What Do I need to Get a DVD Drive To Work in a G4?

[bobber205]

The 400mhz ones.

My dad would like a dvd burner/cd burner.
What should I put in his machine? I heard there was some software that was required to get it running if it's not a "genuine" apple one.

Thanks in advance.

 

[Royale w/cheese]

Pioneer DVR-xxxx series recorders work. Here are some from OWC.

 

[Father Jack]

External DVD burners are reasonably inexpensive and Roxio Toast is IMO tops ..

 

[Royale w/cheese]

I have never had the best experiences with OS X and external dvd burners, but it could be operator error on my part.

 

[MikeTheC]

Well, as for software, nothing is required for the functioning of the drive within Mac OS X. And, if it's installed as an internal, nothing's required under Mac OS 9, either.

Beyond that, older versions of iLife (that is, pre '06) may balk at a third-party drive, but I believe they will let it pass if it's an internal.

Beyond that, what functionality is desired? That more than anything else is what dictates which specific program one needs.

 

[bobber205]

Functionality: backing photos on CD.
Maybe playing dvds. Probably not even burning them for awhile. Oh and hey. Could a 400 mhz G4 with 768 RAM play dvds?

 

[Royale w/cheese]

I have had no problems playing dvds in my 400mhz sawtooth. It is not something I do often, but it can be done.

 

[Nermal]

Oh and hey. Could a 400 mhz G4 with 768 RAM play dvds?

My 400 MHz G3 can play them

 

[Royale w/cheese]

I thought my smurf could play them, but I have had so many of those form factors of powermacs, it gets hard to remember.

 

[bobber205]

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827129007

Is this one of the Pioneer models that will work?

EDIT:

Oh snap. Sure will. Exact same model number as the OWC one but at almost have the price. lol

 

[mkrishnan]

This is the software you were talking about, in case it does turn out that you need it...

http://www.patchburn.de/

 

[maccompaq]

The 400mhz ones.

My dad would like a dvd burner/cd burner.
What should I put in his machine? I heard there was some software that was required to get it running if it's not a "genuine" apple one.

Thanks in advance.

I bought a DVD burner from OWC and installed it in my Blue and White G3 Mac 400mhz tower, and it works great. No software needed under OSX. They have a very good online installation instruction.