DVD Dual-Layer Drives Recommendations

I am looking to get a Dual Layer DVD drive.
Does anybody have a good recommendation? Internal? or External?
Oh by the way, I am still using DVD SP2, do I need to upgrade?
Thanks
Paul

I am under the impression that even Toast 7 will not read the dual layer break point set by DVDSP in either a VIDEO_TS or a disc image. Believe me, I would love to find out that I'm wrong on this. This ability alone would be worth the price of the upgrade for me (I'm still using Toast 6).
Someone asked a question specifically about this either late last week or early this week in this forum, and I believe it went unanswered.
This recent post on the CreativeCow was the closest answer I could find: http://forums.creativecow.net/cgi-bin/newreadpost.cgi?univpostid=859311&forumid=155&postid=859517&pview=t
I have not used Discribe, so I can't speak for its abilities. Its website isn't very helpful in this regard.
Hopefully someone who has firsthand experience trying this will post a reply.

Similar Messages

I don't have a dual-layer drive, can I install Tiger or Leopard?

Disclaimer: Apple does not necessarily endorse any suggestions, solutions, or third-party software products that may be mentioned in the topic below. Apple encourages you to first seek a solution at Apple Support. The following links are provided as is, with no guarantee of the effectiveness or reliability of the information. Apple does not guarantee that these links will be maintained or functional at any given time. Use the information below at your own discretion.
Mac OS X 10.4 Tiger, and Mac OS X 10.5 Leopard come on what appear to be larger than 4.7 GB discs. This does not mean you need a dual layer drive to install them. Some Macs capable of installing Tiger or Leopard came with a built-in CD-RW, or CD-ROM drive. For those a compatible Firewire DVD drive for booting Mac OS X can work instead of replacing the internal drive. Tiger also came in a limited edition Media Exchange Program CD installer package, which you may be able to find in the open market. The limitation for each is dependant on other hardware:
1. If your Mac shipped new with no Firewire, you may be able to install Tiger a special third party addon software known as XPostFacto.
2. If your Mac shipped new with less than 867 Mhz built-in processor (including dual processor 800 MHz or less), you may be able to install Leopard with a special third party addon software known as Leopard Assist.
3. If your Mac shipped with a processor upgrade card installed, and #2 is true, a firmware update may be available from the processor upgrade card vendor that allows Leopard's installation.
4. Tiger needs at least 256 MB of RAM.
Leopard needs at least 512 MB of RAM.
If you have a lot of dashboard widgets, you may need to increase RAM to improve performance on either operating system. The RAM needs to follow Apple's specs to ensure smooth operation. Only get RAM with a lifetime warranty.
5. Officially you need for Tiger:
"At least 3 GB of free disk space; 4 GB if you install the XCode 2 Developer Tools" from: http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1514
And officially for Leopard you need:
"9 GB of available disk space or more" from http://support.apple.com/kb/HT3759
However, I would add to that if your hard drive doesn't have at least 15% of the drive free in addition to that, you may experience significant slowing down in the operating system function. This number has been arbitrarily discovered by many users.
6. When installing Tiger or Leopard, if your machine shipped with Panther (10.3) or earlier, be sure to get the retail Tiger or retail Leopard.
The Tiger installer is a san serif gray and white X with a spotlight on the center of the X on a black background.
The Leopard installer is a san serif black and gray X on a pink galaxy centered on a black background.
This is the 1st version of this tip. It was submitted on Dec 23, 2009 by a brody.
Do you want to provide feedback on this User Contributed Tip or contribute your own? If you have achieved Level 2 status, visit the User Tips Library Contributions forum for more information.

