Double your SuperDrive speed!

[ColoJohnBoy]

While I was browsing today, I stumbled across a firmware upgrade that allows you to double the burning speed of your SuperDrive on your 12" or 15" (some 17" also) PowerBook. It also enables you to burn DVD-RAM and DVD-RW discs!

Here's the link:

http://superdrive.cynikal.net/

I tried it out with an Apple DVD-R disc, and it really does work! Apple cripples (sp?) the drive for heat reasons, presumably, and also power issues, but as long as you do the burning in a well ventilated area it works fine! The speed does decrease to 1x if you use cheap DVD media, but if you use Apple's or other high quality discs, it burns at 2x! It will also burn CDs at 16x as opposed to 8x. Here are the comparisons of Apple's version and the OEM version:

Apple's -> OEM

CD-ROM (reading): 24x -> 24x
CD-R: 8x -> 16x
CD-RW: 4x -> 4x
DVD-ROM (reading): 8x -> 8x
DVD-R: 1x -> 2x
DVD-RW: N/A -> 1x
DVD-RAM: N/A -> 2x


I tested both the CD-R and the DVD-R and they both worked as said. Anyhow, I'm sure a lot of you probably know about this, but if not, have fun!

In the off chance that the firmware upgrade doesn't work, the site also has a firmware downgrade, so you can revert to Apple's firmware.

[LimeLite]

Be careful with this firmware update. Apple did not disable these features just because. They disabled them because the computers already get very hot just with the processor. Using the faster burn speed and -RW features makes the burner even hotter. Use it with caution.

[benixau]

Originally posted by LimeLite
Be careful with this firmware update. Apple did not disable these features just because. They disabled them because the computers already get very hot just with the processor. Using the faster burn speed and -RW features makes the burner even hotter. Use it with caution.

Yeah - but the ability to use DVD-RAM in a notebook makes it worth the risk i think. How many people would know that their SuperDrive (all 2x and greater) are DVD-RAM capable? If i could crack mine to do it i would - I do DVDs but can not (yet) afford a RAM drive - but wait - I ALREADY GOT ONE (stingy apple)

[ColoJohnBoy]

Yeah, I understood the risk when I installed the update (I had more than a bit of trepidation doing it - that's why I downloaded the downgrade as well) but it has definitely been worth it. I've been testing it all day, and haven't experienced temperatures anywhere above normal. It runs just as hot burning a DVD now as it did doing regular tasks (not burning) before. In any case, you should exercise extreme caution in doing it, weighing the pros and cons. I figure this gives me another reason to just keep the machine I have now, and not trade it in when the revisions are released. Anyhow.........

[cr2sh]

I don't burn often enough to risk my warranty, besides the 17" SuperDrive burns CDR at 16x already... the rest would be an upgrade though.

[iJon]

wasnt this posted like last week or something.

iJon

[iEric]

Originally posted by iJon
wasnt this posted like last week or something.

iJon

Does it matter? Even if it was posted last week, I didn't see it. So thanks ColoJohnBoy.