Finally: iMac SuperDrive firmware update available

[medea]

Apple has released iMac SuperDrive Firmware Update 1.0 via the Software Update utility. The update addresses an incompatibility with 4x DVD-R and 2x DVD-RW media when used with the internal SuperDrive found in the 15" flat-panel iMacs, and also fixes a problem with ejecting audio CDs that are copy-protected or have mastering errors.
If you dont know what this update is for go to the pioneer page @ http://www.prnewswire.com/cgi-bin/stories.pl?ACCT=104&STORY=/www/story/09-17-2002/0001801071&EDATE=

 

[MacAficionado]

Doesn't this affect all Superdrives in the Mac lineup?

 

[medea]

yeah,the update is stated as being for the imac, but apple has just put up a page for the issue http://www.apple.com/hardware/superdrive/ and it says
"If you own an iMac or Power Mac G4 system that requires the update, you can automatically update your SuperDrive via the easy-to-use Software Update feature (in both Mac OS X and Mac OS 9.)"
if you go to the webpage it says that you should check the system profile and if the Vendor Identification field names a manufacturer other than Pioneer, you don’t need the update. If the Vendor Identification field names Pioneer as the vendor, you may need the update. For drives with the Product Identification DVR-104, no update is required if the Device Revision number is A227 or higher. For drives with the product Product Identification DVR-103, no update is required if the Device Revision number is 1.90 or higher.

 

[vniow]

Will the new update support burning @ 4x or just reading the 4x discs?

 

[Chas]

Dual 1Ghz MDD Superdrive OK here

I checked out my dual 1Ghz (Mirrored Drive Doors) PowerMac, it does not require any firmware update since the DVR-104 is already at firmware version A227. I got my machine a couple of months after it first shipped, it is presumably representative of what's out there.

 

[medea]

if your drive already burns at 4x then it will support both, if you have a 2x burner then it will only support reading (you can burn to the disks of course but it wont make your drive any faster.)
hope that clears that up

 

[seven5]

why in the world do they call it the Imac DVD Update?!?

Thats seems to be introducing a lot of unneccesary confusion

 

[MacAficionado]

if your drive already burns at 4x then it will support both, if you have a 2x burner then it will only support reading (you can burn to the disks of course but it wont make your drive any faster

Also Apple recommends using a 2X DVD R disk because if you use a 4X it will actually burn and read at 1X.

 

[crazytom]

Updater is not useful to me!

I, too, have a silver faced 1GHz windtunnel, which I've installed a Pioneer A03. The updater says that it "is not compatible with this Macintosh model"... *sigh* I guess I just have to pull it and take it to a PC to upgrade the firmware...heck, I just might "switch" back!!! Thanks Apple!

 

[medea]

If your getting a "not compatible" error, then maybe your drive doesnt need the update. check the website.also if you have a mac cdburner, I'm not sure that you could just stick it in a PC. Also the update is not actually from Apple, it is from Pioneer so your issue is actually with Pioneer if it doesnt work.

 

[crazytom]

With today's technology, it's really hard to know who to point the finger at. Apple buys Pioneer drives and brands them "Superdrive", making them their own. Pioneer basically puts out PC firmware updates, there's barely a mention of 'mac' on their website. Apple won't write the firmware updates because they're Pioneer drives, neither will Pioneer because they're in Macs (the imac update being the (reluctant, I'm sure) exception).

When I bought this drive, there was nothing saying I could throw the DVR-103 in my mac, but I did, and it works --- only the diehard tweakers would admit that it would work. Apple says it has to be a Superdrive (an Apple branded Pioneer drive, and you could only burn 2x using Apple branded media), Pioneer makes small mention of Mac compatibility (you have to look really hard to find it) --- and definitely no mention of Mac support. So, they're both at fault, and they're both correct in what they're doing: they don't have to support (my case) because neither of them said it would work in the first place.

Anyway, I don't mean to rant....
My drive fits all the criteria of needing an update, it's a 103 and its revision number is less than 1.90. I really don't feel like sticking a 4x DVD-R in there to really test it out. Though I'm disappointed at both Apple and Pioneer for successfully sidestepping this issue (and it's a rare one, I admit). I have no other option but to pull this drive, take it to a (trusting) friend, and flash the new firmware on his machine and hope for the best. I guess that just comes with the territory of 'do it yourself computer upgrading'---(read: sidestepping paying Apple $800 for the same drive that I could get for $250). But it's all worth the $550 savings!