[osxrules]

I don't know if this is the normal speed but I read somewhere it was supposed to burn at 4x. I'm using TDK brand DVD-Rs and they are 2x, 4x, 8x and my external firewire LG drive supports all the speeds. Superdrive only does 2x.

I also have TDK DVD+RW and they burn at 2x with the superdrive and 4x with the LG and I got some Philips DVD+RWs and again superdrive = 2x, LG = 4x. There are firmware updates for the imac G5 and emac superdrives but none for Mac Mini.

[sodamnregistered2]

Maybe still try diferent brand DVD recordable media? There is still some voodoo to it sometimes...

Just one small reason why I went for a mini with the Combo drive. It's easier to keep a current level DVD burner in an external firewire case.

[osxrules]

I actually did the same and ordered the combo one but my local retailer mixed up the order so I got a superdrive one cheaper.

I never usually use the Superdrive but my internal HD failed so I am having to run from a HD in my firewire case, which means my LG DVD drive is not in use. I got another firewire case and it turned out to be faulty so I'm stuck with the superdrive for the next week.

I just don't understand the compatibility issues with DVD drives. The discs I buy all say that they comply with the DVD-R general version 2 and version 3 for 8x. I don't remember these issues with CDs.

BTW, did you put a Hitachi 7k60 drive in your Mini? Can I ask where you bought it and for how much? I'm thinking of getting a 7200 in my Mini too and since my HD is broken, it's the prefect time to do it.

[uicandrew]

i use toast to burn my dvds and at first, i thought it was taking 30 minutes to burn a dvd (2x) but then i realized that the toast program, by default, verifies the dvd before ejecting it. maybe that is the case for you? my dvds burn in roughly 15 minutes now that the verifying is turned off

[osxrules]

No, I have Toast set to ask me if I want to verify. For the actual burn it takes 27 minutes.

It also gives me the available write speeds in the list that is set at best by default. There are only 1x and 2x in the list with the superdrive but also 4x and 8x on the LG.

What brand of media are you using?

[mkral]

I just read something about this @ 123macmini.com. It seems that the superdrive doesn't work @ 4x on all media. I know that Philips & imation DVD's burn @ 4x, as do the target bradn (e-gear)

[uicandrew]

i am using office depot branded dvds. (they are rebadged ritek/ridata)

[osxrules]

TDK, Philips and Sony are the only kind I can buy locally. I have some Philips DVD+RW but they are only burning at 2x. Apple really needs to get their levels of support sorted out.

I find it a bit ridiculous that a cheap off the shelf LG burner from a PC store supports better burn speeds and more media types than one that comes from Apple with my computer.

It's not like I can go around buying DVDs from everywhere to find ones that work.

[turtle777]

The Superdrive is crippled, probably a design flaw.

There is an e-petition urging Apple to fix it.
You guys should sign it. Maybe it will change something...

http://superdrive.crc.id.au/

-t