SuperDrive Upgrade

Well I'm not actually looking to go for a new drive but was wondering about the Matshita ones in the current powerbooks, because I got a new one and the SD wasn't burning faster than 2x, which is across the entire line... So I've returned that one and waiting to hear for some update from Apple about the issue, else planning to switch to windows - need a portable and a good burner, so that's why 😟

Neeraj

Neeraj,

Apple will likely release a firmware update in the future (when I'm not sure) to address 8x burning given the fact the drive clearly has the potential to do this. Not sure why they haven't done this already but it may have to do with the fact that high speed burning also generates more heat (just a guess on my part). That or apple may address it along with the Tiger release (i hope).

YOU DON'T WANT TO DO THIS ON A WINDOWS LAPTOP...... trust me on this. (Not unless you also like starring at a blue screen).

Neeraj,

RE: "Do you know if there is an inherent problem in the Matshita 835 series?"

You may wish to review the following link for additional background on your question as posted above. I just found this link today & thought of you. So my answer is now ... YES:

http://discussions.info.apple.com/webx?128@@.68a7ba65

Thanks.......there seems to be so much conflicting info on the apple site!!!!

cheers muchly

Brad Clark London, UK

I read that idvd will only work with an apple installed internal superdrive and wont work with external drives...is this true guys!.......

I've just ordered a Mac Mini without the superdrive. Reason being, I already have a DVD burner in my Windows machine. I'll just have to link them via ethernet and burning will be done over there.

However, if I am without the Windows machine, I wouldn't upgrade to the superdrive either. I would rather buy an external DVD writer. Reason being it's more value for money and they offer better specifications and their prices are continuing to plunge.

I guess the 4x drive in the Mini isn't that bad as one would only burn a DVD once in a long long time. That's my experience after using a DVD burner for 8 months or so.

Has anyone had success at installing a full size Pioneer SuperDrive into a USb and/or FW enclosure?
Also, does DVD Player play nice with it?
Thanks.

No it's not true:

http://xlr8yourmac.com/archives/may05/051805.html#S19267

William

Hi William.

I agree with you and thanks for the tips on xlr8yourmac.com.
But I think what Brad question is he intended to burn idvd file with an external dvd burner through fw or usb, which I believe it can't be done directly from iDVD for a non superdrive mac. Unless it is built in superdrive despite it is from apple or user upgrade. But he can make an image file and burn it to external dvd burner or other mac with superdrive built-in.

Louis it worked fine until Tiger came out. Waiting for drivers.

Same thing happened to me. I didn't want to wait a long time to get a DVD burner as a BTO option, so I just bought the $499 mini in the store and later upgraded it with a DVD burner and 1 GB of RAM. I ended up buying the $150 Pioneer DVR-K04 8x double-layer drive from OWC and installing it myself (it wasn't that hard to install really). Recently I sold my old Combo drive for $65, so I ended up paying LESS than I would have had I chosen to have Apple upgrade it.

this one looks pretty good as well....
http://www.macmall.com/macmall/shop/detail~dpno~523839.asp

Parka,

I too have a burner on my windows computer and I have the mac mini connected to the same router. How did you network the two computers?

Peter

Do you mean to say that the pioneer DVD writer no longer works under Tiger? What other drives will not work with 10.4?

SDMacuser,

"But if i had to go with a portable slot loading S-Drive, i'd pick this one:

http://www.pioneeraus.com.au/computer/dvdwriters/dvrk04/"

And a GREAT Choice that is..It works flawless with the Mini in all Mac Apps...Love the drive.