Dual Layer DVD writers

[DVmadman]

If I buy a dual layer DVD writer can I expect Toast 6 (or any other DVD burning software for the Mac) to allow me to burn both layers (ie: more than 4.37gb of data)? I read on this board that iDVD probably will not work but DVD Studio Pro might. Would I need DSP 3 (as opposed to 2) to get this functionality? I checked the Apple website but didn't see any mention of dual layer support. Does anyone know for sure (as in tried it)?

BTW you can now get a dual layer drive retrofit for your Mac laptop. I have never done business with this company so I can't vouch for them. I post this just as an FYI.

http://www.mcetech.com/pbg4dvdr8dl.html

[NoHelpWhatSoEver]

You need version 6.0.7 of Toast for dual layer support. iDVD does not support dual layers, but DVD Studio Pro does (although you will probably need Toast to burn the disc ).

I personally haven't tried it myself yet since DL media is too expensive. I have read guides on the process, which seem to be make DL image -> burn image via Toast.

MCE is a well known powerbook upgrade company. I have used their services and was happy with them. Remember, however, you are paying a premimium for having a built in DVD burner. You can save yourself $100 by going the external firewire route.

[Frobozz]

Toast 6.0.7 and Popcorn both burn to dual-layer media. The most recent version of DVD SP also supports dual-layer media.

MCE is an excellent company and they just dropped the price of those DL "Superdrives" for certain PowerBooks and iBooks to $249.

[arnisandyz]

Capty DVD which came with my lacie DL burner will also author and burn to DL DVD

[tgpo]

I think even the first version of DVDSP supported 8.5GB discs.

[chikanakan]

DVD did not support DVD+R DL until version 3.0.2. Older version would create and image or write to a DLT tape, but not burn to a disc.

[tgpo]

DVD did not support DVD+R DL until version 3.0.2. Older version would create and image or write to a DLT tape, but not burn to a disc.

No no. I'm not refering to the specific discs. DVDSP has always allowed the creation of a DVD of any size regardless.

[Falcon500]

I heard that iDVD 5 supports Dual layer +R9? Or was that just a rumour?

[chikanakan]

That was a rumor. iDVD 5 can't even make a disc image larger than a single layer disc.

[Falcon500]

That's very disappointing.... Apple have a made a step forward supporting the making of DVD images in iDVD as well as HD in iMovie but they need to support Dual Layer discs in iDVD as wel.

[willrob]

Until Apple starts putting DL drives in Macs, iDVD won't support them. It's also possible that Apple doesn't want to cut into DVDSP sales.

[sdm]

Can someone recommend a Dual Layer Internal Writer for a PowerMac G5?
and why you recommend it?

Thanks

[chikanakan]

I would recommend the Pioneer 108 or 109. The 109 does 6x DVD+R DL and will also support DVD-R DL. It also supports 16x DVD-R/+R.

Pioneer is also a drive that Apple would eventually support with the iApps. Other brands of drives will most likely not work well with Apples apps.

Pioneer drives also have OS X firmware updaters which is very important.

[sdm]

thanks, I may very well buy the 109, any other suggestions?

I use toast for all my burning except music cd which are usually from iTunes.

--sdm

[Regal]

My LG 5120D does a great job, but I have yet mess w/ DL dvd though,, but it does do dl disks

[sdm]

well I found the Pioneer 109 at a store near me, and for a good price I think ($119.95 CAD)

Does anyone else agree with Chikanikan?

Thanks

[sjk]

Yep, I agree with Chikanikan.

If it were possible I'd swap the nice, reliable Pioneer drive from my eMac with the crappy, flakey Matshita in my iMac G5. It's a shame Apple didn't use the Pioneer DVR-K04 (or equivalent/better) in the iMac.

Btw. anyone know which 8x burner is in the updated Powerbooks (for now)? Matshita UJ-835 is my guess, and that it'll replace the UJ-825 in the rev. B iMac G5.

