I guess that firmware tools are starting to apear on the market more and more,
Not that they will directly compete with PC-3000 but at least it will provide more chances for DIY firmware fixes IF assisted by a pro.
People that up until now couldn't fix certain firmware problems are starting to have access to tools at a reasonable price (sometimes free) and with the help of someone who understands how firmware works more and more problems can be solved at a reasonable cost.
This latest tendency in the production of firmware tools, even if the quality of those tools can't match the big ACE, etc ... will allow for a new era of data recovery at a firmware level, where people that really want to learn and practice will not have the need to invest a huge amount of money in tools.
You can download the SHT - Samsung HDD Tool - Free Edition from my site here :
http://malthus.zapto.org/viewtopic.php?f=22&t=870Some scree captures :

- 5.jpg (25.23 KiB) Viewed 15592 times