Originally Posted by negritude

And speaking of the Plextor, I think the 1.02 firmware for that drive is pretty decent. A PX-740A doesn't even need to be cross-flashed unless you want the drive for scanning. Also, the 2D06 firmware on many of the DVD8801 drives is really good. That's another drive that doesn't need cross-flashing. I haven't tested the 810A firmware, but I can testify to the effectiveness of the 740A and 8801 firmwares.

In fact, I have this unproven theory that many of the rebranded BenQs burn better with their own firmware, rather than BenQ firmware. I can't prove anything, but in doing a lot of cross-flashing, upgrading, and testing, I've seen a couple of my drives work better untouched, than when they were cross-flashed. This theory doesn't apply to actual BenQ drives with bulk firmware, boxed under brands such as Hi-Val, Norwood Micro, and Connect Computer. For those drives, flashing to retail firmware is always better. It's only the rebrands like the Sony DRU-810A/DRX-810UL, the Plextor PX-740A/PX-740UF, and the Philips DVD8801 that can often work better with the supposedly "crippled" firmware included with them.