Connecting a Panny LF-D311SC IDE to an iMac. Advice needed.

[corgi74]

I'm considering buying a Panasonic LF-D311SC as the are only £70. However this is an IDE drive an I would have to connect it externally using an IDE to USB or Firewire adaptor. Would this be possible as I don't know if the drive will be Mac compatible. I am using 10.2 so the imac should recognize it but as its an older drive it might not. Can anybody help?

[galactica]

not familiar with that model. what is it? a HD? A burner?

either way, an IDE enclosure running to USB or Firewire should be ok. Depends if the drive has drivers for 10.2

[corgi74]

Its a DVD burner and I doubt it would habe 10.2 drivers as its an ol x1 drive.

[BDMTHRFKR]

It's a great drive!! I got one installed in my 533DP and it works just fine, I can boot from it and it burns DVD's beautifully in toast. I don't think that you should try a USB enclosure though, firewire may be better, but you should check the drive database (at the bottom of the page) over at xlr8yourmac.com. And yes, they are cheap if you can find one (I paid $165 for mine about a year ago).

[corgi74]

Thanks for the info. I've had a look at USB enclosures and the max for it is 1.5mbps and DVD 1x is 1.3mbps. Would It make much difference if I used USB? I'm tight you see!!!

[BDMTHRFKR]

This burner can burn at 2X, so yes, firewire is the way to go. Besides, the extra overhead (unused bandwidth) of the firewire will result in fewer coasters, aside from the fact that burning at 1X is a painful experience!