New G5s reported to have SONY DW-Q28A dual-layer burner

[Ladd]

A MacInTouch reader today says that his new dual-2.3GHz G5 has a SONY DW-Q28A dual-layer DVD-writer in it.

Not much info on the web about this burner, but thought I'ld post the info as there have been folks saying that they were interested in in getting the same burner as is now issued as OEM so they would have maximum compatibility with Tiger.

[rotuts]

this must then vary with the particular machine you get. maybe apple has multiple suppliers?

the pioneer 109 was reported by many at MacNN and I believe here.

]rotut

[willrob]

I've seen reports that some of the new G5s have the Pioneer 109 in them.

[Ladd]

I saw the discussion thread there started by rotuts where the owner of a new 2.0GHz said he had a Pioneer 109. Given the MacInTouch reader with the 2.3GHz machine reported having a Sony drive, it would seem that the guess of multiple suppliers might be correct, or possibly that the higher-end models have a different drive than the lower-end models.

More data needed to make a better guess...

[chikanakan]

Lets hope it's not the sony drive since it is a rebranded Lite-On

[rotuts]

oddly its cheaper to get the G5 BTO with the CDRW save 100 $ and get the pionner 109 for 55 $

My eventual plan the next incarnation. it seems you save always by getting the G5 of your choice with then min RAM/CD etc

no idea on video cards not my field

rotut

[pants]

i just got a 2.7 machine and it has a 109

[chikanakan]

Does the 109 Apple is shipping have DVD-R DL support turned on or off?

[thoughton]

Does the 109 Apple is shipping have DVD-R DL support turned on or off?

On, according to the Apple store.

[willrob]

And the next question, of course, is "Can it burn at 16X?" Even with the most current firmware many units can't reach that speed with supported media. Mine for instance. I had hoped the upgrade to Tiger would help. It did not.

[pants]

i'm too busy at work to even play this new machine so i'll have to look this weekend. i'm wondering it it'll allow for bittsetting too. i hope so.

[chikanakan]

I know Apple supports DVD+R DL, but I'm curious about DVD-R DL. I have not seen that mentioned. It would be interesting in knowing the firmware also, because the older version of the 109 had major issues.

[sjk]

Anyone know yet which DVD burner is in the updated iMac G5?

Speaking of DVD-R DL, I noticed this in the Popcorn 1.0.2 release notes:

• Correctly records to DVD-R DL (dual layer) media for data disc formats.

[chikanakan]

I don't recommend DVD-R DL by the way. The layer break can't be correctly set like it can on a DVD+R DL. If you are backing up DVD to dual layer discs, use DVD+R DL instead.

[sjk]

Do you have an example of when DVD-R DL is preferable to DVD+R DL? Thanks.

[chikanakan]

I would say in all case DVD+R DL is better. The only time I would even consider the +R DL and -R DL to be equal for data only or if burning a DVD Video and the layer break location is not important. This would only happen in the case of burning your own video content to DVD in something like Toast.

[omnpotnt]

I just got the new powermac dual 2.3's, and I can confirm mine has the sony. I have no idea if its' good or bad yet ( unpacked it today) but it's defiantely the sony.

[thoughton]

Anyone know yet which DVD burner is in the updated iMac G5?

Speaking of DVD-R DL, I noticed this in the Popcorn 1.0.2 release notes:

• Correctly records to DVD-R DL (dual layer) media for data disc formats.

Why would that be in the Popcorn release notes? Can it compress something even larger than 8.5GB to fit onto a DL disk? What I mean to say is - is there any reason to burn DL disks in Popcorn? Surely the whole point is to compress stuff onto oa single layer disk...

[willrob]

Unless it also has a "Join" feature like DTOX. Then one might put a film and its sequel both on one disk....or both versions of Memento (forward running and backward running).

[sjk]

Why would that be in the Popcorn release notes?

Media compatibility?

Can it compress something even larger than 8.5GB to fit onto a DL disk?

Maybe.

What I mean to say is - is there any reason to burn DL disks in Popcorn? Surely the whole point is to compress stuff onto oa single layer disk...

That's the only reason I'd have to use it but it's capable of making uncompressed DVD copies and some people may use it for that.

[chikanakan]

Many people do not have Toast, but want to burn DVD. Apple can't do it and most other apps don't do it correctly.

Popcorn 1.0 has always supported DVD+R DL. Popcorn 1.0.2 adds DVD-R DL support. It's the only software on the mac that can currently do it.

If you have a DVD DL burner, you can back up the enter DVD without compression. You can also compress larger then 8GB to DL or 4GB.

I like to take EyeTV files, create a DVD image in Toast and then compress that image to DL or SL.

If you had 15-20GB, I'm sure one could compress it to DL. I've done 10GB to a 4.7GB DVD, and it was good enough for what I needed.

[willrob]

In a few weeks there will be an update to Tiger (10.4.1) which will enable iDVD to burn DL. Not sure if it will support + and - or one media only. But Apple has been hyping the DL capabilities of iDVD in their press materials for the new G5 and HD codecs. I'm guessing Toast will update soon also. Hopefully not to 7.0 and an upgrade fee.

I can see that Popcorn would be usefull (should have bought it when it was only $19 with rebate a few weeks ago). Then I could put all three extended Lord of the Rings movies on one disk... and never have the time to watch it.

[chikanakan]

Toast as support DVD+R DL for 8 months or so. Toast 6.0.9 has had +R DL support, and even before that, OEM builds had it. Apple is slow to do anything. Since Popcorn already has DVD-R DL support, Toast will should have it in the next update. Apple will not support it for a while since their burn engine is so far behind.

Toast has supported HD since 6.0.9 was released also, so Apple was a little behind on that front also.