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Macpilot · Apr 8, 2003, 12:42 PM

OK, I need to add the Superdrive to my Combo 867, and have looked on dealmac.com for the drive.

I found the "DVR-A05" for $248 from this ESbuy place.

It says the drive is the retail version and NOT the OEM version which is called the DVR-105.

Does anybody here know the difference between these two drives, or is it just a designation?

Will the A05 work in the Power Mac?

Thanks guys!

Zoom · Apr 8, 2003, 01:41 PM

I think either one will work fine. Everything I've seen on this talks about the two drives interchangeably. Also, look for the Cendyne branded model. It's internally a Pioneer 105/A05, but it's often on sale for much less. Staples.com seems to have this on sale periodically for around $150-180. I'm waiting for one myself.

Keep an eye on dealmac.

Macpilot · Apr 8, 2003, 01:45 PM

Thanks dude!

Mac Zealot · Apr 8, 2003, 04:26 PM

The DVR-105 and A-05 are the exact same thing.. the only differences are slight (in firmware version which is usually the same but a different label), and in the fact the front cover on the 105 has no drive-plate, while the A05 does.

Macpilot · Apr 8, 2003, 05:11 PM

OK, so with iDVD you can burn DVDs that will play in ANY home DVD player?

I am doing a project that will be for a birthday party, and this DVD needs to play on a Sony DVD player.

Some dude at the CompUSA store I just went to said the Apple Superdrives burn DVDs that "don't play in Sony DVD players". I find that hard to believe. Maybe I should check out the Apple site to see if there is any tech info on this before I spend money on something that is useless.

Macpilot · Apr 8, 2003, 05:14 PM

Just checked the Apple site, and there are all kinds of Sony players that work. Those CompUSA guys are boneheads!

Zoom · Apr 8, 2003, 07:54 PM

There are various DVD formats. The standard used by home DVD players, I believe, is DVD-R (someone correct me if I'm wrong). There are many other formats such as DVD+R, DVD-RW, DVD+RW, DVD-RAM, etc. Most burners only handle a subset of these. Maybe this guy thought that the Superdrive couldn't do DVD-R, but it can.

For lots of good info and newbie help, check out DVDRhelp.com. If you check the list of players, you'll see that the Pioneer A05 supports DVD-R and DVD-RW.

bradoesch · Apr 9, 2003, 09:51 AM

Originally posted by Zoom:
There are various DVD formats. The standard used by home DVD players, I believe, is DVD-R (someone correct me if I'm wrong).

You're almost right. There's no standard unfortunately, but more players play DVD-R than DVD+R.