[HOWTO] Flash a new Pioneer drive on a Mac

[Satcomer]

I bought a new Pioneer 16X DL SuperDrive DVR-110D to a Pioneer 16X DL SuperDrive DVR-110 so it can not just read DVDRAM disks (like the 110D) but also writes to DVDRAM disks. This requires the latest Pioneer Firmware files.

1. First I went and downloaded the current firmware (Ver.1.37) from PIONEER Europe which is an .exe file.

2. I un-stuffed the .exe file using Stuffit Expander. You then will a folder with three files in it. I used the two files with the .137 extension.

3. I then used an application called DVRFlash. I followed the directions in the DVRFlash ReadMe requires a little knowledge of the Terminal.app.

4. I created a new desktop folder and call DVRFlash (only DVRFlash). I put the DVRFlash file in the folder I just created (on the desktop) plus the TWO files I extracted for the Pioneer firmware.. So now there are three files (the DVRFlash.app+the two firmware files) in the new folder I created called DVRFlash.

5. I opened the Terminal.app and typed cd (then just one space) and drag the DVRFlash folder onto the Terminal. This will make a path in Terminal to that folder.

6. I then typed: ./DVRFlash -ff RA.100010.137 RA100110.137
Pioneer firmware is usually two files (these are the names of the two firmware files I got from un-stuffing the pioneer .exe firmware file). I then followed the instructions that came up on the Terminal.

7. Once the firmware has been successfully uploaded I had to reboot. Upon the reboot I had the Pioneer Firmware Ver.1.37. This made my Pioneer 110D into a Pioneer 110 with the latest, greatest firmware.

[vic20owner]

So it's possible to use the standard firmware? I was under the impression that the firmware had to be customized for the mac (for booting, etc)?

Thanks

[Satcomer]

Nope. If you follow the directions it use the stand window .exe file. Stuffit will extract the files as direct in my first port. DVRFlash will take the two firmware files and upload them with the power of the Terminal.

[vic20owner]

Excellent. Thanks for posting this! I have a DVR-100D in the mail...

[greenpea]

Greetings Satcomer,
Thanks for the good detailed insructions! (did I mention easy to follow?!!)
I was able to flash my Pioneer 110D to a 110; but neither shows up in disk uitility as available for burning. When checking profile, it updated the 110D to 110, then back again when I reflashed; but still shows the folling in profile:

Manufacturer: PIONEER
Model: PIONEER DVD-RW DVR-110D
Revision: 1.37
Drive Type: CD-RW/DVD-RW
Disc Burning: Not Supported
Removable Media: Yes
Detachable Drive: No
Protocol: ATAPI
Unit Number: 0
Socket Type: Internal

Any ideas?
Thanks!

[Satcomer]

The firmware is permanent. When you flashed the drive in the Terminal.app, did id ask you to make sure you want to do the flash? Once you say yes, the text with give you a Terminal style load display. After it says everything is done, a reboot has to be done to see the results. If you re-flash the drive again, make sure you read the Terminal.app read outs every time it prompts you. Also make sure you download the right firmware, the one labeled R110_FW137EU.EXE.



The main difference from 110D to 110 is the ability to burn RAM (110D can only read RAM disks). Also once a dive is flashed, the display in Software Profiler will say unsupported, even though all the iApps will burn with it. The only iApp that will not do dual layer burning is iDVD. However the cool people over at Accelerate Your Macintosh have posted a link to a hack to get iDVD to do Dual Layer.

However your milage may very.

[RoyK]

I went and downloaded the current firmware (Ver.1.37) from PIONEER Europe which is an .exe file. But all I found was (Ver.1.39) with your instructions I tryed to use 1.39 om my PIONEER DVD-RW DVR-110D in my G5 2.0 but it did not work.

RoyK

[rcorrino]

Anybody know if this is possible with the DVR-111D to DVR-111? The newest firmware is v. 119; unfortunately DVRFlash won't work with this new drive. I might try doing it on a PC though if I can get the DVD-RAM Write capability....