Rule of thumb all CD/DVD firmware upgrade are needed, because they usually at least correct, add burn strategies for new media.

I also usually do all the firmware upgrade I can on all of the product I own because of the following reason.

1- I like the trill of knowing that if there's a power faillure I will have the justification I needed to upgrade that damn thing to the latest coolest...

2- Firmware are software designed for the hardware and as such the company who release them do have some reason to release it (no it's not to keep the guy busy)

3- Could be that some revision in the product internal has changed and product need tweaking, often a product is rushed out to beat the competition and the final development is made in the few week between manufacture shipment and final customer packaging and distribution.

4- Could be that some hiden bug are found, some hardware incompatibility etc.. either way you may not need this firmware today but what about tomorow, will the firmware still availlable, will the cie still active

For all of these reason I say go ahead upgrade. If you are afraid of breaking it, do not touch it and if you did touch it, do not tell anybody...