obscure media in it.

I've also burn alot of 1x media at 3x in it without any problems. I can't complain, and I bought the drive when they were $180.

 

[RaNd0m]

Originally posted by: Krakn3Dfx

Originally posted by: outsiderGT
I dont recommend this drive... the flash utilities sucks, the company has no support... and the drive works well when it wants too and you can tell by the reviews people give it. I would recommend the Pioneer 106 drive... $125 and perfect burns everytime.

I've had zero problems with my Optorite drive, and I've used some pretty obscure media in it.

I've also burn alot of 1x media at 3x in it without any problems. I can't complain, and I bought the drive when they were $180.

I second that opinion - no problems. I had it since it was around $160 as well.

 

[RaNd0m]

delete me!

 

[RaNd0m]

double posted!

 

[MrNutz]

Here is a firmware history compilation by peachee over at the firmware forums.

Firmware History?:
2.07 original shipped FW?
2.11 allows 8 meg buffer to be used.
2.16 adds more media compatibility?
2.17 for the DD0201 drive, accidently put out for DD0203, later taken off.
2.23 solves DVD-R recognition, breaks CDR recognition.
2.25 does something or nothing (no one knows).
2.30 solves CDR recognition.

It looks like FW ver 2.30 solves most of the problems that have come up so far.

Also, here's a post from someone claiming to be Optorite's support about adding firmware version descriptions to their website.

Link

 

[easystreet]

My Optowrite203 has been burning flawlessly. But, the new batch of Memorex+R isn't Ricoh it was CMC Magnetics which wasn't recognized(insert media) by the drive. With great trepidation I flashed to the new 2.30 firmware and the CMC media was recognized and burned successfully.

 

[MrNutz]

Does anyone use their opto with Record Now Max?

I am trying to find a better alternative to Nero for burning backups, but I keep getting this error:

error -10 at sector 16-command:2a sense:FF ASC:FF ASCQ:30

I think it may have to do with the new FW... is anyone using Record Now to burn and using FW ver 2.30?