Pioneer has announced that many of its DVD-R/RW computer drives and DVD recorders will require a firmware update in order to avoid potential damage to the units and discs when using the 4X for DVD-R and 2X for DVD-RW as recently approved by the DVD Forum: "The source of the problem is a firmware "bug" in certain Pioneer DVD-R/RW recorders and drives, and not with the high-speed media itself. As a result, use of the new high-speed discs for recording on these particular Pioneer products may cause damage to both the loaded disc and to the drive/recorder." It affects the following models: Pioneer DVR-7000, PRV-9000 Professional DVD recorder, DVR-A03, DVR-103, DVR-A04, and the DVR-104 and all users "should conduct the free firmware update immediately, prior to using the new high-speed media." Apple has not yet released a firmware update for its SuperDrives (found in Macs), which are also affected by the the same problem when using the new high-speed media.

by MacNN Staff