Pioneer A07 1.18 firmware question

[hydrogen]

When I updated my Pioneer A07 drive to the the 1.18 firmware from the 1.12 firmware, I have noticed randomly the drive will make a high pitch noise when reading a burned dvd. It happens doing a nero dvd speed transfer rate test, surface scan test, and file test. I can't remember if it was there with the 1.12 firmware.

Has anyone else noticed this high pitched noise, that happens randomly, when reading a burned dvd? It's a very odd noise. It doesn't happen very much.

Also, is it normal for the inner dye to be a darker color than the outer part when burning an 8x disc? I think it's dark when it's burning at 6x and then when it goes to 8x, it goes to a lighter color. It's not dark for very long. I didn't notice the color difference until I looked at one under the light. These are Cmc 8x dvd-r discs. They seem to be good discs.

The buffer from the drive dropping to 10% when changing from 6x to 8x is scary. I'm using Nero 6.6.0.3. I use to burn only 4x discs, so that's different for me.

[Gen-An]

Yes, the difference in color between portions of the disc burned at different speeds is normal. The A07 uses Zone-CLV for 8x burning so it burns at 6x for about the first 0.5GB or so then jumps to 8x for the rest of the disc.

[hydrogen]

Thank you Gen-An.

That's good to know that it is normal.