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Matshita DVD-R UJ-846 Writing Problem

Rory Manton

Rory Manton

macrumors 6502
Original poster
Dec 13, 2005
250
9
Yeovil Somerset
I have looked through previous posts about something called firmware causing problems with a (I am assuming) later version of the DVD writer but can't find anything specific to my one.

Basically my DVD will no longer burn phots or music to disk. I have tried different disks but with no luck , all I get is a message along the lines of the burner is not calibrated.

The computer is a iMac PowerPC G5 running OS X 10.4.11 and the firmware listed for the burner is FA0G.

Sorry to be a pain.

Cheers

Rory
 
Rory Manton said:
I have looked through previous posts about something called firmware causing problems with a (I am assuming) later version of the DVD writer but can't find anything specific to my one.
Click to expand...

Do these help?
http://www.macintouch.com/ReaderReports/imacintel/topic3839.html
http://forum.rpc1.org/viewtopic.php?t=37425&sid=d14ddf5c9e5886e529ca02679f343594
http://www.thebookyard.com/product.php?products_id=1807

Basically my DVD will no longer burn photos or music to disk. I have tried different disks but with no luck, all I get is a message along the lines of the burner is not calibrated.
Click to expand...

Check your System Profiler > Disk Burning to see what types of media are supported with that model of drive. Secondly, if you've burned a lot of disks, you may simply have a dirty lens. A lens cleaning disk may help.

If the drive has reached the end of its useful life, then I suggest you consider an external firewire optical drive.
 
Thank you for the reply but I still don't know what it is I am supposed to do with the links. I have found my burner but no links ,over there ,to do anything about it.

Sorry for being so thick.
 
Rory Manton said:
Thank you for the reply but I still don't know what it is I am supposed to do with the links. I have found my burner but no links ,over there ,to do anything about it. Sorry for being so thick.
Click to expand...

You're not being thick at all. Those links take a lot of reading, and too often digress to other (related) matters, but I thought there might be an answer therein. Doesn't seem so, and your problem of the burner not working is not answered. As I understand it, firmware applied to the Matshita drives was to try and overcome region locking (by Apple).

Back to your Matshita (Panasonic) drive, I note that it's discontinued. Optical drives are constantly being updated because the media development is so rapid. If you've tried cleaning the lens, and the drive is still not working, then in your situation I would simply replace the drive - but I would not use Matshita again. There were too many negative comments in those links about its performance.

Optical drives are not expensive. Not just my opinion but that of many others, is to use Pioneer optical drives. I understand certain batches of the PPC iMac G5 used Pioneer K06 drives. Lots of Pioneer models to choose from http://www.pioneer.co.uk/uk/products/45/75/442/overview.html
 
Rory Manton said:
Looks like I will be trying to find an external DVD writer. Any suggestions?
Click to expand...

In a word - Pioneer. Numerous posts in different forums recommend that brand. Not only are they reliable, but work well with Mac, no drivers needed in OS X. If you're going external, be sure to buy the right interface, as in SATA, to match your iMac.

Do you want dual format or multi format (Apple hardware limits your choice)? From the Pioneer link I sent, I could suggest the 216D (dual layer burning). If you want firewire speed, then you'll need to buy an enclosure as well, but if USB 2 is okay for you, then an adaptor for the 'bare' optical drive would do (see later). Some serious research about suitable enclosures is advised.

Incidentally, if you enjoy gadgets and 'fiddling about' don't throw away that old Matshita, which can be used for playback. You will however need an adaptor called ATA/SATA-USB. It's a kit which includes the connectors and a power supply. With it you can hook up optical drives, hard drives etc to your Mac, without having to buy enclosures. Not expensive, like UK £10. Good fun! :D
 
Rory Manton said:
How hard would it be to fit an internal one in place of the failed one?
I can do simple things like engine changes on my Landrover but not a clue as to the internal gubbings of this thing!
Click to expand...

Ah yes, I know the feeling, and the only way round it is to do it. My source of information is either Google, using the words 'take apart xxx', or 'disassemble xxx', or YouTube. The latter can be very helpful, and you can download the flash videos with Seatubes or similar for later reference.
Examples:
http://support.apple.com/kb/HT2278?viewlocale=en_US
http://www.macusersforum.com/lofiversion/index.php?t13469.html
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GOo858yL3o8
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iVgL9u7ySUk
 
Just to let you fine people know that the internal dvd thingy has started working again!

I did nothing too it I just forgot it was knackered ,due to a long and hard day grinding away at work ,and bunged a disk in (HHGTTG if you are interested). Supprised, chuffed to nuts, well impressed.

Anybody want to buy a second hand external dvd BoG? Second thoughts I might keep it as you never know!
 
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