Update the firmware of your DVD recorder
It is quite important to regularly update the firmware of your DVD recorder. Firmware updates can significantly improve the recording quality of your recorder and add compatibility for more DVD±RW media. Basically the firmware contains a database of media types and the settings/tunings for the specified media, that the recorder will use as you burn discs. Typically if the disc is unknown to the recorder, the recorder will apply a generic recording tunings, which often leads to sub-optimal burn quality and/or less than maximum recording speeds.
Usually the firmware update procedure involves downloading a firmware updater software manufacturer, running the updater and rebooting the PC after the procedure is complete. Most CD/DVD recording programs can show your current firmware version or you can use Nero CD-DVD Speed to check it out. If your firmware is older than provided on manufacturer’s website, then an update is strongly recommended.
BitBurners.com contains an archive of firmware update pages for the most important manufacturers. The archives are not complete, and at this point contain only the 6 largest manufacturers: Pioneer, Plextor, LG Electronics, Samsung, Sony NEC Optiarc and Samsung - you can find them HERE. If your recorder is not one of the listed, then go to your manufacturers website and look for their support or download pages.
If you think an important firmware/manufacturer page is missing from the list, then use the comment feature to tell us about it (post the URL) and we will add it to the archive.
Here’s some manufacturers you’ve missed:
NEC (http://support.necam.com/Optical/downloads/FlashFirmware/)
HP
(http://h20180.www2.hp.com/apps/Nav?h_pagetype=s-001&h_lang=en&h_cc=uk&h_product=304663&h_client=S-A-R135-1&h_page=hpcom&lang=en&cc=uk)
Philips
(http://www.support.philips.com/support/html/index_gb_en.html#../~scripts/xsltransformsearch.asp?url=http://www.sms.philips.com/catalogue/list?sid=SMS||type=CONSUMER||locale=gb_en||mode=prods||item=INTERNAL_DVD_REWRITER_SU||page=1||show=50&xsl=search_result.xsl)
Toshiba
(http://www.storage.toshiba.eu/index.php?id=47)
All of these links aren’t probably the most direct links, but at least they are pretty close. I hope this helps a bit.
Anyway, great job guys!
NEC is already covered by Optiarc. I added Philips, which uses their Intelligen Agent live updater software. Also added Toshiba SDD.