BenQ offers dual format firmware for DW800A but not for free
Posted on 17/01/04 19:37 by Dennis                             
BenQ offers dual format firmware for DW800A but not for free

Last month we reported that BenQ was investigating the possibility to introduce a firmware for their DW800A DVD+R recorder that would turn the drive into a dual format recorder. Now, thanks to chin, we can read that BenQ will indeed release the firmware but it will not be a free upgrade. If you want to upgrade your DW800A recorder to a dual format drive you will have to pay US$ 10. This is because of the royalty fee for usage of the DVD-R & DVD-RW formats:

Starting on January 15, 2004, for a once off US$ 10 fee. You can download firmware to reflash your BenQ DW800A DVD+RW to a DVD-R/RW capable drive. Reflashing the firmware is easy! So, try the "+" DVD format first, and if you decide that you would like to have the DVD-R/RW function later on, then the BenQ DW800A can still meet your needs.

ATTENTION: The charge for the DVD-R/RW supported firmware is due to the royalty fee incurred for usage of the DVD-R & DVD-RW format. As such, the purchased firmware should be used for one drive ONLY. For each successful transaction, a Serial Number (S/N) will be provided in order to activate the downloaded firmware. Each S/N is entitled to ONE ACTIVATION ONLY and NON-REFUNDABLE.

For more information please read the FAQ posted at the BenQ website. If you want to purchase the firmware upgrade then you can use this page. Comments are of course welcome! Would you be willing to pay US$ 10 for a firmware upgrade? Please react below!

Source: BenQ

Reactions
Discuss this article with your fellow community members! We appreciate your valuable input, but please keep the reaction policy in mind and make sure your reaction is constructive.
By RaWShadow, Saturday 17 January 2004 19:40
What if something goes wrong? They should have made it 3 activations.
By Prox2001, Saturday 17 January 2004 22:35
hmm. If you pay for it, are they responsible if the flash goes bad?
By Weshy, Saturday 17 January 2004 23:31
Don't know how this will work. If they release frirmware updates separate for the "new" drive, then people with the old drive simply need to extract the bin file and flash their drive appropriately. Or am I wrong?
By katastrofe, Sunday 18 January 2004 00:01
Yep, it seems the only way they can do it - give you the f/w with an encrypted windows app around it and no protection once it's on the drive - unless it incorporates a check (like the ones which won't let you downgrade the f/w of some drives) - but that would seem a really bad idea for future updates. I'd say anyone who is prepared to go the not so easy way could get this for free!! devil
By JC666, Sunday 18 January 2004 00:56
NU Tech offers dual format firmware for their DDW-81 and it is for free. It will be interesting to see how this plays out.devil
By JC666, Sunday 18 January 2004 00:56
doublepost
[edited by G@M3FR3@K on 18.01.2004 11:52]
By JC666, Sunday 18 January 2004 00:56
doublepost
[edited by G@M3FR3@K on 18.01.2004 11:53]
By JC666, Sunday 18 January 2004 00:56
doublepost
[edited by G@M3FR3@K on 18.01.2004 11:53]
By rigga, Sunday 18 January 2004 01:02
I hope LiteOn does this for the 401s
By Hypnosis4U2NV, Sunday 18 January 2004 10:43
Hypnosis4U2NVHell, Ill give $ 10 to make my 811S a 8x DVD-R burner..
By radfaraf, Sunday 18 January 2004 18:53
Seems fair if it really costs them something other than their time to provide this upgrade. Better for them to offer it with a small cost then to say no it costs us money so we won't offer it at all.
By Sunwish, Monday 19 January 2004 11:59
I checked their FAQ and look like there will be continuous version updated for Dual series. ------------------------------------------------- Q: Where can I download an updated firmware version, if any? A: Any updated firmware will be downloaded via this path: http://Global.BenQ.com é  Service & Support é  Driver é  DVD ReWriter é  DW800A DVD-R/RW f/w update. -------------------------------------------Smilie
By Sunwish, Monday 19 January 2004 12:02
Another FAQ for the activation I've checked ---------------------------------- Q: How many times can I use one serial number to activate the flash tool? A: 1 serial number = 1 successful activation. After 3 consecutive unsuccessful verification attempts, the flash tool program will be terminated automatically. You must turn on the firmware flash tool again for serial number verification. ----------------------------------------- Smilie
By misterxdvd, Monday 19 January 2004 13:04
There are lots of companies that wouldn't bother offering an upgrade like this , but BenQ gives you a choice. If you are not interested you won't have to buy it and you can still keep using the normal firmware upgrades. I prefer it that a company i buy stuff from gives me a choice. Because they have to pay royalty fees themselves to add this function , i think it's normal they charge a small amount for it. It's adds a significant new function so it's well worth it in my opinion . My DW800A already supports booktype management officially , which is not seen in many drives, so it's a worthwhile investment. supergrinsupergrin
By franken954, Tuesday 20 January 2004 13:03
Well, i'm glad that they made a firmware for this drive to also support -. I bought this drive as a + and now I have the choice to make it both, and guess what, I already did! Works like a charm. I don't mind they ask 10 bucks for it because at first the drive was being sold as only +.Smilie Yep, i'm a happy puppy! Stick Out Tongue
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