Apple Hedges Bets With Dual-Format DVD Drive Addition

[yg1968]

Apple is choosing the Sony Dual format drive over the Pioneer drive. See this article:

http://www.macobserver.com/article/2003/03/06.4.shtml

See also this thread:

http://www.dvdplusrw.org/cgi/forum/ikonboard.cgi?s=52b5a2b9b67804f7752d40dfc2dca467;ac...=ST;f=6;t=5785

[drewson99]

from the article:

But although Apple has switched drives, only the future potential of burning in the +R format has been added. According to sources familiar with the drive, Apple has deliberately turned off the ability to burn in the +R format via a firmware fix to chips directly on the drive's motherboard. According to a number of companies who work directly with Apple, the company has made no indication it is ready to add the capability to burn in dual formats.

why cripple the drive? how does this benefit the consumer? I'm sure there is a reason, I am just not knowing why...

[yg1968]

This is the explanation that is given a little further into the article:

One source, who asked not to be named for this story, said Apple is preparing new versions of iDVD and Disk Burner to support both DVD formats, but until that happens, Apple will not release a firmware update to activate +R/RW on the 17-inch iMac models. At present, the only Apple software product that supports burning of +R/RW DVDs is DVD Studio Pro. The highly popular Roxio product, Toast, supports all popular formats, but only if the drive allows for burning in a particular format.

In the mean time, it seems that the firmware can be patched:

Until Apple adds +R/RW support, users are resigned to -R/RW burning only, or to hacker Web sites offering instructions on how to modify the firmware of the drive. A dangerous alternative for those who have little experience in computers, some resourceful Mac users have reported success in adding +R/RW formatting with patches.

[drewson99]

yeah, I read that, but would hardly qualify it as an "explaination."

so what if iDVD won't do a +R? why can't it just say to the user with a pop up window "hey, if you are about to author a +R disc you need to use a program other than this to burn"?

because Apple has a stick up their asses about third party ANYTHING.

one of the reasons I switched (to PC)

[yg1968]

I didn't say that it was a good explanation

I bet that they just did not want to be flooded with calls from customers as to why their drive didn't work as advertized with their software, etc. They probably expected that a hack would be available within days for burning to +R/+RW. I guess that this is why sites like www.rpc1.com exist... (www.rpc1.com provides patched firmware for DVD burners and DVD-ROMs mostly to make them region-free).

[spiderman2k1]

I'm a PC person and I hate window's it suck's any way. I had two Sony DRU500AX and they suck. They can not burn Khpermedia and Memorex DVD-R's. The DRU500AX is the biggest peace of junk. And if I was a MAC user I would be very mad if APPLE went with the DRU500AX over the PIONEER drive's that are very well made. Sony is like Microsoft they make junk. I'm not saying ever thing Sony make's is junk but alot of there stuff is not worth the money they ask. My friend work's at EB they get about ten broken PS2 in every week. XBOX and GameCub they never come back broken. Only once in a blue Moon. All you MAC user's should be happy that APPLE went with the best DVD burner Pioneer and forget about the DVD+R and I'm not saying in any way DVD+R is bad if I want a DVD+R burn I would buy HP. HP make's good stuff.

[yg1968]

Microsoft is junk but Xbox is good. Xbox is made by Microsoft!

I haven't had any problems with my PS2. My brother has a computer store. He sells much more PS2 than Xbox or Gamecube. He doesn't have any complaints about the PS2. He recommends to all his customers the PS2 (more games on the PS2, etc). Anyways, Sony is known for its quality products: Sony Camcorders, TVs, etc. By the way, guess what kind of DVD-ROM, Sony usually puts in its VAIO computers. You guessed it: Pioneer. But since its Sony, it must be junk. Right?

I had two Sony DRU500AX and they suck. They can not burn Khpermedia and Memorex DVD-R's.

They can't burn some type of media. So you decided to change burners. It's funny, if it was me, I would of changed media! Maybe the media sucks...

See this link and buy media that works with your drive:

http://www.ebisschop.nl/dru-500a/

[spiderman2k1]

yg1968 also I have a back up copy of my Windows 2000 CD. I have install this cd on Pioneer drive and LG burner and my Toshiba DVD rom drive and on my other PC I have install this CD on both of my HP burner's and my Hitachi DVD rom drive no problem install this CDR on the DRU500AX when doing a fresh install it crash's at 17% of the install. THis also tell me the drive can not read some CDR's that well. also please look at this website Class action lawsuit For Sony DVD Players
http://www.computingreview.com/PRD_124273_1587crx.aspx Also EB sell's one year warrenty with PS2 people are alway's are bring them back. I go there once or twice a week. i see people bring PS2 back all the time. Now some people have go luck some people never have good luck. i even talk to people that never ever had a problem with windows 98 and I'm like what that's the biggest peace of junk in the world. The FCC even made a report about the first Playstation being junk the lense was to close to the motor and it was over heating people some time's had to tip there Playstation over just to get them to work. The reason I did not change media was if the Pioneer can burn Hkpermedia and Memorex and the DRU500AX can not there some thing not right for a DVD burn that cost $350.00 dollars that can not perform

[drewson99]

one thing i agree with is if a burner won't burn memorex dvd-r, it is too picky.

[Earthbulb]

Well so far i havent had a single bad burn from my Sony, ive done prob 30 disks... And in regards to it not burning a certain brand of media, i challenge you to show me any current burner which will work flawlessly with every brand media available in its format ? Besides unless everyone has the same problem with a certain brand media it can often come down to something like a bad batch or bad user config which causes the prob.

Yep, the pioneer drives are good but they have compatibility probs in places also. Not to mention difficulty in downgrading bad firmware patches that have come out.

The thing with the Sony is its working great now and its quite young in terms of firmware updates, so its likely to improve further on an already great burner.

[spiderman2k1]

Earthbulb why not try hpermedia then make a post. The DRU500AX will only burn certified media. Also I have a windows 2000 back up CD on a PNY CDR ever drive I have can read it but the DRU500AX can not read this CDR at 17 percent of the install it crash's. Second I have had two DRU500AX still nothing but problem's. Also people that want to change there firmware on pioneer are trying to hack it. if you just upgrade you should be fine

[drewson99]

And in regards to it not burning a certain brand of media, i challenge you to show me any current burner which will work flawlessly with every brand media available in its format ?

sure, I'll take that challenge. my 2 burners, a Pioneer A04 and A05 both have burned everything I have put in it except some Meritline ACCUs which were around the .60 price point, which nobody seems to have any video success with (they did work fine for data, might I add)

this includes:

Verbatim
Memorex 1.1 and 2.0
CompUSA (Generic)
TDK 2X
Apple 2X
Ritek 1X (over 350 not a coaster yet but two that occurred when WINDOWS froze during burn)

what can I say?