Disclaimer: Apple does not necessarily endorse any suggestions, solutions, or third-party software products that may be mentioned in the topic below. Apple encourages you to first seek a solution at Apple Support. The following links are provided as is, with no guarantee of the effectiveness or reliability of the information. Apple does not guarantee that these links will be maintained or functional at any given time. Use the information below at your own discretion.
Mac OS X 10.4 Tiger, and Mac OS X 10.5 Leopard come on what appear to be larger than 4.7 GB discs. This does not mean you need a dual layer drive to install them. Some Macs capable of installing Tiger or Leopard came with a built-in CD-RW, or CD-ROM drive. For those a compatible Firewire DVD drive for booting Mac OS X can work instead of replacing the internal drive. Tiger also came in a limited edition Media Exchange Program CD installer package, which you may be able to find in the open market. The limitation for each is dependant on other hardware:
1. If your Mac shipped new with no Firewire, you may be able to install Tiger a special third party addon software known as XPostFacto.
2. If your Mac shipped new with less than 867 Mhz built-in processor (including dual processor 800 MHz or less), you may be able to install Leopard with a special third party addon software known as Leopard Assist.
3. If your Mac shipped with a processor upgrade card installed, and #2 is true, a firmware update may be available from the processor upgrade card vendor that allows Leopard's installation.
4. Tiger needs at least 256 MB of RAM.
Leopard needs at least 512 MB of RAM.
If you have a lot of dashboard widgets, you may need to increase RAM to improve performance on either operating system. The RAM needs to follow Apple's specs to ensure smooth operation. Only get RAM with a lifetime warranty.
5. Officially you need for Tiger:
"At least 3 GB of free disk space; 4 GB if you install the XCode 2 Developer Tools" from: http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1514
And officially for Leopard you need:
"9 GB of available disk space or more" from http://support.apple.com/kb/HT3759
However, I would add to that if your hard drive doesn't have at least 15% of the drive free in addition to that, you may experience significant slowing down in the operating system function. This number has been arbitrarily discovered by many users.
6. When installing Tiger or Leopard, if your machine shipped with Panther (10.3) or earlier, be sure to get the retail Tiger or retail Leopard.
The Tiger installer is a san serif gray and white X with a spotlight on the center of the X on a black background.
The Leopard installer is a san serif black and gray X on a pink galaxy centered on a black background.
This is the 1st version of this tip. It was submitted on Dec 23, 2009 by a brody.
Do you want to provide feedback on this User Contributed Tip or contribute your own? If you have achieved Level 2 status, visit the User Tips Library Contributions forum for more information.

Re: I don't have a dual-layer drive, can I install Tiger or Leopard?

"This tip is ready for consideration"

Hi a brody,
Maybe it's my training that states to focus on what we can do, but I'd suggest changing the double negatives to positives. Let me know as that does leave out the "if and only if" implication of the "can't" statements which you may want to keep.
Mac OS X 10.4 Tiger, and Mac OS X 10.5 Leopard come on what appear to be larger than 4.7 GB discs. This does not mean you need a dual layer drive to install them. Some Macs capable of installing Tiger or Leopard came with a built-in CD-RW, or CD-ROM drive. For those a compatible Firewire DVD drive for booting Mac OS X can work instead of replacing the internal drive. Tiger also came in a limited edition Media Exchange Program CD installer package, which you may be able to find in the open market. The limitation for each is dependant on other hardware:
1. If your Mac shipped new with no Firewire, you {color:red}may be able to{color} install Tiger {color:red}with{color} a special third party addon software known as XPostFacto.
2. If your Mac shipped new with less than 867 Mhz built-in processor (including dual processor 800 MHz or less), you {color:red}may be able to{color} install Leopard {color:red}with{color} a special third party addon software known as Leopard Assist.
3. If your Mac shipped with a processor upgrade card installed, and #2 is true, a firmware update may be available from the processor upgrade card vendor that allows Leopard's installation.
4. Tiger {color:red}needs{color} at least 256 MB of RAM.
Leopard {color:red}needs{color} at least 512 MB of RAM.
If you have a lot of dashboard widgets, you may need to increase RAM to improve performance on either operating system. The RAM needs to follow Apple's specs to ensure smooth operation. Only get RAM with a lifetime warranty.
5. Officially you need for Tiger:
"At least 3 GB of free disk space; 4 GB if you install the XCode 2 Developer Tools" from: http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1514
And officially for Leopard you need:
"9 GB of available disk space or more" from http://support.apple.com/kb/HT3759
However, I would add to that if your hard drive doesn't have at least 15% of the drive free in addition to that, you may experience significant slowing down in the operating system function. This number has been arbitrarily discovered by many users.
6. When installing Tiger or Leopard, if your machine shipped with Panther (10.3) or earlier, be sure to get the retail Tiger or retail Leopard.
The Tiger installer is a san serif gray and white X with a spotlight on the center of the X on a black background.
The Leopard installer is a san serif black and gray X on a pink galaxy centered on a black background.
An Apple user since 1981 Mac OS X (10.6)

