Upgrade superdrive to dual-layer

i have pb g4 1,67ghz, can my pb upgrade to superdrive dl?

Apple uses Panasonic/Mashita and I think also Pioneer. The Matshita UJ-845 is one option. The Pioneer K-05 is another. The difference is that the UJ-845 (non-Apple) will read and write DVD RAM disks while the Pioneer will only read DVD RAM disks.
Apple uses firmware that prevents the Apple supplied drives to write DVD RAM disks for some reason. I currently have the Pioneer DVR K-05 insralled.
Check http://www.dfwdepot.com/dvd-ram/index.php I have used them in the past with no problems. Good prices.
MJ

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SuperDrive 8x dual layer for 15''

Why isn't Apple offering the SuperDrive 8x dual layer as an optional upgrade to the current 15'' models? I priced one and noticed that option does not exist. Is there a techical explanation as to why Apple is missing out on that business? I don't want to buy the 17'' honker just to have the better drive.

Well,
what will probably happen is that Apple will state that there are hardware differences between the UJ-857 and the UJ-857D, and that a simple firmware upgrade is not enough. Also, Apple will say that the heat dissipation while burning a DL DVD is too high, and the new MBPs have been adapted to that. So there will be no change in the burning capabilities for the existing Superdrives in the MBPs.
That leaves two possible ways: To buy a third party Superdrive (for example an 857D, which I guess will be available shortly), or flash it with some piracy firmware from some piracy site (which of course you are strongly discouraged to do).

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

Superdrive burns dual layer dvds?

i just purchase a mac mini today with 2.4 ghz or w/e...i want to know if the cd drive can burn any dvd's especially dual layers.

Yes, It will burn DVDs including dual layer.
Reads DVD: Yes
CD-Write: -R, -RW
DVD-Write: -R, -R DL, -RW, +R, +R DL, +RW
Write Strategies: CD-TAO, CD-SAO, CD-Raw, DVD-DAO
Media: To show the available burn speeds, insert a disc and choose View > Refresh
You can verify this on your machine by clicking the apple logo on the menu bar and selecting "about this Mac". On the next screen select "more info" tab.
On the new screen look at the left column under hardware and select "disc Burning" This will show all your drives capabilities.
Hope that Helps...

Dual Layer upgrade, work with iLife05

I have a 1st gen PM Dual 2ghz G5 powermac and am interested in upgrading my DVD RW drive to a double layer. From what I have read, the drive is a UIP (User Installable part) and such. If I was to put in one of the Pioneers or Sonys listed in other messages, would Apple applications reconize it and will it work? I know with the previous generation PM's, if you put in a different model drive, programs like iMovie and such would not reconize it.
Thanks for the help!

No, I believe the drives still use red laser for both layers; instead it is half and full power to the laser, I BELIEVE. The blue laser isn't available in any drive as of yet--that is fully a different ballpark (http://www.bluray.com). There have been firmware upgrades on other manufacturers' optical drives to allow dual layer burning. As many of us are I as well, I believe, I'm curious if MSI will release a firmware upgrade to allow dual layer burning, especially since I just bought my DVD burner...!!

Dual Layer Upgrade

Does MSI have any plans to release a firmware upgrade to allow current drives (I own a DR8-A) to burn dual-layer discs?
Or, barring a release from MSI, have any brave souls tried any non-MSI firmware upgrades on their MSI drive with any success?

No, I believe the drives still use red laser for both layers; instead it is half and full power to the laser, I BELIEVE. The blue laser isn't available in any drive as of yet--that is fully a different ballpark (http://www.bluray.com). There have been firmware upgrades on other manufacturers' optical drives to allow dual layer burning. As many of us are I as well, I believe, I'm curious if MSI will release a firmware upgrade to allow dual layer burning, especially since I just bought my DVD burner...!!

Burning a 2h30min project without a dual layer superdrive

I have a dual layer Lacie external dual layer DVD writer, I recently purchased iLife because I was told that you can burn dual layer projects with iDVD 5.
Obviously, as I have found out, you can only do this with a dual layer internal superdrive.
I have tried the patch to make iDVD burn larger projects(from the French site Hardmac) and it didn't work for me, also tried to save as disc image but to no avail.
Is there anyway to get my project onto a dual layer DVD without shortening it, would be good if iDVD gave you the option to split the project over 2 discs.

