This article provides description and usage information for the Apple DVD-RAM Drive for the Power Macintosh G3 (Blue and White)and Power Mac G4.

DVD-RAM Drive

Your computer has a DVD-RAM drive installed. With this drive, you can write to and read DVD-RAM discs, view DVD-Video discs, and use CD-ROM discs to listen to music, install and run software, and start up your computer (using the software install or restore CD) to solve problems with your computer's software.

Note: The Macintosh Server G3 computer requires additional hardware and software in order to view DVD videos. For more information, contact an Apple-authorized service provider.

Inserting a Disc or Cartridge

1. Press the Open button on the drive to open it.

2. If you're inserting a disc, place it between the side edges of the loading mechanism, then gently push the disc in until the drive closes.

Important: Don't touch the surface of the disc. If you do, you may get data errors or the drive may not be able to read information on the disc.

If you're inserting a cartridge, place it between the side edges of the loading mechanism and gently push the cartridge in until the drive closes.

In a moment, the disc's icon appears on your desktop. If you've inserted an audio CD, it may begin to play immediately. (For more information on audio CDs, see the section "Using the DVD-RAM Drive.")

Note : Keep the drive closed to keep dust out of the drive. Keep discs and cartridges free of dust and grease.

Ejecting a Disc or Cartridge

When a disc's icon is on the desktop, you cannot open the drive with the Open button. Follow these instructions to eject a disc or cartridge from the drive:

1. Quit all applications that are using files on the disc.

2. In the Finder, drag the disc's icon to the Trash. The disc or cartridge is automatically ejected from the drive.

3. Remove the disc or cartridge from the loading mechanism. Important: Make sure you don't touch the surface of the disc.

4. Gently push the loading mechanism in to close the drive. For best performance, do not leave a disc or cartridge in the drive when you shut down your computer.

Important: Don't move the computer with a disc or cartridge in the drive or you could damage the drive.

If the method above doesn't work, do one of the following:

• Restart your computer and immediately press the Open button on the drive. Gently pull out the loading mechanism, remove the disc or cartridge, and push the loading mechanism in to close the drive.
• Manually remove the disc or cartridge.

Note: If possible, drag the disc's icon to the Trash before doing this.

1. Shut down your computer, if possible.

2. Carefully pull down the door covering the front of the drive.

3. Locate the small hole next to the Open button below the drive.

4. Carefully insert the end of a large straightened paper clip into the hole.

5. Push firmly until the drive door opens, then remove the paperclip.

6. Gently pull out the loading mechanism and remove the disc or cartridge.

7. Turn on your computer, then push the loading mechanism in to close the drive.

Using the DVD-RAM Drive

Using DVD-RAM discs

DVD-RAM discs come in a cartridge. In some cases, you can remove the disc from the cartridge (and use it in a DVD-ROM drive, for example). In other cases, you cannot remove the disc and therefore must use it in the cartridge with a DVD-RAM drive.

If you need to remove a 2.6 MB DVD-RAM disc from the cartridge, see the documentation that came with the disc for information.

Important: Don't touch the surface of the disc. If you do, you may get data errors or the drive may not be able to read information on the disc.

Note: You can only write to a DVD-RAM disc that is in a cartridge.

Viewing DVD-Video discs

Note: The Macintosh Server G3 computer requires additional hardware and software in order to view DVD videos. For more information, contact an Apple-authorized service provider.

To view DVD-Video discs on your computer, use the Apple DVD Player application. For help using Apple DVD Player, look in the Help menu when Apple DVD Player is open.

You can view the contents of a DVD-Video disc on your monitor. Many DVD-Video discs have built-in copy protection that prevents the computer or a VCR from recording any part of the movie.

Using CD-ROM and DVD-ROM discs

You can use CD-ROM and DVD-ROM discs in the DVD-RAM drive. For more information, see Mac OS Help.

Listening to audio CDs

To listen to a standard audio CD, use the AppleCD Audio Player program. For help using AppleCD Audio Player, look in the Help menu when AppleCD Audio Player is open.

You can also use the AutoPlay section of the QuickTime Settings control panel or the Play portion of the Control Strip to control audio CD playback. For more information, see Mac OS Help.

Warning: The DVD-RAM drive has a built-in headphone port near the drive. Don't plug anything into this port or you may damage the computer's case.

