NEC warns again for ND-2500A double layer firmware updates

May 27, 2004

RexHunt used
our news submit to tell us that NEC Europe is warning users
for double layer firmware updates that are available on the internet. Recently
we reported that it was possible to upgrade a NEC ND-2500 to a NEC ND-2510. We also warned users that applying this update could cause problems when burning dual layer media as not every ND-2500 is really capable of burning a double layer disc flawlessy.

Like any other
company also NEC wants to be able to guarantee a consistent quality for their
burns and when you apply a NEC ND-2510 firmware to a NEC-2500 drive the company
can't guarantee this as the ND-2500 has never been tested as double layer drive
before it was released to consumers (this also applies to Lite-On and BenQ
updates). Before NEC issued the warning trough the website Heise.de but now the company has also put up a page on their website. The following statement (translated) has been posted:

Is it really possible to apply a firmware update to make the ND-2500A double layer capable?

In principle this is possible and in several cases this can be done without any problem. This because the internal of both the ND-2500 and the ND-2510 are pratically the same. Nevertheless does NEC warn explicitly to not apply the firmware updates that can be found on the internet.
Why does NEC warn to not load officially released firmware updates?

There is a possibility that if the unofficial firmware is not properly applied that it damages the hardware. This will void your warranty and NEC will no longer give support on your drive.
Why doesn't NEC release an official firmware to make an update for double layer possible?

For writing a DVD+R DL the laser optical head needs to be adjusted very carefully and precisely. This must been done during the manufacturing process of the device and is not possible afterwards. Therefor it's not possible to guarantee that a ND-2500 drive will write to double layer media.