17" G4 Powerbook no "Dual Layer" drive...

A friend asked a question this morning that I did not have the answer to;
"Can a G4 Powerbook's non dual-layer DVD drive read a dual layer install disc?"
We discussed it for a bit and then I decided to turn to the minds on the forum here. I viewed the post by - "a brody" from Dec. 23, 2009 - but no specific answer jumped out at me concerning this particular question.
a brody - "I don't have a dual-layer drive, can I install Tiger or Leopard?" (Dec 23, 2009)
The drive in question is a Matshita DVD-R UJ-845E. This Powerbook was manufactured in 2005. (Forgive me if this has been answered some place else on this forum).
Regards

Hi Templeton, Happy Holidays.
Thanks for your response. I was speaking to a qualified person about this before I returned to the forum and saw your answer. We all agree apparently, concerning reading "DL" discs on this type of "SL" drive.
The additional info I got, (concerning any "Apple OS upgrades") was that the "Leopard" OS program series was written as an "interim" OS during the transition period from the older G4 Powerbooks to the newer "re-chipped" Mac computers; thus the Leopard OS disc's ability to be read by the older optical drives found in many of the G4 Powerbooks.
Thanks again!

DM4-3055DX DVD-Dual Layer Burner

I have a DM4-3055DX notebook
i wanted to burn some home movies and i purchased DVD-R DL - Dual layer DVD to increase the capacity of the DVD to 240minutes or 8.5 gb
my question is how do i know or find out if my notebook has a DVD-Dual Layer Burner. or supported Dual Layer DVD-Rs
thank you

Try this free Nero info tool
http://www.softpedia.com/get/CD-DVD-Tools/CD-DVD-Rip-Other-Tools/Nero-InfoTool.shtml

Satellite Pro A30: Need compatible DVD 8x dual layer drive

Hi,
have been researching this for some time now with no result. Are there any 8x dual layer dvd drives that are compatible with the bezel on the a30?
Cheers, J

Did you take a look into the user manual?
Usually you should find the list of compatible drives in this document.
In my user manual I have found a compatible drives for my notebook.
I found the info that these drives could works on this notebook. But dont know what drive could handle the DL medias:
Matsu****a SR-8177
Matsu****a UJDA750
Toshiba SD-C2612
Toshiba SD-R6112
Toshiba SD-R2412
Toshiba SD-R2512
Panasonic UJ-811B
TEAC DW-224E
TEAC DV-W22E-85

Which kind of DVD Dual Layer work on MacPro DVD Drive?

