Any way to make my Philips 2X DVD+RW into a DVD+/-RW

[dude8604]

I know sometimes there are drives that just need a new firmware to be able to do this. Can it be done on this drive? Apparently it's a Ricoh OEM drive.

edit: It's a Philips SDVD6004. It came with my Dell Inspiron 8500. link

 

[crypticlogin]

Since you know that some drives can do it, then you also know the legal and licensing issues involved. I don't think this is the place to discuss that.

 

[dude8604]

I know that there are legal issues with breaking region encoding, but I've never heard of legal issues with using a different firmware.

 

[crypticlogin]

The legalality I'm referring to is when you use a firmware that's able to write to the -R/RW format, Ricoh never paid the DVD Forum for the licensing or royalties on that particular drive.

 

[dude8604]

Ok, thanks for the info. If the mods want to lock this thread, that's fine.

 

[Sid59]

Originally posted by: dude8604
Ok, thanks for the info. If the mods want to lock this thread, that's fine.

eh, i don't think this is a lockable thread.

i highly doubt your older dvd burner can be made into multi format. sniff around for your drive's firmware. if it isnt showing up on google, 99% change you can't do what you are asking.

 

[KristopherKubicki]

First of all, there are no legal implications for updating your firmware like that. The license restrictions are for SELLING the drives not for building them for your own use (which is what you are doing essentially). If you want to modify that drive and ebay it then you will probably run into legal trouble.

Anyways, which drive are you talking about anyway? I dont think it is a rebranded unit as Philips tends to make the chipsets themselves.

Kristopher

 

[dude8604]

updated first post