PATHHardware Documentation > Power Mac G4 Developer Note

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Optional DVD-RAM Drive

As an option, the Power Mac G4 computer has an internal 2x-speed DVD-RAM drive in place of the DVD-ROM drive. The DVD-RAM drive supports the following disc formats.

• Reading and writing:
  • DVD-RAM media in Type 1 cartridge, one- or two-sided

  • DVD-RAM media in Type 2 catridge, one sided

• Reading only:
  • DVD-RAM bare one-sided disc, reading only

  • DVD-R (3.9 GB, disc-at-once only)

  • DVD-ROM (One- or two-layer, one- or two-sided)

  • CD-ROM (Modes 1 and 2)

  • CD-ROM XA (Mode 2, Forms 1 and 2)

  • CD-Audio (CD-DA data through IDE bus)

  • Photo CD (single and multiple sessions)

  • CD-RW

  • CD-R (fixed and variable packets)

  • CD-I (Mode 2, Forms 1 and 2), CD-I Ready, CD-I Bridge

  • Video CD (White Book disc)

  • CD-EXTRA CD (Blue Book disc)

The DVD-RAM drive takes the place of the DVD-ROM drive and is connected in the same way: as device 0 in an ATA Device 0/1 configuration on the ATA-3 channel of the main logic board. To provide improved signal quality, the ATA bus has an 80-conductor cable with ground lines separating the signals.