On Sep 23, 4:32 pm, Franc Zabkar wrote:
I notice that some (many?) DVD recorders use DVD writers with fine
pitch 40-pin flexible cables rather than the wider 40-pin IDE ribbon
cables used in PCs. I haven't opened up any Panasonic DVDRs, but after
studying various exploded diagrams, it appears that the IDE hard
drives in these units have a small adapter PCB that converts the cable
type from IDE to mini flex. Does this mean that the DVD writers in the
same units are just PC-compatible IDE drives with a smaller but
pin-compatible IDE connector? If so, is it possible to buy one of
these IDE-to-mini-flex adapter boards at a reasonable price?

- Franc Zabkar
--
Please remove one 'i' from my address when replying by email.

Do you mean the ZIF type Flat Flex Ribbon like this?:
http://www.krunker.com/wp-content/up...diag-thumb.jpg

1.8" hard drives like that used in the iPod use either (44 way) Flat
Flex cables or a fine pitch round pin header.
No doubt made their way into dvd burners designed for notebooks too,
but I haven't opened any notebooks in a long time.
eBay usually have plenty of these type of adapters, search for "hard
drive adapter" or something similar.
As usual, postage costs more than the product.

Yes, DVD player/writers have been using PC based drives almost from
day dot, to leverage the volume pricing.

Dave.