masterpug
26th November 2003, 18:42
Many have wondered, but here's the scoop. If you are having problems with power calibration error AND you have recent firmware upgrades with the sony 500a dvdrw, then all you have to do is roll back your firmware to 1.0F and all is well, including 4x write w/no probs and perfect set top playback. Other earlier firmware versions may also work, but that's the one I had so I used it. I rolled back from the latest 2.0g. what's the point of firmware upgrades you ask? well, in sony's case they try to address media and write speed compatibility issues. however, along with the that they also do things like MAKE the drive INCOMPATIBLE with media that they don't want to support. For example, Princo's that for awhile had a fake TDK logo ID. For whatever reason, the latest firmware upgrades makes the sony 500a laser much more picky about what media it will write to. If you get the power calibration error, 99.9% of the time it's not a laser/drive failure in any way! Bottom line, if it's not broke, don't try to fix it...so if you were having success with a media type before OR were never getting the power calibration error before, then go back! You can always go forward again with a firmware upgrade as needed.