Superdrive not burning at full speed?

[mikaelrules]

I have a Pionner DVR-104 which came with my Power Mac. It's rated at 2x DVD-R but the only option I see under toast is 1x. My media is rated at 1x-4x and it works fine under 2x on my PowerBook.

Any idea what's wrong?

[Henjie]

Originally posted by mikaelrules
I have a Pionner DVR-104 which came with my Power Mac. It's rated at 2x DVD-R but the only option I see under toast is 1x. My media is rated at 1x-4x and it works fine under 2x on my PowerBook.

Any idea what's wrong?

2x DVD writers need to have their firmwares updated to burn 4x (and 8x) media at 2x.

Check the firmware of your DVR-104 ("Revision" under System Profiler -> Hardware -> ATA -> look for the SuperDrive). If the firmware version is lower than A227 (ex. A223, A225), install the Apple Power Mac G4 SuperDrive Update to enable 2x burning on 4x media using the DVR-104.

Hope this helps. :-)


~Henjie

[mikaelrules]

I think I've found the answer Here

"If memory serves me correctly, Pioneer issued a firmware update for all DVDR drives (except maybe the 105) because there was an overheating issue when using 4X media. Apple incorporated this firmware update into the Superdrive Firmware update.

The update limits the drives to 1X burn when using 4X stock (to prevent overheating). It should still burn 2X stock at 2X."

[Henjie]

Originally posted by mikaelrules
I think I've found the answer Here

"If memory serves me correctly, Pioneer issued a firmware update for all DVDR drives (except maybe the 105) because there was an overheating issue when using 4X media. Apple incorporated this firmware update into the Superdrive Firmware update.

The update limits the drives to 1X burn when using 4X stock (to prevent overheating). It should still burn 2X stock at 2X."

Ooops. I was under the impression that the firmware update will allow 2x burns on 4x media with the DVR-104. Still 1x pala. Bad news 'coz pure 2x media are almost impossible to find now and 1x DVD burning sucks. Sorry for the boo-boo. :-)

You should still install the SuperDrive update if you're gonna continue using those 4x blanks though. BTW, the 4x blanks you're using, are they the cheaper ones (<P50) or the branded ones (>P100)? If you're willing to spend around P110 for a single DVD-R, Dynamic Personal Computer (Acacia Lane, 2/F Virra Mall) can hook you up with some 2x Maxell DVD-Rs (made in Japan, great stuff). They're the green ones with no speed rating printed on the labels. ;-)


~Henjie

[Edited on 7-15-2004 by Henjie]

[mikaelrules]

I'm using branded Sony 4x blanks (bought a spindle with 25 of them) and a few cheap ones (the orange ones with a mountain). I'll try to check out those Maxells.

Thanks.

[Henjie]

Originally posted by mikaelrules
I'm using branded Sony 4x blanks (bought a spindle with 25 of them) and a few cheap ones (the orange ones with a mountain). I'll try to check out those Maxells.

The Sony blanks can be great (made in Japan and Singapore) or good (Taiwan, Europe).

Whatever you do, don't use the orange-top "mountain" or "landscape" Riteks for your data or movie backups. They're the crappiest Ritek discs around (rejects, not suitable for "good" Ritek brands like RiData, TraxData, etc.). :-)

The Maxells (made in Japan, not Taiwan) are among the best DVD-Rs around. Apple DVD-Rs are manufactured by Maxell in Japan. ;-)


~Henjie

[gbbles]

Speaking of Apple DVD-Rs, those things cost an arm and a leg at P400 (4x) to P450 (8x) per disc at Powermac Megamall. I get 8x HP DVD+Rs for only P90 at Planet CDR in Gilmore, Q.C., they're great! Even the 4x HP DVD+RWs are 'powerbook friendly' even if you can only burn at 2x.

Will take a look at those Maxells as well, haven't really used branded DVD-R media, just the generic sub P20 kind, so far so good... but I don't think I'll take chances for major projects.

[Henjie]

Originally posted by gbbles
Speaking of Apple DVD-Rs, those things cost an arm and a leg at P400 (4x) to P450 (8x) per disc at Powermac Megamall.

Tell me about it. :-) To think that Apple is only charging $10 for 5 pcs. of 4x DVD-R media and $15 for a 5-pack of 8x blanks. You're better off buying Maxell DVD-Rs at P110 or so a pop since they're all made in the same Maxell factory anyway. ;-)

I get 8x HP DVD+Rs for only P90 at Planet CDR in Gilmore, Q.C., they're great! Even the 4x HP DVD+RWs are 'powerbook friendly' even if you can only burn at 2x.

I'm currently using HP blanks myself. 4x DVD+R (media code CMC MAG.F01). $30 for a 50-pack spindle (excl. shipping). My NEC ND-2500A seems to love this particular media. Burns great at 8x. :-)


~Henjie