Pioneer DVR-109

eCarlos,
I've asked the same question several times on this board about the same drive you want and haven't got an answer back. Seems you're having the same problem, so I decided to go with the Pioneer DVR-106 from Other World Computer since it said it was the original Apple drive. Should receive it today. Once I get it installed, should be the first part of next week, if you want I'll answer back and let you know how it does.
Barry

Hi Carlos,

I have this drive on one of my PC's.. It's great! The DVR-108/109 drives are awesome! Very reliable. I've used Pioneers since the DVR-A03/103 (and owned one since the A05/105)...

Here are the changes between versions if you want to know: (A/1 drives are almost identical - 1xx = OEM, Axx = Box)
A05 - added 4x DVD-R
A06 - added DVD+R(W) additional to DVD-R(W)
A07 - added 8x support for write-once media
A08 - added 4x +R double layer support, 16x -R/+R single layer.
A09 - added 6x -R double layer support, bumped up +R Double layer to 6x.

Hope this helps!

Carlos, sorry to disappoint you but I used it on my "Windows" PC :P

My guess is, since Pioneer is one of their major suppliers (A08 is the one used in the latest G5's I believe) for SuperDrives you will have no problem getting them to work - they should work out of the box.

One final dumb question, once you install the DVDRW drive, does it allow you to record DVD movies, or does that not work because the DVD is somehow copyrighted?

That's not a dumb question! Depends what you mean... Do you want to record your own DVD movies from AVI files i.e. with iDVD? If so, since your source and your own content is not encrypted it will work fine.

If you're trying to duplicate DVD movies that were bought, firstly on a eMac/PowerMac G5 you can only have one drive bay so you will need to copy it onto your hard drive or somehow have a second external optical drive. "CSS" and Region codes will apply and thus unless you use third party software like MacTheRipper to cache copies onto your hard drive while decrypting them (I am not at liberty to discuss further since cracking CSS to share DVDs and promote piracy is unlawful). IOW, as long as your source is unencrypted, copying will be fine.

One word of advice though; all DVD drives in the past 5 years or so, Mac or PC, burners or readers, come with what's known as RPC-2 firmware. This means you can only change the Region Code 5 times before the last change is permanently locked onto the firmware of your DVD drive (previously, RPC-1 firmware was used and you could just change a registry key or reinstall Windows to reinstall it). Again, touching on these topics is extremely touchy especially with the law. There are third party websites available that supply 'cracked' RPC1 firmware. The latest version I know of that this firmware exists is for the A08.

Traditionally, Apple adds native Mac OS X support (i.e. supplies a driver) for all Pioneer drives once they've been on the market long enough (presumably because Apple ships them in their computers).

Because the Pioneer drives are popular, RPC1 firmware exists for ALL of their shipping drives. RPC1 firmware is only necessary if you have non-North American DVD's. If you don't own (or ever plan to own) a non-North American DVD, you'll never run into the limitations imposed by RPC2 firmware. Copying DVD movies (both personal and commercial) are possible with either RPC1 or RPC2 firmware, although the legality of making backup copies of commercial movies (even if you own it) is questionable.

Mike, I can't seem to locate RPC1 firmware for the DVR-109. Apparently Pioneer has changed the format of their ROMs starting this revision. If you could point one out I'd really appreciate it.

eCarlos,

I received the Pioneer DVR-106 today and went ahead and installed it. My Emac, being the older 700mhz machine, was a lot of taking apart but, I got it done and it works great. I understand on the newer Emacs and your's may be one of them that there is not as much to take apart.
I had downloaded some time ago, and I wish I still had the address to give you but I don't, a take apart brochure on my machine. You may do a Google search for Apple Service Source and find one for yours. If you have a nack for taking things apart and putting them back together again, just take your time and you can do it youeself. All I need to know now is how do I view a DVD video on it now. I have a Jimmy Buffett video I can view on my TV DVD player but all I get on the computer is the files itself but not the movie. If you or anyone else knows what I'm missing would you let me know.
Good luck on getting yours done and let me know how it goes,
Barry

You know what? You're right, there isn't a RPC1 firmware for the 109 yet. The place I normally check lists a bunch of firmware for the 109, but it turns out they're all official Pioneer (RPC2) firmwares; I didn't pay close enough attention (particularly because I have an older 107). I didn't even realize it until you mentioned it; I was going to buy a 109 in the near future too, although now I might have to reconsider.

Heh, I was hoping for a moment there a 109 RPC1 was released :P

eCarlos,

I have the same machine emac 1G. I just upgraded today. The new drive works great. Instead of the DVR 109 I went with the Pioneer DVR-A09XL. It is available at best buy for $120. It read it as the DVR 109. It is one of the newest drives with a 6X speed for writing DL disks.

Darin

Darin, the DVR-A09(XL) is the retail boxed version of the DVR-109. Aside from 12x DVD rip and a sleeker faceplate they are essentially the same.

I just replaced my combo drive with the Pioneer DVR-109. But I have a question.... the JUMPER are set like MASTER ? SLAVE or just CABLE SELECT ? ... THANKS for the help.

Darin,

I added the Pionner DVR a09XL today, intially my eMac saw the drive with all read write capabilities, then I continued other upgrades and it only shows the drive with no write capabilites , do you do anything special . (Just bought the Tiger and installed it after the drive)

Any help

Barry,

I have almost the same configuration eMAC as yours.
I am trying to upgrade my combo drive with a super-drive.

I know you mentioned above that you had downloaded the apple service brochure for taking the eMAC apart and lost it. Can you give an idea of what keywords you used to search for the "take apart" work? It will help me tremendously.

Plus if you have any updates on how you got your DVD videos to play - Do let me know.

If any other person (eCarlos, etc.) also have suggestions on what other external drives will work (instead if replacing internal drive) do let me know. Thanks all.

Viroo