Sidebar Sidebar
Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.

Recommended DVD-R media for 2x Superdrive these days?

A

alext

macrumors newbie
Original poster
Feb 9, 2004
5
0
I recently bought a new aluminum Powerbook 15" with the 2x Superdrive.

Now I'm trying to search and see what is the best brand of DVD-R media that I can use and write at 2x.

Apple seems to be only selling the 4x DVD-R discs and that's no good since my drive will only write at 1x on that media. I can't find Apple 2x media anywhere. Other vendors are also doing away with 2x DVD-R media it seems.

All in all, it seems that 2x media is hard to find and 6 months from now probably impossible. So I'm stuck writing at 1x?

What is the best solution? This really sucks!

Alex
 
Re: Recommended DVD-R media for 2x Superdrive these days?

Originally posted by alext
I recently bought a new aluminum Powerbook 15" with the 2x Superdrive.

Now I'm trying to search and see what is the best brand of DVD-R media that I can use and write at 2x.

Apple seems to be only selling the 4x DVD-R discs and that's no good since my drive will only write at 1x on that media. I can't find Apple 2x media anywhere. Other vendors are also doing away with 2x DVD-R media it seems.

All in all, it seems that 2x media is hard to find and 6 months from now probably impossible. So I'm stuck writing at 1x?

What is the best solution? This really sucks!
Click to expand...

I've seen some 2x DVD media at the brick & mortar Apple Stores, but I suspect that it was just old stock so it will vary by region. Similarly you may be able to find some at a local Best Buy, CompUSA or other local computer store if your lucky, you'll just have to browse the aisles.
 
I know :( That's what I have been doing not too successfully.

But the main point is what do all of you do regarding media? Should we all be satisfied we can write at 1x with 2x drives??

Alex
 
I'm pissed about this too. I have a 2x superdrive (new 12" PB) and I recently bought 2 sets of Apple 2x discs and they changed the order to 4x discs! So, even though I got a discount on them, they are less useful for me because they take twice as long to burn.

Question is, will 4x superdrives (i.e. in iMacs/eMacs/Power Macs) be relegated to 1x speed once 8x drives come out in the Apple line?

FIRMWARE UPDATE PLEASE APPLE! (to allow us to use 4x discs at 2x burn speeds)
 
Originally posted by johnnyjibbs
FIRMWARE UPDATE PLEASE APPLE! (to allow us to use 4x discs at 2x burn speeds)
Click to expand...

It's not an issue of firmware, but 4x discs are physically different from 2x discs - the drive has to be designed to burn them at anything over 1x speed. Basically the current firmware allows them to be burned at all - there was a time when using 4x DVD-Rs in a 2x drive gave you either unrecognized discs or a damaged drive.

See http://www.apple.com/hardware/superdrive/ for details.
 
Unfortunately, most of the UK has not heard of DVD-R media yet.. :( :D

Originally posted by Rincewind42
It's not an issue of firmware, but 4x discs are physically different from 2x discs - the drive has to be designed to burn them at anything over 1x speed. Basically the current firmware allows them to be burned at all - there was a time when using 4x DVD-Rs in a 2x drive gave you either unrecognized discs or a damaged drive.

See http://www.apple.com/hardware/superdrive/ for details.
Click to expand...
This is referring to running of 4x media (new at the time) on old superdrives that we not designed for that. My superdrive can handle 4x media (i.e. it won't be damaged by it) but it only burns at 1x speed.

This is not a satisfactory solution for us who have 2x superdrives (something that is still being sold by Apple) who want to burn at 2x speed easily. I cannot easily get hold of 2x media in the UK at a reasonable price so I go through Apple. Now they have lost this support. Plus, how long before other places stop selling 2x discs? A firmware update could allow current 2x drives like mine to burn at 2x speeds to a 4x disc. Then there wouldn't be a need for 2x discs at all.
 
Originally posted by johnnyjibbs
This is referring to running of 4x media (new at the time) on old superdrives that we not designed for that. My superdrive can handle 4x media (i.e. it won't be damaged by it) but it only burns at 1x speed.

This is not a satisfactory solution for us who have 2x superdrives (something that is still being sold by Apple) who want to burn at 2x speed easily. I cannot easily get hold of 2x media in the UK at a reasonable price so I go through Apple. Now they have lost this support. Plus, how long before other places stop selling 2x discs? A firmware update could allow current 2x drives like mine to burn at 2x speeds to a 4x disc. Then there wouldn't be a need for 2x discs at all.
Click to expand...

Your missing the point. If your drive is a 2x drive it _IS_ one of those old drives. Apple simply shipped it to you with the firmware already upgraded. I'm sure that if Apple could just get a firmware upgrade to allow 4x DVD-Rs to burn at 2x in their 2x max drives they would - it would certainly be good PR for that. But it is either a physical issue (most likely) or that the manufacturer doesn't want to do the work to make it happen (which even if it is the case means you'll never see it).

So while I feel for you (I have one of those 2x drives) that's just the way it is.
 
True but, going by that logic, anyone's DVD-writing computer bought in the future will only be able to write discs at full speed for as long as the discs of that speed are manufactured. After that they'll be stuck at writing at 1x speed. It's not like I've got an old computer. This computer is still being sold right now. And the drive I have is slot-loading - it is not the same as the old 2x speed drives on the old 15" iMacs and PowerMacs.
 
