Drive Type: DVD+R/RW + DVD-R/RW Drives
Drive Interface: Firewire
Drive Brand: Sony
Drive Model Number: Sony DRX-500UL (DVD+RW/R=2.4x, DVD-RW=2x, DVD-R=4x,CD-RW=10x, CD-R=24x)
Driver Used: Apple Standard
Mac Model: PowerBook G4
Mac OS Version: OS X (10.2.2)
Reader Comments:
My Sony DRX-500UL (firmware 1.0c) arrived the other day, but I've only had time for a few experiments. The DRX-500UL is just a DRU-500A in Sony's firewire enclosure.
The box says "for Windows" and makes no mention of the Mac, and it only contains Windows software, but I can confirm that it works beautifully with Roxio's Toast Titanium. Dantz's Retrospect Express recognizes the drive, but I haven't tested it by running backups yet. I have NOT tested the drive at all under MacOS 9; I've been working entirely in MacOS 10.2.2.

I was able to boot a copy of DiskWarrior (the original commercial CD) from the external Sony. Just for kicks, I made a copy of DiskWarrior on a DVD+RW, but it wouldn't boot off of the Sony.

I've burnt over a half dozen disks so far, including a fresh copy of the Apple Dev Tools on a CD-R at 24x. I made a miniDVD out of a CD-RW (basically a CD-ROM with a video DVD type filesystem) which worked fine in the MacOS X DVD Player.

I backed up my iTunes folder on a DVD-R and it was easily readable by both my G4 Powerbook's DVD (a Matsushita/Panasonic CW-8121) and my Windows desktop machine's DVD drive (Afreey DD-4010E). The TiBook could read a DVD-RW disk (the Sony drive does not support DVD-RAM, but four out of five isn't bad, IMHO). Neither the Powerbook nor the PC DVD drive were able to read any of the DVD+RW's that I had burnt. This apparently is an issue with the DVD-ROM drives themselves, and not the Sony DVD recorder.
http://www.dvdplusrw.org has a link to a utility that can change a bit of data on the DVD+RW disk to make it compatible with some drives, including the TiBook's CW-8121, but not the Afreey 4010. Unfortunately the utility is Windows only, and doesn't work on the new Sony recorders, including the DRU-500A/DRX-500UL. So, I was unable to test it. Dvdplusrw.org describes how some television DVD recorders can set this compatibility bit on DVD+RW's by monkeying around with the remote control. Maybe Roxio can put this into their software. :) I haven't tried DVD+R's yet, but I don't expect any problems.

The Sony had no problems reading anything, including all of the disks that it had burnt. The only problem is a lack of affordable DVD authoring software for the Mac. I don't have iDVD, and I assume it wouldn't work on an external Sony anyway. It looks like I'll be using Windows for authoring and burning DVD videos. Otherwise, although it's only been a few days, I'm very happy with the Sony drive.
Dave

"This is a very early Beige G3/233 with a replacement Rev. B ROM, 400MHz OWC G3, OEM pull Rage 128 16MB PCI video, brand-x Real-Tek Ethernet card, Keyspan USB card, internal SCSI Zip 100, and a 60GB ATA100 WD hard drive on the standard buss.

I won't bore you with how I came to own this Lite-on (40125S), but I got it yesterday and promptly stuck it in a friend's PC and flashed the firmware to the latest version "ZSOP" available at www.liteonit.com.tw/index-english.htm under R40ZSOP. This version was just published yesterday, so maybe I was lucky, because this thing functions perfectly.
It Rips
It Burns (I only have 16x blanks so I can't say if it runs any faster)
and IT BOOTS without a hitch!
Frank
(I wrote Frank to ask if the LiteOn boots OK (from the HD) without a disc in the drive (a past common tip/workaround for os 9.x boot freeze problems with drives like this))
Clarification, it boots fine with no CD in the drive.
Just in case you were wondering, the drive is jumpered as "master", and I did have to carve up the bezel to allow for the higher position of the tray. "

I wish this would fix all the other Beige G3/OS 9.x boot problems reported in the past with fast Lite-On drives. Some said leaving a disc in the drive helped in the past to prevent the freezes at boot, so I wonder if the firmware update will boot w/o a disc in the drive in OS 9.x. (For those with 48x models, I have not checked Lite-on's site for a recent firmware update for that model.)
If any other Beige G3 (or B&W G3) owenrs with lite-on 40x drive are able to apply this firmware update (requires a PC to flash) let me know if this helps with OS 9 booting problems (or post a drive database report.)

" just want to let you know that the retrospect 3.2 updater now recognizes my dvr-105 dvd-rw drive. i have a DP500.
Chang C."

" James Associates is proud to announce the release of MacGPS Pro version 4.0. This major upgrade is available now with immediate shipping. It features very high quality high speed zooming and panning of large Digital Raster Graphics maps. It now runs on Mac OS X as well as Mac OS 6 through Mac OS 9, PPC or 68K.

MacGPS Pro is the premier Macintosh program for communicating with a Garmin GPS receiver. It allows import of background maps from a wide variety of sources. Maps show the user's current location and velocity, GPS Waypoints, Track logs, and Routes.

