NEC 2510 (Dual layer) firmware works on 2500 ?

[MadAsABadger]

i dont think retailers will raise the price just becuase a feature is unlocked. at the end of the day we buy in at X, mark it up a little and sell it on. upping the price would be a bit mean.
if anything I think retailers would advertise the extra possible features in order to get people to buy the, in the same way that soft mods of video cards often happen.
Back in the day when there was a batch of ATi 9500's that would function at 9700 spec the same happened, i dont think prices went up.

[Swafe]

na, its perfectly likely for prices to rise

newegg did this on XP2500ms, they were 80ish dollers, and then as soon as people started getting 2.7ghz and the like, they were 99 dollers

i reckon if they do work as DL, the price will not be 50 quid

[Saracen]

Under UK law I believe you must have permission from the copyright holder. Saracen is the guy to ask with matters like this though, as I am not 100% certain.
Its a grey area we dont want to get into at the end of the day, but as long as people are sensible, there shouldnt be a problem

Wups, missed this.

UK Copyright law (which is not necessarily the same as other countries) permits authorised (licensed) users of computer software to make necessary backups. That right does not extend to films, music, etc.

Basically, whenever an original work falling into one of a lengthy list of pre-defined categories is created, it is automatically protected by copyright. That list includes music, film/video, literary works, computer software, computer databases, photographs, paintings etc. By default, the person doing the creating owns the copyright, with the major exception being when the work is created in the course of your employment, where the employer owns the copyright.

Having established that ANY original work falling into these categories is protected (and the creator need do NOTHING to gain that protection - it is, by statute, automatic) the question then what acts breach that copyright.

Basically, unless the law says a given act is NOT a breach, ANY reproduction of a protected work is a breach. There are many exceptions, most of which will not affect Joe Public. For instance, use of copyright material in judicial proceedings is an exception, as are certain academic uses. The use of extracts for critical review and/or news reporting is also an exception. Many of these exceptions are judged, however, by a "fair use" policy - just because you're writing a review of a film for a website doesn't mean you can upload a copy of the whole film, though you would get away with limited extracts, maybe some stills or even brief clips.

The two major exceptions that will affect most people are :-

1) Computer Software backups
2) Timeshifting

There is a separate piece of legislation (a Statutory Instrument) that authorises legitimate backups, but it is NOT carte blanche to "backup" anything you like just because it's computer software.

Time shifting allows you to record broadcast programs, for your personal and domestic use, provided you are just briefly delaying the viewing. Those caveats mean three things :-

1. the period of delay is limited. A few days, maybe a month at most, is OK. Long-term archiving of a library of material is NOT.
2. time-shifting broadcast material is permitted, but recording from non-broadcast materials (such as DVD, VHS tape, audio CD, etc) is NOT
3. the delay must be for personal, domestic use. i.e. essentially for you or YOUR family. Lending the tape to mates is again, a no-no.

Finally, the penalties. Depending on circumstances, any breach could be a civil wrong, a criminal action or both. You could get sued, fined and even - in the worst cases, jailed (maximum, IIRC, 5 years!)

Unless you are indulging in copyright breaches commercially, (i.e. selling copies, OR are doing it as part of a business), then it is a civil matter, not a criminal one, so you could get sued but not prosecuted (i.e. not fined or jailed).

It is UNLIKELY that you will get sued unless you are either operating on a large scale, or happen to get selected by a large studio as an "example" to teach others. Lawsuits are expensive and as damages is effectively the only punitive remedy, and they are based on the extent of the damage the rights-holder suffered, lawsuits are not likely at all. If you stick protected material up on a website, you'll probably get a "take it down or else" snottygram, and maybe get booted by your ISP/web host but are unlikely to get much more. If you copy a few disks for your MP3-walkman or the car, you are VERY unlikely to end up in court, though it is technically possible (and technically unlawful).


The HEXUS Position.


While YOU might not get sued for copying a few disks, publishers are a MUCH better target for a lawsuit. Not only would the damages potentially be much higher, if it could be established that large numbers of people broke copyright because of information gained here, but because HEXUS is a business, that opens up the jail-time option.

The implication is that we will err on the side of caution. We don't seek to take some moral anti-copying high-ground. We won't preach. BUT, we won't put ourselves at risk of lawsuits or criminal proceedings either. The upshot of that is that if you lot want to discuss copyright breach as a debate topic, that’s fine with us, but if you get into a ‘how-to’ , we'll delete it.

[MadAsABadger]

Bad news, i attempted to source some dual layer media so that this could be tested but had no luck was told start of July!! You can see the news on this site.
Not sure how Sony get around this with their drive, since it is currently available? Anyone else know of available DVD Dual Layer?

[skattrd]

I'm sure the nice people @ Hexus can get hold of some DL discs and test the 2500a flash for us

[Lee H]

don't worry folks some of the techies at work are after sourcing some Dual Layered Discs just for testing the 2500A nevermind the DRU700A thats now in stock.

Hopefully we'll have some soon and then we can tell you the results

On a lighter note - I've flashed mine and nero says in the drive info that it supports DVD+R9 so all looks good - all I need are the discs

Lee

[pdug175]

this kicks ass, good choice I made getting the NEC. I can see the drive lasting me for ages now.

[spazman]

Cool, a friend of mine works for Sony he is chasing so DL disks

[silent]

if i flash my memory, will it in validate my warranty and can i flash it back to 1.07??

[pdug175]

if i flash my memory, will it in validate my warranty and can i flash it back to 1.07??

I would imagine the answer would be yes to both, but dont hold me to that.

[Spud1]

hmm well i have the firmware now but i aint got the guts to flash my brand spanking new drive just yet i'll wait till the medials widely available first methinks

[silent]

i havent either. don't want to risk it still

[Apex]

Is not not legal to make a personal backup of media you own such as music, films etc ??

Tis with the new eu copy right directive iirc.

nice move eu make crims out of the lot os us