Types of CD and DVD Disc Modes Supported

The DVD-RAM drive reads and writes the following DVD discs in cartridge:

• Single-sided 2.6 gigabyte (GB) DVD-RAM Type 1 cartridge (disc not removable) and Type 2 cartridge (disc removable)
• Double-sided 5.2 GB DVD-RAM Type 1 cartridge (disc not removable)
• Single-sided 4.7 GB DVD-RAM Type 1 and Type 2 cartridge (Power Mac G4 (Gigabit Ethernet) only)
• Double-sided 9.4 GB DVD-RAM Type 1 and Type 2 cartridge (Power Mac G4 (Gigabit Ethernet) only)

• Single-sided 2.6 GB DVD-RAM
• DVD-R (3.95 GB), written using the disc-at-once method
• DVD-ROM (One- or two-layer, one- or two-sided)

• CD-ROM (Modes 1 and 2)
• CD-Audio (CD-DA)
• CD-R
• CD-RW
• CD-ROM XA (Mode 2, Forms 1 and 2
• CD-I (Mode 2, Forms 1 and 2)
• CD-I Bridge
• CD-I Ready
• Photo CD (single and multiple sessions)
• Video CD (White Book standard)
• CD-Extra (Blue Book standard)

Protecting the drive

• Position your computer so that the drive doesn't bump into anything when it opens.
• Close the drive when you're not using it. If dust gets on the drive's lens, it may not read your discs properly.
• Do not put anything (for instance, a cup) on the drive when it is open.
• Do not force the drive open or closed.
• Do not touch the lens with your fingers.
• Do not wipe the lens with a paper towel or other abrasive surface. If you need to clean the lens, see an Apple-authorized service provider for a lens cleaner.
• Keep your computer away from any source of liquid (such as wash basins, bathtubs, and shower stalls). If you drink coffee or other beverages while you're at your computer, take care not to spill.
• Avoid exposing your equipment to damp or wet weather. If your system is near a window, be sure the window is closed in rainy weather.

• For a disc not in a cartridge, hold the disc by the edges or by one edge and the center hole. Do not touch the data surface of the disc (the side without the label).
• To clean discs not in a cartridge, wipe the shiny surface with a soft, damp cloth, working from center to edge. Do not use any form of cleaning agent.
  

If You're Having Problems with Discs or the Drive Itself

• The disc may be dirty. If you are using a disc that's not in a cartridge or one that you can remove from a cartridge, clean the disc following the instructions in the section above, "Protecting Cartridges and Discs."
• There may be a problem with the drive itself. See the service and support information that came with your computer for information on contacting Apple or an Apple-authorized service provider.

Interface

One internal ATA connector

Disc speed

• DVD-RAM: 1x Zone constant linear velocity (ZCLV)
• DVD-ROM: 2x constant linear velocity (CLV)
• DVD-R: 2x CLV
• CD-ROM, CD-R, CD-RW: 20x constant angle velocity (CAV) maximum
• Read CD-DA: 20x CAV maximum
• Play CD-DA: 10x CAV maximum

12 cm (4.7 inches)

Data capacity

DVD-RAM

2.6 GB, single-sided, single-layer

5.2 GB, double-sided, single-layer

DVD-ROM

4.7 GB, single-sided, single-layer

8.5 GB, single-sided, dual-layer

9.4 GB, double-sided, single-layer

17 GB, double-sided, dual-layer

DVD-R

3.95 GB, single-sided, single-layer

CD-ROM

656 megabytes (MB), Mode 1

748 MB, Mode 2

CD-Audio

74 minutes and 42 seconds play time

Laser

DVD-RAM and DVD-ROM laser diode

• Type: Semiconductor GaAs laser
• Wavelength: 640-666 nanometers (nm) (typical 660 nm)
• Output power
  • Laser power: 52 milliwatts (mW)
  • Power out of object lens: 1.0 mW (typical for read), 17.68 mW (maximum for write)
• Beam divergence
  • Horizontal: 7.5°-10.5° (typical 9°)
  • Vertical: 17.5°-26.5° (typical 22°)

• Type: Semiconductor GaAs laser, PIN diode hybrid type
• Wavelength: 775-815 nm (typical 790 nm)
• Output power
  • Laser power: 0.3 mW
  • Power out of object lens: 0.18 mW (typical), 2 mW (maximum)
• Beam divergence
  • Horizontal: typical 6° (standard optical model)
  • Vertical: typical 6° (standard optical model)