Dual layer DVD burners

[negtopside]

i know there has been a long wait on dual layer dvd burners. Ive been asking arround and i havent got any real answers. one of my friends told me that for most current burneres its just going to be a firmware update for a small fee. I really dont see how that would work just because why would companies want to basically loose money from a firmware update. They would get more money by selling the new burners seprate. I know they are planning to be released sometime this year. If anyone has any input on this please post, im sure im not the only one who is wanting to know.

[kct2]

If new dual layer burners also work at a significantly faster speed I could see firmware upgrades possibly being offered for compatible burners. If they do offer an fee-based upgrade people who would normally not upgrade at all, may purchase the software upgrade; and the people who would buy a new drive for the spped will buy a new drive anyway.

If new dual layer drives work at the same speed, and therefore the only reason to buy a new one would be to get dual layer support, don't expect a firmware upgrade.


At this point, all I have seen is that a firmware upgrade is POSSIBLE for some current drives (Pioneer demonstrated dual-layer burning using a firmware modified A06 drive). That doesn't mean every drive will work, or any manufacture will make firmware upgrades available.

It may come down to hacked (unofficial) firmware, as Pioneer has already demonstrated, it can work. Obviously Pioneer's engineers have a significant advantage over firmware hackers, but once dual-layer drives are out I wouldn't expect it take long for hacked firmwares to show up (if the manufacture's don't make them available).