SONY DRU-500A (DVD+R, DVD+RW, DVD-R, DVD-RW, CD-R, CD-RW)
SPECIFICATIONS
DVD+R Write speed 2.4x 4x
DVD-R Write speed 1x 2x 4x
DVD+RW Write speed 2.4x
DVD-RW Write speed 1x 2x
DVD Read speed 8x
CD-R Write speed 4x 12x 16x 24x Zone CLV
CD-RW Rewrite speed 4x 10x
CD Read speed 32x
DVD Access time 200ms
CD Access time 160ms
Buffer size 8 MB
FIRMWARE
A firmware-upgrade usually fixes bugs or adds enhancements.
For motherboards with Intel chipset, it is adviced to first uninstall Intel Application Accelerator driver (IAA; if you have installed it) before flashing (IAA driver can be re-installed later).
2.1a Firmware Upgrade for DRU-500A, DRU-500AX, DRX-500UL and DRX-500ULX.
Changes:
  • Improves reading and writing performance and reliability
  • Reduces vibration noise for the discs with unbalance or eccentricity
  • Improves audio playback on written discs with stand alone systems
  • Improves reading and writing performance with 8cm DVD-R/RW
  • Increases readability with Recordable Double Layer Disc
2.0h Firmware Upgrade for DRU-500A, DRU-500AX, DRX-500UL and DRX-500ULX.
Changes:
  • Improves read performance
  • Improves write performance
2.0g Firmware Upgrade for DRU-500A, DRU-500AX, DRX-500UL and DRX-500ULX.
Changes:
  • Allows your Dual RW drive to record at 4X on 4X compatible DVD-/+R media
  • Improves reading and writing performance and reliability
  • Reduces vibration noise for the discs with unbalance or eccentricity
  • Improves audio playback on written discs with stand alone systems
  • Improves reading and writing performance with 8cm DVD-R/RW
2.0f Firmware Upgrade for DRU-500A, DRU-500AX, DRX-500UL and DRX-500ULX.
Changes:
  • Support of more media
  • Improvement of reading efficiency
  • Quiet operation whith media with eccentricity problems
  • Improved playback compatibility of produced Audio CD
2.0e Firmware Upgrade for DRU-500A, DRU-500AX, DRX-500UL and DRX-500ULX.
Changes:
  • Allows your Dual RW drive to record at 4X on 4X compatible DVD+R media
  • Improves reading and writing performance and reliability
  • Reduces vibration noise for the discs with unbalance or eccentricity
Warning! This firmware does NOT allow That's Write 1x media to be written on 2x anymore.
1.0g Changes:
  • Allows record at 4X on 4X compatible DVD+R media
  • Improve the DVD-ROM reading performance with DVD recordable/rewritable media
1.0f Changes:
  • See version 1.0e
1.0e Changes:
  • Allow record at 4X on 4X compatible DVD+R media
  • Improve the DVD-ROM reading performance with DVD recordable/rewritable media
1.0d Changes:
  • Improve read and write speed
  • Provides enhanced writing compatibility with DVD recordable/rewritable media
LINKS
Sony DRU-500A download page
Ebi's media compatibility overview
Sony media compatibility statement
DVDplusRW.org DVD+RW DVD-player compatibility list