Installing DVD burner into desktop mac to use iDVD

BevvyB · 18th January 2003

You can't use iDVD unless you have a 'Superdrive'. It won't recognise an external device.

The superdrive that ships with all these new G4 powermacs is actually a pioneer A104/A105 internal DVD burner it seems.

So theoretically, if I take out my CD-R from my desktop G4 and replace it with one of those pioneer drives, then iDVD will allow me to use it, thinking it's a 'superdrive'.

I could go and get DVD Studio Pro and get a faster external DVD burner. But I can't be bothered. I want to use iDVD ('cos it's easy) and not bother with learning a whole bunch of stuff I don't need to know.

Has anyone done this/had any experience of this kind of thing?

MCal27 · 19th January 2003

Bev,
Yep. I did exactly that. I put a DVR/A03 into my G4 400 internet Mac. works just as if it was supplied that way. iTunes,iDVD,DVD Player and of course Toast Titanium all see and use it perfectly.... same goes with the A04 and 5.

Here's a tip: the DVR A104 and 105 are the same drives without retail packaging and Windows software thrown in... you should save a few quid getting one of these instead. I've fitted loads with no problem.

Al.

Etnier · 19th January 2003

I've done it, as well. The only real issue is the fragility of the self-adhesive metallic shielding tape used to tie the drive case to the chassis of the computer. That tape is very fragile and hard to work with. For an illustrated procedure:

http://www.xlr8yourmac.com/G3-ZONE/h...x/install.html

BevvyB · 20th January 2003

Yo MCAL

Good one mate

I just wanted someone to say they'd done it. Saves me the hasstle of trying.

Right, off to buy a A104 then. What a silly name. No wonder they called it a superdrive.

A104...off the M15 isn't it?

Etnier · 24th January 2003

Here's an even better page on doing the conversion:

http://www.kenstone.net/fcp_homepage...rdrive_g4.html

18th January 2003	#1
BevvyB Mindreader Joined: Jun 2002 Location: London Posts: 2,604 Thread Starter	Installing DVD burner into desktop mac to use iDVD You can't use iDVD unless you have a 'Superdrive'. It won't recognise an external device. The superdrive that ships with all these new G4 powermacs is actually a pioneer A104/A105 internal DVD burner it seems. So theoretically, if I take out my CD-R from my desktop G4 and replace it with one of those pioneer drives, then iDVD will allow me to use it, thinking it's a 'superdrive'. I could go and get DVD Studio Pro and get a faster external DVD burner. But I can't be bothered. I want to use iDVD ('cos it's easy) and not bother with learning a whole bunch of stuff I don't need to know. Has anyone done this/had any experience of this kind of thing? __________________ Julian Moore \| Georgia Wonder \| 'Made In Nevada' Project - we're recording our next album in a music store

19th January 2003	#2
MCal27 Mac Moderator Joined: Jul 2002 Location: Stoke on Trent. UK Posts: 255	Bev, Yep. I did exactly that. I put a DVR/A03 into my G4 400 internet Mac. works just as if it was supplied that way. iTunes,iDVD,DVD Player and of course Toast Titanium all see and use it perfectly.... same goes with the A04 and 5. Here's a tip: the DVR A104 and 105 are the same drives without retail packaging and Windows software thrown in... you should save a few quid getting one of these instead. I've fitted loads with no problem. Al. __________________ Hey, Hey!! It's a party... I want to party too... don't ask me about G4's tonight please!!!

19th January 2003	#3
Etnier Gear addict Joined: Dec 2002 Location: Cape Elizabeth ME USA Posts: 317	I've done it, as well. The only real issue is the fragility of the self-adhesive metallic shielding tape used to tie the drive case to the chassis of the computer. That tape is very fragile and hard to work with. For an illustrated procedure: http://www.xlr8yourmac.com/G3-ZONE/h...x/install.html __________________ John Etnier

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20th January 2003	#4
BevvyB Mindreader Joined: Jun 2002 Location: London Posts: 2,604 Thread Starter	Yo MCAL Good one mate I just wanted someone to say they'd done it. Saves me the hasstle of trying. Right, off to buy a A104 then. What a silly name. No wonder they called it a superdrive. A104...off the M15 isn't it?

24th January 2003	#5
Etnier Gear addict Joined: Dec 2002 Location: Cape Elizabeth ME USA Posts: 317	Here's an even better page on doing the conversion: http://www.kenstone.net/fcp_homepage...rdrive_g4.html