LG DRD-8160B

[RIPSTER]

Ive had this drive for a while now, I recently installed it in to an old system to use as a temp DVD drive and I noticed it could not read DVD+R, I googled the problem and many people are experiencing it, the GRD-8163B can read DVD+R/RW fine, im wondering wether it would be safe to flash the firmware to this drives, is there a danger of the drive dying or will I be able to flash it back to 8160B if it doesnt work.

I know that drives are very cheap now and I can easily get another DVD drive but im going to be modding this drive for use as a replacement Xbox DVD drive.


thanks in advance

RIPSTER

[Jon]

Yes, there is a chance the drive could die.

If it does not, then yes, you can flash it back.

Keep in mind that flashing it back provides another chance the drive can die.

I've done several drive firmware upgrades/mods and I have bricked one NEC DVDRW. Costly mistake as it was a notebook drive.

[RIPSTER]

what is the difference between +R and -R and what determines in the firmware/Hardware what the drive can read

[Jon]

You really need to learn how to use search engines...very basic questions that are readily available anywhere (I honestly don't mean to offend).

DVD formats explained. (http://www.videohelp.com/dvd)

As far as how firmware works, it's quite simple. The hardware in DVD drives are pretty much the same across the board. The firmware is just software that allows the hardware to detect and read formatted DVDs. The formats are typically DVD-R, DVD+R, DVD-RW, DVD+RW, DVD-DL, DVD+DL, and a few others (e.g. DVD-RAM). If your firmware is not configured for -R, for example, firmware updates may be available that allows that -R to be recognized and read.