Hello, Robert!
Have a look at this. A rep from LaCie posted to it: http://discussions.info.apple.com/webx?128@@.68b9ba73
Be sure to read all the posts for some info that should help you.
Good Luck!

Is my superdrive dual layer?

I have a macbook pro. I was pretty sure it was a dual layer superdrive when I bought it, but I recently tried to use Toast 8 to burn DVD-video to a DL DVD-R. It gave me an error about half way and quit. System profiler says I have a HL-DT-ST DVDRW GWA4080MA

If you look in system profiler under the disk burning entry it will tell you what it supports.
If you were
a) not burning Verbatim DL ( say you were using the cheap-o Memorex DVD DL)
b) doing other stuff at the same time
Then you will get failures. The whole DL hullaballo is a huge inconvenient waste of money. Twice the capacity at 10X the cost and coasters more often than not. Try better media and hands off while it works.

Dual layer DVD-ROM in a SuperDrive

I have a dual layer DVD-ROM created on a Pioneer USB dual layer burner. The disc plays fine in the Pioneer, but does not mount in the SuperDrive of my PowerBook or G5 tower. Should the standard SuperDrive be able to read the disc? It can read a dual layer movie disc without problem.
All the best,
Tom

I might be in the wrong forum, but what the heck. I have a similar problem. I have a two week old 17" PowerBook G4 with the new Superdrive that writes in DVD-DL. Anyway, I backed up a ton on data from a variety of computers I had around here (20 Dual-layer DVDs) by copying and pasting data to the DVD-DLs using the finder in Tiger. They work fine on the PowerBook but will not play on a 1st generation 20" iMac G5 (1.8 GHz, 1GB SDRAM, running 10.3.9) with a Superdrive. It just spits them out. I thought that older Superdrives could play (but not write to) DL DVDs. Any suggestions on how I can get them to play on older Macs with Superdrives (i.e. 867MHz PowerMac G4 Quicksilver, Flat Panel iMac G4s, and 1st generation iMac G5s)?
Thanks

Firmware upgrade for Matshita DVD-R UJ-845E to burn dual layer DVD?

Dear All
I have a PowerBookG4 with a Matshita DVD-R UJ-845E which it seems apple has disabled from burning dual layer DVD. I've read around that there are firware upgrades that can enable actions again. I can't find any for Matshita DVD-R UJ-845E, though. Any ideas?
Thank you!
Angie
PowerBookG4 Mac OS X (10.4.8)

