All SuperDrive-equipped Macs are compatible with 1x and 2x DVD-R discs (media).
The DVD Forum has released specifications for high-speed media for DVD recording (4x for DVD-R and 2x for DVD-RW). One of Apple's suppliers, Pioneer Electronics, Inc., has advised Apple that some of its DVD-R/CD-RW drives (including some Apple SuperDrives) are unable to recognize high-speed media, and that using this media may permanently damage the drive.
Apple, the industry leader in providing affordable and easy-to-use DVD authoring systems, provides a quick and easy way for customers to update their computer's SuperDrive. Apple is making automatic and manual updates available for both Mac OS 9 and Mac OS X before high-speed media becomes widely available. This firmware update enables the SuperDrive to read from and write to high-speed media, but it does not increase the drive's speed; the updated 2x SuperDrive writes to high-speed media at 1x, so you should continue using 2x DVD-R media for best performance. This update also enables you to eject discs that do not comply with the audio CD specification, or that have mastering errors.
Note: All SuperDrive-equipped Macs are compatible with 1x and 2x DVD-R media.
Which Macintosh computers require this update?
- The following SuperDrive-equipped computers may require this update (see below for information on how to determine if your computer needs this update):
- iMac (Flat Panel) with SuperDrive
- Power Mac G4 (Digital Audio) with SuperDrive
- Power Mac G4 (QuickSilver) with SuperDrive
- Power Mac G4 (QuickSilver 2002) with SuperDrive
- The following SuperDrive-equipped computers include the latest update. They can read from and write to high-speed media. (No update is needed):
- iMac (17-inch Flat Panel)
- eMac with SuperDrive
- Power Mac G4 (Mirrored Drive Doors) with SuperDrive
- PowerBook G4 (1GHz/867MHz) with SuperDrive
- All Macs with SuperDrive being manufactured as of late 2002 can read from and write to high-speed media, and do not need to be updated.
- For computers that require the update, you can automatically update the SuperDrive via the automatic Software Update feature (for both Mac OS 9 and Mac OS X) to work with high-speed media.
- If you have turned off automatic Software Update, or if you have an environment that doesn't allow automatic Software Update to work, you can download a manual update from Apple's website (see installation instructions below).
- Computers that do not have a SuperDrive, or that have a SuperDrive from a vendor other than Pioneer do not need to be updated.
How can I tell if I need this update?
If you have an iMac (17-inch Flat Panel), eMac with SuperDrive, Power Mac G4 (Mirrored Drive Doors) with SuperDrive, or PowerBook G4 (1GHz/867MHz) with SuperDrive you do not need this update. Your computer's SuperDrive is already compatible with high-speed media. Computers that do not have a SuperDrive do not need this update.
Follow these steps to determine if your computer's SuperDrive needs to be updated:
1. Choose Apple System Profiler from the Apple menu (Mac OS 9), or open it from the Utilities folder (Applications/Utilities) in Mac OS X.
2. Click the Devices and Volumes tab. Locate the CD-RW/DVD-R device listing.
3. Click the disclosure triangle to the left of the device listing to get more information.
- If the Vendor Identification field names a manufacturer other than Pioneer, you don't need this update.
- If the Vendor Identification field names Pioneer as the manufacturer, your drive may need the update.
- For drives with the Product Identification DVR-104, no update is required if the Device Revision number is A227 or higher.
- For drives with the Product Identification DVR-103, no update is required if the Device Revision number is 1.90 or higher.
How do I get this update?
To download and install this update via the automatic Software Update feature in Mac OS X, choose System Preferences from the Apple menu, choose Software Update from the View menu, then click Check Now. In Mac OS 9, open the Software Update control panel and click Update Now. Then follow the onscreen instructions to install the update.
If you feel that you may have damaged your SuperDrive by using high-speed media, contact Apple, or an Apple Authorized Service Provider.
Apple does not provide technical support for third-party DVD-R devices. Contact the manufacturer of your drive for more information. Apple's updater only updates internal Apple-branded SuperDrives that need an update.
Important: Information about products not manufactured by Apple is provided for information purposes only, and does not constitute Apple's recommendation or endorsement. Please contact the vendor for additional information.
Document 17159, "
Locating Vendor Information"
can help you search for a particular vendor's address and phone number.