DVR-103 Newbie - Help - 1X is all I get :(

[italiano]

Just got the drive (Used - Ebay) - Installed fine in my B/W G4-500 - recognized immediately as a Superdrive - TOAST 6, IDVD, all working, etc.

Came with 27 2X DVD-R's - also firmware is at 2.0 (PC Dude sold it) - can't burn at 2X... media errors, etc. at 1X is fine - is this the GENERIC DVD-R's (no name brand) or the firmware? Just wondering... may have to buy some better discs?? FIRMWARE 2.0 O.K. for Mac?

[pants]

http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=86130

see if this has any info

[SERBIAN]

Last Apple official firmware for DVR-103 is 1.90...It works just fine with 2x discs..Even noname DVD-Rs...

Maybe You should try another media..

[WiseWeasel]

I had the 103 drive in my G4/466 (before I got a G5), and no matter what media I tried (I never tried Pioneer or Apple), I could only burn at 1x speed, even on 2x rated media. This was using Apple's latest 1.90 version firmware, and previous to that. I think it's just a problem with that model, as the 104 worked fine at 2x on the same setup and media. I'd say your options are either to live with 1x burning, return the drive (if possible), or sell it and get yourself a 2x or 4x burner (the latter would probably be your best investment at this point).

[pants]

my drive has the 1.9 firm and i can burn 2x with tdk and maxell. that's all the brands i use. but never have problems with them.

[italiano]

Thanks... I'll try some better media - then I'll test it in my PC... returning items bought from Ebay is difficult if not impossible. The seller probably threw the discs in because they're cheapies and not 2X quality.

If all else fails I'll just burn at bedtime - I took out my LiteOn 52X - that hurt. They need to improve CDR speed on these babies... will have to put the Liteon in a firewire case as 52X spoils you.

[WiseWeasel]

will have to put the Liteon in a firewire case as 52X spoils you.

That's exactly what I did, and I couldn't be happier. I never tried TDK, but Maxell definitely didn't burn at 2x, and it's incompatible with many DVD players and DVD-ROM drives. I'd say to try TDK (or maybe Pioneer - not PioData, their lower quality OEM brand), or be prepared to live with 1x, or to sell it on eBay. Don't you know any better than to buy things from eBay, anyways? eBay is only good for selling, never buying, unless you're trying to buy something not sold in stores. You can almost always find a better deal on the same item (or comparable) new from online retailers than used from eBay. Next time, spare yourself the trouble and uncertainty.

[SERBIAN]

I have 103 too..1.90 firmware...And Im burning 2x on ALL 2x media...NEVR had a single trouble...I think this model is VERY good...

[galactica]

is this the GENERIC DVD-R's (no name brand) or the firmware? Just wondering... may have to buy some better discs?? FIRMWARE 2.0 O.K. for Mac?

crappy media will cause errors like this.
what brand are you using?
may i suggest getting a few disks that are "high quality" and testing them
i would bet you will be able to burn at 2x and have no problems.

[italiano]

will do - the drive came with a generic bunch - no name anywhere... Will grab some name brand ones today at CompUSA - Do I need to reflash the drive if it says FIRMWARE 2.0 - I know the latest for the Mac is at 1.9 - is 2.0 O.K.? Anyone know? Can I flash back to a lower firmware?

[WiseWeasel]

Actually, I'm pretty sure that Pioneer implemented a limitation in their firmware upgrades that the drive won't accept a lower version number. Apparently, they started doing this with the 1.90 version. I'm not sure if 2.0 still has that limitation, but I'm guessing it's not going to work. Regardless, you should be fine (or better than fine) with the 2.0 firmware, especially since you say it works with the iApps. Don't bother.

[italiano]

Ran down to COMPUSA - in the APPLE section purchased a 5-pack of APPLE BRAND 2X MEDIA - Still refuses to burn at 2X - tried TOAST 6.03, and DRAGON BURN X, - it's either the software or the drive (firmware maybe? 2.0 might be the problem?)... maybe I can try DiscBurn in Panther to see but I'm stuck at 1X...

tried to install the 1.9 firmware in OS 9 but it refuses to update as it finds 2.0... any way to downgrade with a MAC? I also have a bunch of PC's I could use to DOWNGRADE this drive to 1.9 but not sure how?