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You are here: MacNN Forums > Hardware - Troubleshooting and Discussion > Mac Desktops > When will Apple include Dual-Layer DVD Drives?

When will Apple include Dual-Layer DVD Drives?
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mac-at-kearsarge
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Nov 23, 2004, 04:05 PM
 
I'm assuming it will be in the next minor or major updates.

However, would you all agree it's safe to say will see them as either option or standard in the next 6 months?
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csimon2
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Nov 23, 2004, 04:51 PM
 
Considering the format Apple chose, DVD-R, hasn't even had a released DVD-R DL drive on the market yet, I would suspect Apple's going to hold off on this one for a while. Maybe the next optical drive update will have support builtin for DVD+R DL, but I doubt that Apple is going to support it out of the box in the Finder or Disk Utility.
     
Simian
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Nov 23, 2004, 04:59 PM
 
I agree. There is no reason to think apple will release DL DVD drives any time in the near future. I'd say give them about 8 to 12 months.
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the_glassman
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Nov 23, 2004, 05:48 PM
 
Also Jobs is against the DL burners because he thinks it would lead to heavy movie piracy. (Supposedly) I guess he is protecting his other interest. And as already mentioned the format that Apple has supported doesn't yet have DL drives out. I hope they jump on the Blu-Ray wagon soon. You could always purchase you own drive and install it.
     
sodamnregistered2
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Nov 23, 2004, 06:23 PM
 
I don't understand Apple's stance on DVD burners.

They "Pioneer" [sic] SuperDrive DVD burners, but then never adopt DVD +R, in fact the Sony burner in my dual G5 2.0 had the DVD +R disabled in firmware. Now they are late to the DL party...

Give the people some choice Apple, please...

I'm having no problem getting my piracy on with my rinky dink DVD -R drive.
( Last edited by sodamnregistered2; Nov 23, 2004 at 06:31 PM. )
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the_glassman
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Nov 23, 2004, 07:32 PM
 
Originally posted by sodamnregistered2:
I don't understand Apple's stance on DVD burners.

They "Pioneer" [sic] SuperDrive DVD burners, but then never adopt DVD +R, in fact the Sony burner in my dual G5 2.0 had the DVD +R disabled in firmware. Now they are late to the DL party...

Give the people some choice Apple, please...

I'm having no problem getting my piracy on with my rinky dink DVD -R drive.
This isn't the first time Apple has missed the boat so to speak regarding optical drives. Jobs never wanted a floppy drive to be included on some of their original computers. Remember how long it took Apple to adopt CD burners? I see this as no different, Apple has always been late to the party regarding choices for optical drives.
     
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Dec 3, 2004, 09:28 PM
 
FYI, my dad's new eMac burns to DVD+R
     
addiecool
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Dec 6, 2004, 02:17 AM
 
My new powermac G5 came with a DVR-108 Dual Layer DVD Writer with a firmware hacked to make it look like a DVR-107. Mainly because there is no OS support for DVR-108 in panther as of now. Tiger has it. I have read reports of people successfully flasing the same drive with a DVR-108 firmware and burning dual layer DVD's directly from DVD Studio Pro 3.0.2 and toast. So Apple does intend to suport Dual Layer. And I think that should begin with either a later update to panther or Tiger itself.
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machan
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Dec 7, 2004, 04:26 PM
 
the superdrives in new Powermacs claim to be model number DVR-117d, not DVR-107. however, they are in fact dual layer capable which should be unlocked in an upcoming OS revision (not sure if it will be 10.3.x or 10.4 though).
     
callefoss
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Dec 7, 2004, 05:47 PM
 
Recently purchased my PowerMac with this superdrive model #: HL-DT-ST DVD-RW GWA-4082B
Is this the DVR-117d?
     
addiecool
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Dec 8, 2004, 01:29 AM
 
No That seems to be an LG or Sony Drive. But certainly not a DVR-117D
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tooki
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Dec 8, 2004, 04:21 AM
 
"HL" drive models are Hitachi/LG drives.

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Simon
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Dec 8, 2004, 04:35 AM
 
Apple is being ideological about optical drives instead of giving people the maximum choice which would be smart.

AFAIK you can use the DVR-108 which does all the +, -, and DL goodies with OS X if you use Patchburn.

Personally I think if you really want + or DL you should just forget Apple. Get a cheaper & faster ComboDrive from Apple and then buy a DVR-108 for $79. It's cheap and it works fine. And if you have a PB or iMac with no internal expansion bays, just get a cheap FW enclosure for the drive.
     
macaddict0001
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Dec 8, 2004, 04:42 AM
 
Originally posted by the_glassman:
This isn't the first time Apple has missed the boat so to speak regarding optical drives. Jobs never wanted a floppy drive to be included on some of their original computers. Remember how long it took Apple to adopt CD burners? I see this as no different, Apple has always been late to the party regarding choices for optical drives.
Not always they were early with including cd drives and early with not including a floppy drive.
     
addiecool
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Dec 8, 2004, 02:16 PM
 
Ok here is an article to successfully flash a Apple DVR-117d to a DVR-108 which is the actual model. It works great with the exception of iApps which I suppose Tiger will bring.

Though I am not flashing because I do not get Dual Layer Media here.

http://www.hardmac.com/article.php?id=44
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Simon
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Dec 9, 2004, 03:53 AM
 
Originally posted by addiecool:
Ok here is an article to successfully flash a Apple DVR-117d to a DVR-108 which is the actual model. It works great with the exception of iApps which I suppose Tiger will bring.
But in the meantime (and for those not upgrading to Tiger), Patchburn should make the Finder and the iApps work with your DVR-108 just fine.
     
addiecool
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Dec 9, 2004, 07:24 AM
 
Yes... Forgot to mention that. thanks
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Randman
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Dec 9, 2004, 07:49 AM
 
While it could be a bto option, I don't see Apple doing it anytime soon. Not that many legal purposes for a DL drive yet.

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tooki
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Dec 9, 2004, 04:46 PM
 
Uhh, I can think of lots of legal purposes for files larger than 4.3GB.

Besides, just because something can be used for illegal purposes is absolutely no reason to assume it will be used for only illegal purposes.

Just because a car can be used as the getaway vehicle in a bank robbery doesn't mean we should outlaw cars. Just because a computer can be used to commit felony cybercrime doesn't mean we should outlaw them.

Presuming guilt is a very dangerous mindset. (Can you say "police state" and "loss of civil liberties"?)

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Wiskedjak
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Dec 9, 2004, 04:49 PM
 
Originally posted by mac-at-kearsarge:
When will Apple include Dual-Layer DVD Drives?
Shortly before the Triple-Layer burners come out
     
Eug Wanker
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Dec 9, 2004, 04:53 PM
 
One humungous advantage of a DL drive would be backup disk images of OS X installs. Even basic OS X installs are over 4.4 GB these days, but many are less than 8 GB.

Plus it'd make my iTunes backups easier.

That said, it's not a big deal for me at the moment, since I don't have a dual layer drive, and good quality dual layer media is still very expensive anyway.
     
the_glassman
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Dec 9, 2004, 09:47 PM
 
I can't wait until the Blu-Ray drives and media start coming out. That will make life a ton easier!
     
kremmit
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Dec 18, 2004, 06:25 AM
 
Not for another year I would guess. Prices have to drop.
     
addiecool
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Dec 18, 2004, 08:59 AM
 
Make that another 18 months at least to get to a price range of at least $ 200-300 per drive. Also the companies need to sought out the war for the next generation DVD format before we see something commerical
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