Pioneer A04 showing signs of age?

[mnlgw001]

I, like many other users have had my share of problems with DVD-R compatibility. I eventually found a way of burning which was resulted in 100% compatibity with the cheep "Choice" DVD's I was using (I'll not go into the method here, as that isn't the issue). After at least 50 good copies, I then found that I was starting to get problems with jumping and freezing using the same method and disks when played on some standalones.

I change my media type to "Neo Premium" (Ritek G03), which fixed the problem. I have burnt at least 75 of these disks successfully but am now starting to get similar problems again.
It would appear to me that my burner is deteriorating. Maybe the laser output is reducing or perhaps the lens is getting dirty, but surely the power calibration should take care of this, or at least detect errors.

Anyone having similar problems or think of anything that may be causing it? Even more important - any suggestions on how to fix it?

[Camd00d]

Have you tried a lens cleaner?

[mnlgw001]

Ive tried one of the DVD cleaners with small bristles on the spinning disc, but that didnt play the same as it does in a standalone player. On a standalone player, the screen says its "now cleaning" and eventually it stops automatically. It just hangs up using PowerDVD on PC. No noticable difference afterwards.
I have been advised against using cotton buds / achohol as it may result in damage.
Is there an alternative safe way of cleaning the lens?

[humet]

I have the same problem as mnlgw001, any fix would be REALLY useful.

[gooki]

Heat could be your killer.

Make sure that A04 is well ventilated. Additionally I presume you are writing to the Ritek G03 at 1x speed. If you are using 2x speed change back to 1x.

[mnlgw001]

I have had a bit of success by updating my firmware. Sounds odd but it has definitely helped. The link below is a forum on the subject.


http://forum.firmware-flash.com/viewtopic.php?t=9797&sid=e6da7bf9d6d1854479a6d5a5c254533c

The link below is to the firmware download site.

http://homepage.ntlworld.com/sccs.ltd/pioneer2x4all/


Thanks for the tip about heat by the way. I do have extra fans in front of my 2 hard drives which are below my CD writer and Pioneer A04. I will swap the CD and A04 so that A04 is closer to the fan to see if that helps.

[humet]

Thanks a lot mnlgw001, my DVDs now burn perfectly after applying that firmware. I can even burn at 2x perfectly now as well! :D

Thanks

Humet