Originally posted by johnnyjibbs
True but, going by that logic, anyone's DVD-writing computer bought in the future will only be able to write discs at full speed for as long as the discs of that speed are manufactured. After that they'll be stuck at writing at 1x speed.
Click to expand...

Not necessarily - the format change for 4x DVD-R could have simply been a one time (or rare time) change that was needed for 4x operation, and has some relatively large upper limit on speed. Just look at CD-RW, there are two formats for it - one that is 4x and under, and another 4x-12x (and maybe others). It could be that the current 4x format will work all the way up to 16x or something. It's likely that someone rolled some technological dice and just came up craps this time :( .
 
In that case, there is no reason for Apple to stop selling 2x discs. There's still a market for them. I don't care if they charge as much as 4x discs.
 
I agree! There is NO reason for Apple to stop selling the 2x discs if the Superdrives sold TODAY by Apple write at 2x only on those discs. Please tell me where the logic is in that? Or does Apple figure people won't care/notice and just use the 4x discs? I think the latter and I think it stinks.

I have tried TDK 2x discs but can't even find those anymore. If the barrier point vas/is valid it looks like the 2x Superdrive users are getting screwed. Yes we have the drives but not the media that will allow us to write at 2x. And mind you, as stated, these are products that Apple is currently selling (the 2x Superdrives).

It's hard to belive people are not so annoyed yet! Perhaps as the 2x media starts to disappear more WILL notice and get pissed.

Alex
 
I've noticed that a lot of disks are now being labeled 1x-4x like CDRs use to be. This leads me to believe the issue is not due to a incompatible format change but due to lack data put on the disk to tell the burner what speed its safe to burn at.
 
Originally posted by MacBandit
You don't have to buy from Apple. Just buy a few disks of varying brands prices whatever and test them and go with the cheapest one that works.


Here's a few links to some excellent online media stores.

http://www.supermediastore.com/

http://store.yahoo.com/cdrdvdrmedia/index.html

http://www.meritline.com/

http://www.rima.com/
Click to expand...

I get most of my 4X from Rima.com, and i've shopped at supermediastore in the past.

I'd suggest getting a "sampler" from one of the online retailers. Figure out what works good for you, also check out DVDRHelp.com's listings, they have a good listing of what media, Reader reports, etc.
 
This weekend I bought some new Apple 4x DVD-R media and NOW it seems that my 2x Superdrive is in fact writing at 2x - not 1x as Apple claims. I burned 2 full discs and each took about 30 minutes to do so. So that's clearly 2x.

This is good news. Has anyone else tried this and why does Apple say 1x still?

Alex
 
I burnt a data DVD in the Finder yesterday. It was one of my new 4x Apple discs (on a 2x superdrive). It took 15 minutes to burn (half full, 2.5 GB) but then had to verify for a further 15 minutes (incidently it said it was burning again! Only the console application log told me it was verifying and it indeed did burn at 2x).

That was the first DVD I've burnt in the Finder but I have some 2x Apple discs as well so I could try that next time and see if it also has to verify. Apart from that, it appears they do actually burn at 2x, which makes me very happy.
 
Can any one please confirm if it is possible to burn 2x with a 4x media?

I am also in the market for media. I know I can order different media and try it, but I would prefer to take advantage of someone else's experience (this is what forums are for no?)
 
Originally posted by Bilba
Can any one please confirm if it is possible to burn 2x with a 4x media?

I am also in the market for media. I know I can order different media and try it, but I would prefer to take advantage of someone else's experience (this is what forums are for no?)
Click to expand...

Seems to me that the post just prior to yours verifies it.
 
Originally posted by Bilba
Can any one please confirm if it is possible to burn 2x with a 4x media?

I am also in the market for media. I know I can order different media and try it, but I would prefer to take advantage of someone else's experience (this is what forums are for no?)
Click to expand...
Yes they do
 
I've used Memorex 4X DVD-R's in my 2X burner in my Powerbook. They burn at 2X, no problem. I use Toast to burn, but I assume that you would get the same result from burning using Finder.
 
The question then is, why does Apple still officially say that even though they are 2x drives, when using 4x media they will in fact write at 1x so it's better to use 2x media. It's misleading, especially with 2x media going away.

Alex
 
Originally posted by alext
The question then is, why does Apple still officially say that even though they are 2x drives, when using 4x media they will in fact write at 1x so it's better to use 2x media. It's misleading, especially with 2x media going away.

Alex
Click to expand...

I think they do this because they if you have an older 2x DVD burner and you haven't updated the firmware on it and you try to burn a 4x disc you will burn up your drive. So they don't want to officially recommend something that could kill your drive and have the blame come back on them.
 
iMac Superdrive burns 4X at 1X

I have not checked my 2X SuperDrive in my AlBook, but my first generation Flat Panel iMac with SuperDrive burns 4X Apple media at 1X, as verified by the time it takes AND the output in the console log which states "1X". :(

Maybe the drive in my AlBook is newer and newer ones can do 2X on 4X media. I'll be checking that next.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Register on MacRumors! This sidebar will go away, and you'll see fewer ads.
Top Bottom
Back