GPS data can be graphically generated and edited for transfer to all Garmin GPS receivers. GPS data transferred from the receiver to the Macintosh can be examined in far greater detail than you could using the receiver alone.

MacGPS Pro automatically detects which GPS receiver you have connected. It will work with virtually all Garmin receivers and all internal firmware versions.

You can get more information on MacGPS Pro and USGS topo maps to use with it by visiting our web site at http://www.macgpspro.com. Dr. Lawrence W. James
James Associates "

• Powerlogix G4 550 in B&W G3 (rated 10)
• Powerlogix G3/400 in 7300 (rated 8)
• Sonnet G4 800 in 9500 (rated 8)
• Sonnet G4 700 in 8500 (rated 9)
• XLR8 CarrierZIF MPe in Umax S900 (rated 10)
  (didn't note if G4 or G3 ZIF used)

(Warning - Overclocking may not be reliable and could lead to hardware failure or corrupted data.) You can find the full reports by searching the database selecting the indicated Mac model and upgrade card brand/type. If you've upgraded the CPU on your Mac, please post an entry in the database. Search the database for entries from most every upgradable Mac model *before* you buy. (Searchable by mac model/upgrade brand). For detailed reviews with performance tests and install tips, see the CPU Upgrades page.)

CD-ROM Drive Reports:
• IDE Aopen 56x in Beige G3 (OS 9.2)
  (listed under "other" brands)
• IDE Sony CDU5221 (52x) in Beige G3 (OS 8.6)
  (problems noted)
  
  DVD-ROM Drive Reports:
• IDE Lite-On LTD163 16x/40x in Beige G3 (OS X)
  
  DVD-R DVD Recorder Drive Reports:
• IDE Pioneer DVR-105 in B&W G3 (OS X)
• Firewire Pioneer DVR-104 (IDE drive in Firewire case) used w/Powerbook G3 Lombard (OS 9.1)
  
  DVD+R/RW + DVD-R/RW Drive Reports:
• Firewire Sony DRX-500UL used w/PowerBook G4 (OS X)
  
  IDE CDRW Drive Reports:
• Lite-On LTR-40125S (40x12x48x) in Beige G3 (OS 9.2)
  (noted firmware update helped)
• LIte-0n LTR-48246S (48x24x48) in Dual G4 (OS X)
• Lite-On LTR-48246S (48x24x48) in G4/AGP (OS 9.2)
• Lite-On LTR-48125W (48x12x48x) in B&W G3 (OS 9.2)
  (boot problems noted)
• Sony CRX215E1 (48X24X48) in G4/AGP (OS X)
  (no itunes/db support)
  (FYI - Illustrated CD drive install guide here covers G4 towers up to the Digital Audio Model, Beige G3 MT, B&W G3 and 8600/9600 Macs.)
  
  Firewire CDRW Drive Reports:
• Lite-On 52x24x52 (in FW case) used w/B&W G3 (OS X)
  (using modified plugin file from FAQ here)
• Lite-On LTR-48246S (48x24x48x) in FW case used w/G4 AGP (OS X)
• Plextor PX-4012A 40x12x40 in FW case used w/G4 AGP (OS X)
  (using plugin file from FAQ here)
  
  USB CDRW Drive Reports:
• USB Freecom Traveller II 4x4x20 used w/iBook 2001 (OS X)
  (listed under "other" brands. noted was supported in 10.1.x, but not after 10.2.2 update)
  
  SCSI CDRW Drive Reports:
• Matshita CW-7503-B 8x/20x used with 73/75/7600 (OS 9.1)
• Yamaha CRW8824SX (8X8X24) in B&W G3 (OS X)
  (noted no OS X support if used w/2906 Adaptec card - ok w/onboard SCSI in Beige G3)
  
  IDE Hard Drive Reports:
• IBM Travelstar 40 GNX 40GB in PowerBook G3 wallstreet 2 (OS X)
  (illustrated HD install guide here for PB G3 wallstreets)
• Maxtor DiamondPlus 80GB in G4/AGP (OS X)
• Maxtor DiamondPlus 60GB in Beige G3 (OS 8.6)
  (Beige G3 MT illustrated HD upgrade guide here)
• Seagate ST380021A 80GB in G4/AGP (OS X)
  (Illustrated guide to adding a 2nd HD here in B&W G3 rev2 to G4 QuickSilver models)

You can find full owner reports (latest shown first) by searching the database by drive/brand/interface/mac models (the latest reports are shown first in searches). For guides to installing CD/CDRW/DVD drives or Hard drives in many mac models, see the IDE Articles page. The Firewire articles page also has guides on case kits, installing drives, etc.
If you've added a IDE, SCSI, Firewire or USB hard drive, CDRW, tape drive, etc. make sure you add a report to the database. [If you post an updated entry - make sure you use the same name, etc. as you did before so I can find your past entry. Thanks.]
(Entries today will be added the following newsday. Incomplete entries are deleted. Do not post questions in the database, it's for drive reports not questions on what drive to buy - for that try searching the database for reports from owners of your mac model on the drive type/brand/interface, etc. you're interested in.)

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