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Question About Flashing Firmware for LiteOn CD-RW

PrinceXizor

PrinceXizor

Platinum Member
I just got one of the hotdeal Buslink CD-RW's with the "smartburn" logo and an LTR p/n

So...what are the reasons I should flash the firmware to LiteOn.

How do I do this...and

What makes LiteOn firmware so much better than what's on there now (since its a LTR p/n)

P-X

P.S. I searched for threads on this, so if there already is one, just post the link to that thread. Thanks! P-X
 
"if it ain't broken, don't fix it"

unless there's added functionality (not likely) then you probably don't need to/shouldn't
 
That's my feelings of course. But everyone gets so hot and bothered over "its a LiteOn" and returns and such...so...why does everyone want a LiteOn model, and why flash the firmware to make it completely like a Lite-On....there has to be some reason....
 
Originally posted by: eklass
"if it ain't broken, don't fix it"

unless there's added functionality (not likely) then you probably don't need to/shouldn't
Click to expand...

Do you know what you're talking about? I saw another comment of yours in the cpu-related thread in which you stated that using prime95 to test stability is a big mistake because the program puts out errors even for your "good" system. Stop giving out wrong information.

Now back to the question:

One of the main advantages of upgrading the firmware is media compatibility. Depending on the type of optical media (cd-r/cd-rw), Lite-on drives determines the fastest and yet safest buring speed (smart-burn). This is determined by the information contained in the firmware. Since there are hundreds of diff. media brands/types of media, a more current firmware will allow you to take a full advantage of the media's maximum writing capability. Without the current firmware, the Lite-On may have problems writing certain media rated at 48x at full speed. I suggest you take a look here for more information on updating your firmware and for any other troubleshooting relating to the drive.
 
Thanks (I haven't read the link yet, so if this is answere, my apologies)...flashing firmware gives upgraded compatability. Great! But why does everyone clamor about LiteOn's specifically. Everyone has buffer underrun protection (nowadays) whether its got a copyrighted name like "smartburn" or not.

I assume the big deal is that LiteOn's firmware is newest/best and thus has the best buffer underrun, the most accurate media detection and therefore the best/fastest burn times. I also heard one reason is that LiteOn's specific firmware does an accurate electronic copy of the data sectors, accurate enough that it can enable copying of Game CD's (thus its popularity). Any comments?

P-X
 
Buffer underrun protection is not same as smart-burn. Smart-burn will actually adjust the writing speed based on the media quality whereas the buffer underrun protection will disregard the media quality but ensure that data stream does not fall behind the laser that's burning the CD.

I wouldn't say Lite-on has the best buffer underrun protection as other brands' buffer underrun protection is just as effective as Lite-on's. I wouldn't say that it has the most accurate media detection and is the fastest burner either. As you've mentioned, one of the reasons it's very popular is its ability to copy certain copy-protected media. However, I think the bigger reason is its performance/features to price ratio. But currently, most other brands have similar, if not better, features as Lite-on does so the price becomes a key factor. Being one of the largest ODD manufacturers in the world, Lite-on has been selling its drives in large quantities at lesser price (you can see it the hotdeals forum in which there's thread on super-cheap deals on Lite-on or its clone drives). Another reason (probably more important than the features/price) is its overclockability. By flashing the firmware to a faster model, you can actually increase its maximum writing speed. For example, I bought a 40x lite-on that's been flashed to write at 52x. I have another driver that was 48x and now 52x. There are better burners out there that can rip the music faster or are more quiet than Lite-on's but for many, lite-on's price/performance/features/overclockability is just hard to beat.
 
Originally posted by: PrinceXizor
I just got one of the hotdeal Buslink CD-RW's with the "smartburn" logo and an LTR p/n

So...what are the reasons I should flash the firmware to LiteOn.

How do I do this...and

What makes LiteOn firmware so much better than what's on there now (since its a LTR p/n)

P-X

P.S. I searched for threads on this, so if there already is one, just post the link to that thread. Thanks! P-X
Click to expand...

So they come out with new firmware for no reason? No added functionality. thats is ASS A 9!

 
um...whatever...my question isn't about new updated firmware, it was about flashing a CD-RW which is already 52X 24X 52X Buslink, to a different FirmWare (LiteOn). Why go through this? I see lots of people clamoring about it, and little actual info on the benefits. So far, I have seen...