angie1976 you have me directly.
As stated in previous posts there have been several issues with the Matshita Optical drives that Apple has installed in there computers. Over time the problem has been discussed and it would appear that there are several things that come into play here.
Apple has made it so that many of the drives they intall are in fact not capable of there full potential.
It in fact boils down to an issue of Copywrite Infringment. Apple doesn't want to put itself in a position to be open to Lawsuits from the Motion Picture Industry.
Many of the drives that do not work up to there full potential have FIRMWARE updates that are offered by the manufacture to remedy this problem and some do not.
It has also been found that the casual user that burns DVD's isn't aware of the huige difference in the Format's available for DVD Burning. and the many limitations of these different drives as far as Media and Speed of Media is concerned. Many of the DL burners that were installed will not burn DL. Apple has had such a huge amount of dissatisfied customers that many that will take the time and if they still have AppleCare these drives will be replaced free of charge.
Here are a collection of links that will help you to understand the problem as it exists.
I will also say that upwards of 85% of the problems user expieriance is with POOR QUALITY MEDIA.
http://www.digitalfaq.com/media/dvdmedia.htm
http://www.videohelp.com/dvd
I also noticed that some others have chimed in as to the fact that Media was not the issue. This is not entirely true.
Here is another post that I answered that will also cover this subject that may help you understand the problem a little better.
Let me see if I can shed some light on this issue, for you.
Maybe some others as well can.
There are several Applications that are standard programs that come with OSX.
Of these, several have the ability to burn a project.
iTunes....iMovie.....Disk Utility.
Each of the above mentioned applications were developed for a specific purpose. However, they are capable of doing more than the original developers intended.
The problem in my eyes is the lack of information for a new user to Mac.
In what one would consider the perfect world, you simply choose a project, drag it in to one or more of the applications mentioned above and simply click burn and you are finished.
This is not always the case.
Often users are left with the issue of no clear cut direction on how to use these different burning softwares, and the ability to have a clear cut step by step user interface.
All of the furnished OSX burning software is in fact usable and works well.
The problem is HOW TO USE THEM.
The more experienced users find this either to be a non issue or will take the time to work with these different applications until they figure out how to use them.
There are of course different Advertisements and FAQ's that cover these to some degree that leave users more confused than when they started.
One of the major issues that accompany this problem is this.
Not all Burners that Apple uses in there machines are the same.
Not all Burners will accept all the different Media's that are available on the market.
Thus leaving many users confused. Not having a clear cut understanding of what the difference is between these different Media's and there use.
http://www.videohelp.com/dvd.htm
The above link offers an overview of this subject.
Apple has found itself in a delima with the Motion Picture Industry, as well as The Music Industry over the issue of offering there users with the capability of copying Copyrighted material. Thus leaving them open for Law Suits.
There was an in-depth article in one of the recent issues of Macworld Magazine, that went in-depth covering this issue.
It is almost impossible to cover all aspects of this issue on these forums.
There are of course different softwares available that make the burning experience much easier and user friendly.
Roxio is one of the industry leaders in the development of Mac compatible Burning Software. They offer 2 of the industry leaders in this area.
Toast-7 and Popcorn.
This solves only one portion of the problem. Both of these software offering give the user the ability to copy about anything.
However, there is so much controversy over the issue of Movie and Music copying, the manufactures of the Computers, and the Burners try to limit the users ability to copy these, and thus be clear of any Legal Issue.
Here again rises the problem of computer users being mad because the industry has placed limitations on there ability to use there product in a fast easy to use method.
Again there are work around to all of these issues.
The problem then becomes who out there is willing to tell us what is the easiest most trouble free method of using these computers, burners, software,and media.
The burner manufactures offer there burners.
To get them to work to there full potential the users then must search out the 3rd party Firmware updates that will enable them to work properly. This is not an issue with all burners but quite a few.
Most readers on these forums have read about the MEDIA compatibility and poor quality issues these are covered in a prior link.
To sum this up, the resources are available to do just about anything one wants to do in the copy area.
Not every copy problem is the same because of all the different elements that come into the equation, Burner, Media, Software, Firmware.
So if a user has a problem and needs the information and the resources to copy there projects whatever they may be.
Be through, give as much information as you can.
Keep it simple, No need for the use of exotic terms that most people don't understand anyway.
In-depth. Tell all aspects of the issue and what you have what you are using and what you want to accomplish.
If there is an answer out there.
Someone will Chime in.
The users on these forums for the most part are more than willing to share in there knowledge, free of charge.
One last thing,
When a user gives you an answer for you problem, for the most part they believe it to be a fact. Sometimes this isn't the case, we have all been guilty of, this is not done with malicious intent. It is done trying to help.
I personally have been misinformed, or tried a fix, that will work in one instance but not another. So tell all you can about your problem.
Cheers Don

Playing dual layer dvd's with iBook superdrive

I've burned a couple of dual layer DVD's (8.5GB) with my iBook G4 and an external Lacie DVD burner.
I used Toast 7, experiencing no problems at all.
The DVD's play perfectly using the Lacie driver itself, or my Sony DVD player, or even a 10-year-old Pioneer DVD drive on my PC.
But... my iBook Superdrive refused to even read them.
The disk just makes a couple of turns and then the superdrive ejects it with no message.
The superdrive plays perfectly the commercial dvd's, which I know are usually double layered.
Does that mean that superdrive is not compatible with burned dual layer dvd's?
iBook G4; iPod 60GB v1.2.1; iTunes 6; Airport Xpress Mac OS X (10.4.4)
iBook G4; iPod 60GB v1.2.1; iTunes 6; Airport Xpress Mac OS X (10.4.4)

