More than 50,000 Pioneer DVD writer users across Europe have taken the necessary steps to correct a firmware issue that could cause potential damage to the writer when using new high-speed media. In August 2002, Pioneer alerted customers to the issue as the DVD Forum released new specifications for high-speed media. Many third party websites also mirrored the firmware files providing additional avenues for the update to be completed.

Pioneer urges all users of DVR-A03 and DVR-A04 writers to download the update to correct internal code in the drives, which would otherwise malfunction when attempting to record to blank, new high-speed media. The necessary update can be downloaded from the Pioneer website at www.pioneer-eur.com/update.

"The potential for damage to certain DVD-R/RW drives is a concern and we are doing all that we can to ensure that our customers are aware of this before adopting the new high-speed media," says marketing communications manager, Pioneer Europe NV, Mark Grotefeld. "We strongly encourage all users who have not already done so to log on to our website and download the firmware update. Be assured, this issue does not pose any physical risk to customers or their PCs".

Pioneer's latest DVD-R/RW writer, the DVR-A05 already meets the new industry media standard of a 4x write speed to DVD-R and 2x to DVD-RW and does not require a firmware update.

Tests conducted by Pioneer indicate that using the new high-speed media for recording without the firmware update will affect the following DVD-R/RW writers:

Pioneer DVR-A03 / DVR-103 DVD-R/RW writer
Pioneer DVR-A04 / DVR-104 DVD-R/RW writer

Any consumer who owns one of the above listed products should conduct the free firmware update immediately - prior to using the new high-speed media - simply by logging on to www.pioneer-eur.com/update and downloading the firmware update utility.

PC owners whose system includes a DVD-R/RW drive should contact their provider to determine if they also require the firmware update.

Further information is available at www.pioneer-eur.com/update.

Pioneer DVR-7000 DVD-R/RW Recorder:
Some Pioneer DVR-7000 DVD-R/RW recorder products may also require an update. Customers are requested to contact Pioneer's customer service line on 01753 789 500, which will help them to determine if their unit requires the update, provide details for updating the firmware and answer any questions.

The DVD Forum
The DVD Forum approved the new standard of 4x write speed for DVD-R and 2x write speed for DVD-RW in August 2002.