1. Flashing to a LiteOn firmware enable faster writing than the drive was labeled at. In otherwords kind of a software overclock in a sense.
2. The specific firmware developed by LiteOn enables the copying of certain copyrighted media.

Are there any other USEFUL contributions to this thread?

P-X
 
Originally posted by: PrinceXizor
um...whatever...my question isn't about new updated firmware, it was about flashing a CD-RW which is already 52X 24X 52X Buslink, to a different FirmWare (LiteOn). Why go through this? I see lots of people clamoring about it, and little actual info on the benefits. So far, I have seen...

1. Flashing to a LiteOn firmware enable faster writing than the drive was labeled at. In otherwords kind of a software overclock in a sense.
2. The specific firmware developed by LiteOn enables the copying of certain copyrighted media.

Are there any other USEFUL contributions to this thread?

P-X
Click to expand...

ok, first off, here is a link the Club CDFreaks forum LiteOn forum:

http://club.cdfreaks.com/forumdisplay.php?forumid=44

excellent threads here regarding liteon and liteon OEMs. and here is their thread regarding firmwares and flashing. also recommended reading for those interested:

http://club.cdfreaks.com/showthread.php?threadid=42502

and here is liteon's firmware page. they just released a new firmware for the 52x version to add more media support:

http://www.liteonit.com.tw/english/english-load-firmware.htm

USEFUL enough for ya!?
 
Thanks (I haven't read the link yet, so if this is answere, my apologies)...flashing firmware gives upgraded compatability. Great! But why does everyone clamor about LiteOn's specifically. Everyone has buffer underrun protection (nowadays) whether its got a copyrighted name like "smartburn" or not.
Click to expand...
I think because flashing firmware holds a bit of mystique over people. I admit, I was a flash fanatic the first several motherboards I had. I can't explain why, it has an addicting property, whatever it is.

Of course an ODM drive supplier is not only going to supply its drives but also their firmware. There is an extremely good chance the firmware is also supplied by Lite-On. My Cendyne made by Lite-On didn't even have OEM customizations, it posted as a Lite-On, appeared as Lite-On in Device Manager, reported a Lite-On firmware version, it even had a Lite-On OEM emblem on the drive.

But instead of waiting for a rebranded hardware vendor like Cendyne to post the latest firmware, which is often months behind the release schedule (sometimes up to one year behind), might as well go to the source and get the latest from Lite-On.
 
Being a newbie at flashing a Rebadged Cendyne 52x24x52 cdrw drive, what is the easiest way to go about it.

It seems I have a ASUS drive model#CRW-5224A. I downloaded the newest firmware from the ASUS website and tried to launch the program in Winxp but it says that it cannot find the ASUS drive. Its true because the comp sees it as a Cendyne.

What is the next step??

LMK
 
Make sure you have a drive made by Asus. How did you come to the conclusion that your drive is mfg. by Asus? (not by Lite-on or BenQ)
 
The model# is CRW-5224A for the 52x24x52 Cendyne drive. I was wondering the same if it was an ASUS or Aopen. They both have the same model number on the website except for the "A" at the end that the Aopen didn't have.

One of the members on the forum said it was an ASUS.

Thoughts.
 
"A" doesn't mean much to me. Mine has "A" on it but it's by Lite-on. There should another model number/name on the sticker (on the box).
 
Wow, this thread was resurrected from the dead. Stupid thing is still sitting on my desk waiting to be installed in the new computer I haven't built yet because I have no money...ah well, such is life.

P-X
 
On the UPC Code: 31DM359900

According to one of the members who posted in the Hot Deals forum, he said this:
Model #
LTR-52246S = Lite-On
CRW-5224A = Asus
CRW 5224P = BenQ


Thoughts.
 
Your looking in the wrong spot, its not going to be on the UPC code, to my knowledge. It should either be stamped or silkscreened on the back end of the actual unit. It might also be on a small sticker too. But the number you want will actually be phsyically ON the drive. At least it was for mine.

P-X
 
I checked Cendyne website under firmware and if the serial# is 10 digits, it points to the asus download.

See here under CDICD00173
here

LMK
 
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