I don't believe the SuperDrive for the iBook is set
up to read/write the dual layer DVD's.
I didn't expect it to write DL DVD's, that's why I used an external burner.
The problem is when reading the burned dvds
Go to your Apple Menu and select "about this mac".
Click on the "more info" button and navigate to the
Disc Burning label. Select it.
If your SD is dual layer compatible you'll see "+R
DL".
It says generically that SD reads DVDs
What speed were you burning the Dual DVD's on the
LaCie?
don't know, really, but Toast is set to burn disks at the best speed:
one was a DL DVD+R 8x, the other a DL DVD-R 4x
it's IMPOSSIBLE that SD can't read dual layer DVDs: commercial DVDs are 6-7GB, they MUST be DL and they play perfectly.
and if it really can't play burned DL DVDs, that's really a shame! >:-Z

Will dual layer 9GB DVDs work w/ PB G4 Superdrive?

Has anyone successfully burned 9GB DVD R media with a Powerbook Superdrive? My G4 is about 3 years old and 9GB was not available at the time.
Thanks,

Welcome to the Apple discussions.
I believe you need a dual layer superdrive to benefit from the dual layer DVDs. The dual layer superdrive was only available on the last Powerbook model, with the hi-rez screen.

Superdrive Should Read Dual Layer, but doesnt?

I recently purchased a Powerbook 17" and under the specifications, it is supposed to support Burning Dual Layer DVDs. However, upon looking under my System profiler it does not show this. Why?
MATSHITA DVD-R UJ-835E:
Firmware Revision: GAND
Interconnect: ATAPI
Burn Support: Yes (Apple Shipping Drive)
Cache: 2048 KB
Reads DVD: Yes
CD-Write: -R, -RW
DVD-Write: -R, -RW, +R, +RW
Write Strategies: CD-TAO, CD-SAO, DVD-DAO
Media:
Type: DVD-RW
ID: CMCW02
Here are the specs. I would think that an 835 should support DL, it should be one of the newer drives. But I do not know. Can anyone help?

I believe only the last version of the 17" G4 PB had a DL burn capable drive. Exactly what model do you have? Your System Profiler specs indeed do not show DL capability.
You may get more info in the proper G4 17" forum - this is the 15" forum.

Has anyone installed a dual layer superdrive in early model imac g5?

I want to install a dual layer burner in my imac g5 1.8 ghz machine. Apple chat tells me that this is not possible with my machine. I would like to know if anyone has done this and did it work for them. Thanks
imac G5 1.8Ghz Mac OS X (10.4.6)

I bought a Panasonic UJ-845 DVD burner from OWC and installed it in my old iMac G5 1.8 ghz. There was a wee bit of minor work to replace it (you have to transfer the sled using a Torex wrench and have to remove and replace the plastic bezel.) Installation was simple and took only 15 min.
I ran it for a couple of days, removed it and returned it to OWC. Yes, it burned dual layer disks but was just as slooow as the original DVD drive. HORRIBLY SLOW!
I then bought an external Firewire DVD burner from OWC (Pioneer based drive). I'm very happy with the burn speeds on it for single and deal layer disks.
If you insist on an internal drive, remember the Panasonic UJ-845 drive is universal. ZipZoomFly.com has it listed at $89.99 with free shipping. (ZipZoomFly Part# 175300 ) That's $40 cheaper than the exact same drive that OWC sells.
Good luck.

Dual Layer Superdrive doesn't recognize DL Discs

Not sure if there is another thread on this, I cannot find one. If so please supply me with the link.
I have a Powerbook G4 and it came with a combo drive. A while back I purchased a Matshita DVD-Ram UJ-845S Dual Layer DVD burner from Other World Computing. I never really tried using it until recently.
I am trying to back up my home movies via Backup and when I insert a DL DVD it recognizes it as a CD, not even a DVD.(The DVD's I am using came with my DL Burner) I had a certified Apple Tech install the DVD drive in my Powerbook to avoid voiding my warranty. I bought the DL DVD burner to avoid using multiple disc and to backup my movies that I bought.
Are there any driver updates or something?
Any help would be appreciated.
Jeremy

I might have figured it out, but I am not 100% sure. I think the disc's I got w/ the DVD burner are CD-R's. I put one of them in an older laptop(w/ only a CD burner and it said it too was a CD-R disc.
Not sure if that is the problem. I am going to go buy some DL discs and try them and when I do I will post.
Jeremy

Upgrade superdrive to dual-layer

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