[phase52001]

I knew if I upgraded to the DVR-108 that 3 weeks later the next model would come out ...... oh well.

I removed the DVR-103 from my PowerMac G4 867Mhz and installed a Pioneer DVR-A08XLB with out much trouble. System recognised it straight away.

I use DSP3 to built a DL project and then use Tost 6.0.7 to burn it.
Locally (Australia) can only get Verbatim DVD+R DL disks.
They work Ok. No problems until I got the "Invalid Field ..." message. See ny other post for a resolution.

Have not seen the DVR-109 or DVD-R DL disks in Australia yet, but then I haven't been looking. It's hard enough to find DVD+R DL disks.

[MerlinMacuser]

For a reliable Mac upgrade vendor, I recommend Other World Computing (OWC) located at macsales.com. DVD-DL upgrade kits for cheap.

I have purchased lots of stuff from them and only had one problem with a router which we were able to resolve even though it was after their stated policy return date.

Very good Tech Support.

[sdm]

I bought the pioneer dv109, and put it in my new g5.
Any time the computer acceses the drive, the fans come roaring on.!!!
Please anyone, whats going on?

Also it my system profiler says disc burning not supported.
(Toast seems to think it is- I haven't tried)

And, it seems like I cant boot from the drive either?

Whats up?

Thanks,
sdm

[londor]

Install PatchBurn3.

[norinradd]

I installed one of these *NEC DVD_RW ND-3500AG* in my G5 and its been a rather good drive so far, there also is now a GUI for the NEC flasher.

[sdm]

Thanks londor - I installed patchburn, and system profiler says disc burning is supported.

The more immediate problem is the ** absolutely ridiculous ** roaring of the fans, and the fact I cannot boot from the drive (to run hardware diagnostic, or re-install Panther)

- I reinstalled the cd-rw/dvd-rom that it shipped with, (yes, I downgraded when I ordered it from apple because I knew I wanted a dual layer burner), and what do you know --- the same problem!!!
I now think its not just the drive but something else.

Opinions please. Thanks.

[londor]

Reset the PRAM
Download Onyx (free) and run the maintenance scripts and repair permissions.

[galactica]

Bit late in the game but

I have DVR-108 dual layer. Installed out of the box it natively is recoginized as dual layer with toast 6.0.7 [the little drop down menu on bottom right that use to just have CD/DVD as an option now has CD/DVD/DVDDL as options

Patchburn 3 lets it work with other iApps

a great burner. Did a few dual layers and they play wonderfully, still waiting for price of the disks to go down before thats all i do

[lordsmurf]

tgpo[/url]]I think even the first version of DVDSP supported 8.5GB discs.

Yes, it does.

[hermbo007]

That was a rumor. iDVD 5 can't even make a disc image larger than a single layer disc.

Sorry to say I bought a Pioneer 109 and iDVD does not support it yet. Toast does work with it quite well. I know it is still earlym but I hope I will be able to use this drive in iDVD down the road.

[hermbo007]

Was the Pioneer 108 supported by iDVD? Should I have bought that drive instead of the 109? How long might I need to wait before Apple adds the 109 drive? Anyone know?

I bought a Pioneer 109, but iDVD does not support it yet. Toast does work with it quite well. I know it is still earlym but I hope I will be able to use this drive in iDVD down the road.

[willrob]

Do you mean iDVD 5 can't create a single layer disk and burn it to that drive? Or are you referring to iDVD's inability to create 8G disks? If it's the latter, I don't think Apple will offer that support from the consumer iLife apps.

[rorschach]

I'm in the market for a Pioneer DVF-109 and I hope although it doesn't support dual-layer, that it can STILL burn single via iDVD 4?

Does anyone know the typical pricing of DL disks? And what vendors online sell them? I see a few items $7-$10 each?

And typical DVD quality video can be encoded for, say, 6 hours? Thanks