On my MacPro 2X3 GHz Quad Core Intel Xeon I have, as a DVD Drive, an
OPTIARC DVD RW AD-7170A:
Revisione firmware: 1.N8
Interconnessione: ATAPI
Supporto masterizzazione: Sì (unità fornita da Apple)
Cache: 2048 KB
Legge i DVD: Sì
Masterizzatore CD: -R, -RW
Masterizzatore DVD: -R, -RW, +R, +R DL, +RW
Strategie di scrittura: CD-TAO, CD-SAO, CD-Raw, DVD-DAO
Media: Inserisci il supporto e aggiorna per mostrare le velocità di masterizzazione disponibili
Now, I purchased 50 not branded DVDs +R Dual Layer (like indicated by the features above) but every time I make a burning I get an error message on verifying ("....sector is unreadable").
My supplier told me that
"It is normal that all DVD writers have problems with some DVDs, while
others work perfectly".
So I don't know which DVD I can take..
Has anyone used successfully some kind? And which?
Tnx

There is a web site that rates DVD media brands. Verbatim DL is what I use and never had trouble.

DVD Dual Layer Not Working?

Hi all!
This is my first time to these forums and I have some trouble with a used Toshiba x205-SLI1 I just bought. the HD Dual Layer burning does not function and the driver appears to be updated properly. It is a TS L802a model, with drivers dated as of 6/21/2006 version # 6.0.6002.18005.
When I insert the Memorex HD +R Media Nero 9 runs up and begins the process but only goes to about 1% then stops. It ejects the DVD which apears to have nothing written to it by looks since I can put the DVD back in and there are no written areas all i can see with data.
Plus the speed of the drive only reaches 2.4 when the max is 8X.
Is there a newer driver somewhere? I need to get this working if possible and without spending tons of money on different media types to "test" the Burner.
Does this burner have some inate problems as i have read on other forums in burning dual layer dvd's?
oh, and it does work with the normal 4.7GB DVD's just fine i have done several of these to back up data on the system.
The system is running as the following drive configuration:
2 @ 200GB Raid 0. Vista ultimate 64 upgraded from Home Premium by the original owner.
The Laptop works in everything else and is in pristine condition all over.
Let me know if more info is needed to make a determination for help please.
Thanks in advance!
Robert
Attachments:
x205-SLI1.txt ‏442 KB

It sounds like a hardware problem to me. Your best bet considering it is new is to take it back to the place of purchase and exchange it for a working model (if it's within the exchange period) or contact Toshiba Support and have it repaired under warranty. Se the Warranty Link at the top of this page for details.
If you don't post your COMPLETE model number it's very difficult to assist you. Please try to post in complete sentences with punctuation, capitals, and correct spelling. Toshiba does NOT provide any direct support in these forums. All support is User to User in their spare time.

URGENT Dual Layer Drive question - PLEASE HELP

I have just completed a 28 hour compression of a 720p feature movie for a public screening tonight, and the file size is a little too big for a standard DVD.
The solution seem to me to be to purchase an external dual-layer burner.
1) Can someone recommend a burner that is compatible with my system, which is a G5, Dual 2Ghz with Final Cut Studio, Ver 1?
2) Since I have never needed to work with dual- layer discs before, is my thinking flawed here? These dual-layer discs WILL play back on a standard DVD player, right?
Although I have been an editor for 23 years, I have never had the need for a larger DVD format than the standard 4.7gb DVD-5 disc, so I am feeling like a real rookie right now.
I hope I am on the right track here, and that someone can guide me into the light! As always, I appreciate any and all help.
Van

I've used only internal Dual layer, Opticarc AD-7170A that shipped with new Mac, and Pioneer DVR-108 that I put in my old G4.
The pioneer 108 has been a wonderful burner (reg and DL) over all other burners for me, but is a old model.
I have used the Pioneer 108 with a firewire external HD case with no problem (as a option)
Roxio's Toast is a must (by all accounts) to regulate the burn speed. Never a problem for me... I have read the slower the burn the better the disc reading by the player, I usually burn at 2x for DL then check on a very old Sony.. if it plays there it plays everywhere...
Verbatim DVD+R DL media has worked also with no problem.
Hope this info helps!
Best!

DR8-A firware upgrade to dvd dual-layer?

