[Macdizzy]

I just installed Panther on my PB. No problem to write to CD-R, CD-RW and DVD-R but when I put in a Maxell DVD-RW (1 to 2X speed, Ver.1.1/2x), the PB spitted it out.

The System Profiler specs my superdrive as follows:

MATSHITA DVD-R UJ-815:

Manufacturer: MATSHITA
Model: MATSHITA DVD-R UJ-815
Revision: D0CB
Serial Number:
Drive Type: CD-RW/DVD-RW
Disc Burning: Apple Supported/Shipped
Removable Media: Yes
Detachable Drive: No
Protocol: ATAPI
Unit Number: 0
Socket Type: Internal

So, it's supposed to be DVD-RW capable, and yet I can't use the DVD-RW that I bought! I have never tried this under Jaguar though.

From my search of this forum, I found that there is actually an unofficial patch for the UJ-815 superdrive to make it DVD-RW compatible. Is this a case of brand incompatibilty of the DVD-RW or is it true that my original firmware needs to be patched even though it is already spec-ed as DVD-RW?

Would appreciate any advice. Thanks.

[chabig]

Apple has never advertised, spec'ed, or supported DVD-RW on your Superdrive. That's why it spits it out.

So to enable that feature you do have to install new firmware.

http://superdrive.cynikal.net

Chris

[iMacfan]

Has anyone used this updater with Panther?

[toans]

Yep. Works fine

[chabig]

Same here. The updated works great and I get the promised speed increases. But I haven't tried DVD-RW yet.

Chris

[cynikal]

just fyi, i've updated the page to support region-free operations not only with the unofficial firmware, but with OEM firmware (so if you don't want to raise your drive's speed, you can still have region-free capability).

[chabig]

If you use the firmware, be sure to send Cynikal a few bucks via PayPal for his outstanding efforts.