Using DVD+r DL on Super Drive

Which model of iMac G5 is it, dezigner? The first generation iMac G5 only had a drive capable of using single layer discs. Dual Layer capability came in with the "ALS" model.

Cheers

Rod

I've burned 3 +R-DLs on my system without any problems.

I've got problems burning DL-discs: I have an Imac G5 2,0 GHz (second edition) and I'm using Toast 7.02 Titanium, after a while I get a message "Media Error..." I've tried several brands of DVD+R DL-media, but none of them works! Can anybody give me an advice? Or is my superdrive broken?

iMac G5 20" Mac OS X (10.4.6)

First welcome to the discussions.
Here is the explination on the different DVD's.
http://www.videohelp.com/dvd
Just bear one thing in mind.
When it comes to DVD Players, Formats, and Burners, of the hundreds of different manufactures, All are opting to be the Industry Standard, and it appears they insert there little chinks that almost force users to use there products exclusively.
There is always a backlash from these marketing ploys.
In a perfect world you would think any DVD would work in any DVD Player and Computer but sorry it is not so there are so many things that come into play. Format, Speed, Brand, Software used. Any one or combination can affect the process.
The problem is multi-dimensional.
First check in your particular profiler on EXACTLY what type(FORMAT) of DISK's your burner will burn.
Next please do not just randomly go out and buy a spool of 30 50 or 100 disc's because they are on sale.
There is a HUGE difference in the type format disc's you buy
There is also a HUGE difference in the BRAND you choose, some are junk.
There is also a HUGE Difference in the SPEED of the media you choose.
If any one or a combination of any of the 3 mentioned above can cause burn error's or no burn at all or spit the disk out.
So it is a good idea to do a little homework on your Optical Drive and see just exactly what it is capable of and what it will use for media.
(ONE LAST NOTE)
Many of the Media Manufactures are becomming aware that many of the Apple Burners are having trouble with there Media. Maxell has just come out with a brand new one that is. Maxell 16X DVD-R.
The key is read the packaging. this new media tells you that it will burn at any speed from 1X through 16X, and it works very well on the older Optical Drives. I also opt to use the individual that include the cases there seems to be much better quality, not like that of the spools.
Remember Apples Drives to date are much pickier than those used in the PC community.
Cheers Don

I've got the ALS iMac with the Pioneer DVD-RW DVR-K04L drive. I've used Memorex, Fuji, and Verbatim DVD+R dual-layer discs. The Memorex discs were, in my experience, not trustworthy -- they would record OK, seemingly, but then would not play back correctly -- pixellation, skips, freezes, etc. on every one of them.

I've had no problem at all with the Verbatim and Fuji dual-layer discs -- recorded smoothly, and played back correctly and problem-free on several players (a Pioneer and a Denon stand-alone DVD player, and a couple of computers other than mine). However, one of my friends has an old Pioneer player (2001 or early 2002 model) and he has problems playing back many DVD+R and DVD-R discs on that particular machine.

So I guess it depends. As for recording, I've had few problems. Playback -- well, avoid Memorex. Try Fuji or Verbatim, with which I've had no problems.

Doug.

20" ALS 2.0 Mac OS X (10.4.6)

To relay my experience:

To date I've had 3 DVD burners over the last 4 years, the most recent 2, both DL, a Sony 710 and now the UJ-845 built into my iMac.

Between the 3 drives I've successfully used HP, Imation, Philips, Memorex, Sony, Office Depot, No Name, PNY, Verbatim DVD media (mostly +R and +RW). My failure rate over the 4 years, between the 3 different drives (HP, Sony, Matshita) and many DVD media brands, has been less than 1%. And that diversity of brands is NOT based on any research or testing, but simply buying what's cheapest without regard for brand name.

As far as DL, I've only purchased a few because of the cost, but all burned without a problem (Verbatim). My first DL burns were to make working copies of the DL install media that was delivered with the iMac. But to date no problems. And the next batch I buy will be whatever is cheapest on the shelf (And I'll follow-up and let you know when I burn the next arbitrarily branded DL media successfully).

I guess what I'm getting at is, I don't subscribe to the advice that's often given of having to research specific media brands for compatibility. As far I'm concerned if one Matshita UJ-845 will successfully burn any media that's thrown at it, they all should.

That's why I'd be inclined to suspect a faulty drive, machine configuration, or software configuration.

Mark

Hi marzer,

My guess is that dezigner's problem stemmed from the fact that he had a first generation Mac (which doesn't actually have a DL burner installed, just single layer). His profile indicates that he was using OSX 10.3.9, which was only installed on the "first generation" model. All of the ALS models and later (with DL capable drives fitted) came with OSX Tiger (10.4.x)

I can't agree about the irrelevance of disc brands and formats generally, though. I currently use three different DVD burners (the internal 8xMatshita, a Pioneer 109 (16x) and an LG4163B (16x) ) . Some brands (like Verbatim, Sony, Imation and TDK) work fine in all of them. Others don't. Even within the same model of drive, differences in firmware can make a dioference to things like burn speeds and the like. Many "no name" discs, for example, even when rated at 8x or 16x, will only burn at 2x in these drives), simply because the installed firmware doesn't "recognise" their identity.

Cheers

Rod

Actually, my reply was not specifically regarding DL media but in response to the oft-recommended media compatibility issue.

Well, all I can say from my experience is I guess I'm just the lucky one. In 8 years, 3 DVD burners, 6 CD burners, and 1000's of successful burns, and many different aribtrary media brands, I've never had media compatibility trouble.

I have a iMac 17" 1.9Ghz w/ DL Superdrive ..I bought some Verbatim DVD-R "DUAL LAYER" from BH photo..my Mac doesn't accept the disc and constantly kicks it out..on the other hand, I also bought some DVD-R "Double Layer", it burns, but later forms a error and spits out the partially burnt disc..

what's the problem? any help works thanks guys!

iMac G5 1.9Ghz w/ iSight 17" Mac OS X (10.4) Front Row, Dual Layer Superdrive

Hi Wolfiemac!

What are you burning? Data, photos, iMovies? What software are you using to burn? iDVD, Toast, Disk Utility?

Toast, for example, allows you to set what media you are burning to.

To date, your machine does not support DVD-R DL.
It will however accept DVD+R DL This is the reason for your error.
Don