I am very happy with my DR8-A burner, but i am wondering if MSI has any plans to upgrade the firmware to the future Dual-layer dvd formats. I have read that Bueq is offer this for their new drives.

if it can upgrade to 8x8 - good or bad news

G4 DVD Dual Layer question

I have a 14" G4 1.07GHz iBook with a Non DVD Burning CD/CDR/CDRW/DVD drive. My question is, will it READ a dual layer DVD? Thanks!

Hhmmm...let me know if it works for you. I have (I think) the exact same setup, and my drive spits out dual discs. We bought Bruce Springsteen's The Seeger Sessions, which is a dual disc, and I had to resort to alternate methods to import the songs into my iTunes library. I Googled after having the problem and found others who had the same problem.

DVD dual layer write speed?

Anybody know what the maximum write speed of the Superdrive is, for dual-layer DVDs?
I have a late 2011 MacBook Pro 15" and I want to buy some blank DL DVDs. I'm looking at Verabtim DVD+R DL blank media. They offer both 2.4X and 8X speeds. I've read that the 8X disks - which are more expensive, roughly 15 for the price of 20 of the slower disks - can be a problem for older drives that don't support that speed.
I already know that my Superdrive will write at 8X or more for a single-layer disk.

"Be sure to take full advantage of:
About this Mac > ( More Info ) > Disk Burning ..."
Yup, this showed me that my 8X (single layer) disk could in fact be burned at 8X, but without any DL disks for testing, ATM doesn't tell you anything about burning speeds.
Thanks for the confirmation that I do NOT want to buy the 8X disks. I've gone ahead and ordered the 2.4X Verbatim disks. I also saw some labeled as 2.4-6X, and I suppose those would work with my 4X drive.

DVD dual layer blank media problem

Hi,
I used HP branded media without any problems in the past. Now I got a roll of Ritek dual layer DVDs and most unfortunately the drive ejects them as if they were incompatible.
Does anybody know if Apple keeps a page with compatible media? Or is there any indication which brands would work and which don't? The dual layer media is still quite expensive and I don't know if I can convince the retailer to take back opened disks...
Best
Jurgen

If they're DVD-R DL discs then there's the problem. They should be DVD+R DL.

New MacMini's Dual Layer Drive

Most people know that new MacMini currently on the market is register at 1.5GHz not 1.42. Also Vidoe RAM is 64MB not 32MB as well as the superdrive is matsushita UJ-845. UJ-845 is listed as DL drive and from the google it is DL drive.
On my other post, I have been asked if I was able to write Dual Layer Media. I have tried last evening and write 7.9GB of information on Fujifilm 2.4X DVD+R DL medial using the Mac native writer program. I have old toast 5.2.3 so didn't even try but it was success.
It does took some time but Its sweet deal.
Still think PowerPC is a still sweet processor over Intel but have to see when it comes out..

Hello! You may want to read THIS XLR8 Article. Tom

DVD Dual Layer, +/- which is better?

I've been trying to burn a dual layer DVD-R DL from iDVD6 but it won't let me, it will however let me burn a DVD+R DL even though my burner can burn both. What are the benefits however of burning one from the other as iDVD seems to mainly support DVD+R DL whereas it is always recommended to use DVD-R when burning single layer?

Thanks guys.
The problem is I purchased a Dual layer external burner by LaCie and after some digging it appears that although it is capable of burning both +/-R DL, my system profiler only states +R DL, however I can burn -R DL through both system utilities and Toast so this leads me to think that there is a lack of support for -R DL on iDVD6 (whether this is due to the incorrect system profiler provided by LaCie?)
I've had a few tests and iDVD6 just spits the DVD-R DL back not recognising it as a dual layer disc. I've been on to LaCie and Apple about this but they're both passing off blame to each other.
Am I right in assuming that DVD+R DL can play ok in most DVD players? I obviously want to create a stable disc and burning DVD-R DL through system utilities has given me many problems on various players.

DVD Dual-Layer Drives Recommendations

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