Firmware, tis only firmware for DVD drives.

[JackAxe]

The difference between a 2.4x, 4x and 8x DVD burner is only firmware.

I wonder if the same is true for 16x?

I need to get an external dual layer DVD burner for backup. Who's the better option; Sony or Pioneer?


<]=)

[Cyker]

I just got a Plextor 716A. It slays every other burner out there.

Thery do an external version. I bet it rocks too :)

[JackAxe]

My friend just said to get a Plextor, so I'm going to go with them. Two opinions have me sold. Thanks. :)

<]=)

[JackAxe]

I'm going to get this one:

http://shop3.outpost.com/product/4331885?site=sr:SEARCH:MAIN_RSLT_PG

http://www.plextor.com/english/products/716uf.htm

The secondary monitor port (B) on my 22" CRT, which is conneccted to my old Mac and one of the PCs just died. :rolleyes: Oh well, the screen is about 5 years old, so it was bound to happend. Time to buy a 19" LCD wtih dual DVI connectors to replace it. *Grumbles*

<]=)

[zackepceo]

Nope, 12x and 16x are hardware thingies. The difference between dual layer and not on many drives is firmware, however.

[JackAxe]

My drives on the powerbooks and G4 desktop are only 2X, so I can't ugprade them. :(

If I can upgrade my G5's superdrive to dual layer with firmware, I would be very very very happy. Then I wouldn't need to buy that Plextor. I wonder if Apple will be nice and offer it, if available?

<]=)

[Cyker]

To my knowledge, the only burners that people have successfully hacked into being Dual Layer are certain Lite-Ons.

This doesn't necessarily mean it's possible for all burners 'tho:
Lite-On, for some reason, have one of the most active hacking communities; They've done stuff like add dual layer, increase burn speed & even improve quality and writing strategies!

You won't see this with most other drives.

Poke around www.cdfreaks.com and the forum club.cdfreaks.com - It's a goldmine of info! Just make sure you do a search before asking silly questions ;)

[JackAxe]

Freak, there's an entire community for this, but burners are sooooooo inexpensive. :eek: :)

Cool. I'm going to snoop around.

<]=)

[JackAxe]

Holy CRAP!!!! Apple lists my DVD buner as a Pioneer DVR-117D, which is some weird number not related to any normal naming scheme. Anyways, the number listed on the physical drive is a "DVR-108AA." (Lot's of other peeps found this out on-line.) The DVR-108A is a 4X Dual layer drive. So what is a 108AA(Maybe 8x, or even 16x. :)) and why the FREAK did Apple disable my dual layer option? :mad:

Thanks for that link, it gave me the initiative to search for my drive. :)

Must find firmware.

<]=)

[JackAxe]

I found a way to do it, but I would need to install the drive in my PC and then flash it. But then I would loose my Apple specific support, like drag and drop burning from the Finder and would need to purchase toast. Anyways, some peeps said that Tiger will offer DL support and unlock these drives, so I'll wait. :) Apple's just waiting to announce it with Tiger and whatever new G5 they have in the mix.

I just bought 50 8x discs, if Apple would've just made my drive DL from the begining, then I would've bought 16x +R discs the other day. :rolleyes: *Grumbles*

I hope the AA is 8x DL instead of 4x. :D Waffles!!!

<]=)