Sony DRU500A 1.0E Firmware Released!

[ajp32]

Check it out...

http://sony.storagesupport.com/dvdrw/drx500uldwn.htm

[Kennyshin]

And http://sony.storagesupport.com/dvdrw/dru500adwn.htm for DRU-500A.

[chon_wang]

weird. when i clicked on the updater, it gave me a sendcom.dll error. does anyone have this problem?

[Kennyshin]

You mean you couldn't download the updater file? I had no problem though I do not own the drive.

[SonyUser]

weird. when i clicked on the updater, it gave me a sendcom.dll error. does anyone have this problem?

.... had the same problem here.... found the fix tho.....

Go get these two files (linked)

Sendcom.dll
http://sony.storagesupport.com/dvdrw/downloads/Firmware1e/Sendcom.dll

SENDCOM.vxd
http://sony.storagesupport.com/dvdrw/downloads/Firmware1e/SENDCOM.vxd

Copy both files into the same folder as the .EXE file (should now have three files). Program will now run and allow you to update the drive.

If you want all the three files all in one zip file, go here >> www.cdrwcentral.com << They found out what was wrong too.

[Kennyshin]

More direct link: http://www.cdrwcentral.com/modules.php? ... le&sid=300

[SonyUser]

Strange !!! Firmware 1.0f for DRU500A on Sony's Japan site !!

More info here http://www.vcdhelp.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=128096

[Kennyshin]

Sony Support provides FAQ for DRU-500A and DRX-500UL drives.

http://sony.storagesupport.com/cgi-bin/sonysupport.cgi/5Q3qEl6QUyS3HoBEjBYkqP5IfLIfGtSM/faq/list/44

What improvements will the 1.0e firmware upgrade give my DRU500A or DRX500L?

This new firmware will allow your Dual RW drive to record at 4X on 4X compatible DVD+R media, as well as improve the DVD-ROM reading performance with DVD recordable/rewritable media.

What DVD Media will work best with my DRU500A or my DRX500UL?

Please click here for a list of recommended media.

Why am I unable to view my burned DVD in my DVD/RW drive?

You will not be able to view a region free disc(DVD's you record yourself are region free), until a region code has been set by viewing a manufactured DVD disc that has a region code setting. Please download and review the Region code notice.

Click here for the Region Code Notice.

[SonyUser]

Go get it from Sony USA below......

http://sony.storagesupport.com/dvdrw/do ... 00a10f.zip

[gurgenpb]

Can't install teh new firmware (1.0f from teh USA site)!!! The first time i start it, it starts and says that to upgrade, you must restart computer. So i do that and start the firmware updater again, and after pressing START UPDATE, nothing happens!!!!!

Help guys. Give us your feedback.

Gurgen

[seezar]

Can't install teh new firmware (1.0f from teh USA site)!!! The first time i start it, it starts and says that to upgrade, you must restart computer. So i do that and start the firmware updater again, and after pressing START UPDATE, nothing happens!!!!!

Help guys. Give us your feedback.

Gurgen

It went fine for me, but I also made sure I followed Sony's instructions very carefully. Did you make sure to turn off DMA mode for the drive? What OS are you running?

Sonys instructions on what to do before doing the update:

When using Windows 2000 or Windows XP, log on to Windows as the computer administrator or as a user with administrator access privileges.

If you are installing The Intel® Application Accelerator (Intel Ultra ATA Storage Driver) in your computer, uninstall Intel Application Accelerator from the PC before executing firmware update. *Intel Application Accelerator (Intel Ultra ATA Storage Driver) may be pre-installed in some computers manufactured by Dell Computer.

Before executing firmware update, uninstall any packet writing software, such as [DLA], [DirectCD], [B's CLiP] etc, from the PC.

If you are using the DRU-500A, disable [DMA setting] in Windows before executing firmware update. For details, refer to [Help and Support] in Windows.

[gurgenpb]

Thanks seezar.

Now that I did turn off the DMA (forgot to do it at first - but I did unistall all the packetwriting software that I had), it worked. Burning a movie at 4x ont he new ritek 4x media (DVD-r, in jewelcase, purchased from meritline.com for $3.09 each).

Will let you guys kwno if any problems. This drive is awesome. My first 4x burn is finishing up as I am typing this. Great to have a disk in 15minutes!!!

Gurgen

[seezar]

Thanks seezar.

Now that I did turn off the DMA (forgot to do it at first - but I did unistall all the packetwriting software that I had), it worked. Burning a movie at 4x ont he new ritek 4x media (DVD-r, in jewelcase, purchased from meritline.com for $3.09 each).

Will let you guys kwno if any problems. This drive is awesome. My first 4x burn is finishing up as I am typing this. Great to have a disk in 15minutes!!!

Gurgen

Good to hear it finally worked. The strange thing about disabling DMA for this firmware update is that it didnt have to be done with the previous update from 1.0c to 1.0d. I can't wait to try out some 4x media on my drive. I've been very pleased with this Sony so far.

[gurgenpb]

Just tested out my 4x DVD burn referenced above. Works fine in my dvd drive and plays back the movie (it seems) without a hitch. Here is the nero dvdspeed shot - very good - I think.



The drop offs correspond to RPM dropoffs, thats from using the computer and starting other programs while the test was ruinning. No quality related slowdowns. Incidentally, this test was done onmy 163D. The same (without a hitch) test was done on the 500A, and the read speed was indeed capped at 4x.

Gurgen

[Stereodude]

I can now burn my crappy $.84 1x blanks at 2x. w00t!

Stereodude

[gurgenpb]

I can now burn my crappy $.84 1x blanks at 2x. w00t!

Stereodude

Which crappy 1x's are these? Princo? Ritek?

[Stereodude]

Which crappy 1x's are these? Princo? Ritek?

100 Pack 4.7GB Accu DVD-R ACU-DVDR4.7G-100 (Silver/Purple) Media

Stereodude

[gurgenpb]

thanks superdude

But how is the reading quality? Do you get a nice smooth reading curve in Nero DVDspeed.

Thanks a lot
Gurgen