DVD-RW's and PB superdrives - whats the story?

jamminjarjam · Oct 18, 2004

I bought a whole load of dvd-rw's (Hewlett Packard) and my powerbook (titanium superdrive - Feb 2002) spits them out in a very rude and annoying way!

I have never updated my superdrive firmware and am not sure whether I should or not. Apple are not very helpful and suggest I use their (expensive) media.

Also, while I am at it, I have a 10GB movie (used iMovie) and its looking like I am going to have to use 3 dvd's (ie 4.7GB each) - is there a way to get round this? I wouldnt mind losing a bit of quality . . . but come to think of it, how is it that you can buy full films of 120mins etc on dvd?

Can anyone advise please?

Thanx!

iSheep · Oct 18, 2004

Are you sure they're DVD-RW? If they are DVD±RW, DVD+RW, DVD+R then they aren't really accepted.

Films use layering technologies, so they layer a DVD on top of another DVD. You can see the jump as it jumps between layers when half way through a movie sometimes. DVD layering may never make it to consumer level because of new technologies such as Bluray.

trpnmonkey41 · Oct 18, 2004

Consumer dvds are 4.7 gb

Film producers have access to 8.5gb and 10.2 gb discs

Aptmunich · Oct 18, 2004

Actually dual layer dvd burners are already available for around $100 in most electronic stores.

They can store 2 regular dvd layers on one side (i.e. 9,4 GB I think)

Theoretically you can actually have 2 layers on each side of the dvd, but then you'd have to flip it over....

jamminjarjam · Oct 18, 2004

iSheep said:
Are you sure they're DVD-RW? If they are DVD±RW, DVD+RW, DVD+R then they aren't really accepted.

Hi - yeah, they're def DVD-RW's . . . can write DVD-r's no problem . . . do you think I should update my firmware? kind of temped to do the cynikal challenge . . . http://superdrive.cynikal.net/

so - am I right in thinking that I should be able to use these DVD-RW's? perhaps I should update firmware - I shouldnt have to irreversibly alter my superdrive a la cynikal to use dvd-rw's should I?

cheers

iSheep · Oct 18, 2004

Can you show us the product on Amazon? I didn't even know that HP made discs!

The firmware really should not a be a problem, the DVD-RW format has been a standard since the very first DVD-R PowerBook.

jamminjarjam · Oct 19, 2004

iSheep said:
Can you show us the product on Amazon? I didn't even know that HP made discs!

The firmware really should not a be a problem, the DVD-RW format has been a standard since the very first DVD-R PowerBook.

Sorry man! Packard Bell not Hewlett Packard!! What is that I heard about us not actually seeing 90% of the things around us when (we think) it is familiar? - doh. Anyhow, here's a snap . . .

iSheep · Oct 19, 2004

Nasty pieces of work those, I bought a few DVD-Rs from them. Two of them don't work. The rest burn all right, but a couple of them stutter when played in TV DVD players. Heard so many other problems with them, I guess they really just suck.

I'm using Verbatim, I got a 25 pack of DVD-R, I'm nearly through it and not a single problem.

jamminjarjam · Oct 20, 2004

Fair enough - I have no problem with various dvd-r either - but what about dvd-rw? do/can you use them at all?

iSheep · Oct 20, 2004

I've used DVD-RW before and it worked fine.

jamminjarjam · Oct 21, 2004

iSheep said:
I've used DVD-RW before and it worked fine.

have tried a few other makes of dvd-rw at my local store and they get spat out as well . . . .

Does anybody know what might be up? do I need to update my firmware? this is a titanium PB bought in Feb 2002 and hardware has never been updated in any way - memory, superdrive, nothing . . . ?

Cheers

: )

DVD-RW's and PB superdrives - whats the story?

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