CD's no, DVD's yes

Unlike some of the other posts on this thread, my MacBook refuses to read CD media. Which includes brand new music discs, and even an iWork install disc. DVD's on the other hand read just fine, movies and the Mac OS X disc that came with the Macbook are working.
I've tried the usual suggested fixes posted here (PRAM, PMU etc)
I know at some point there was a 2.1 version of the DVD firmware available, but it has since been removed from Apple's servers. Anyone know where I can find it?

Doc:
I had a PowerBook G4 12 inch model with the same problem. Ended up going in for repair.
Ted

Similar Messages

Mixing XDCAM and HDV?? Outputting to SD DVD...

Hi
Earlier this year we shot a documentary on a Sony PDW-F350L HD XDCam (great camera, stunning footage - 35Mbps). Working in FCP has been fine.
We're doing a follow up and budget and logistics dictate that we sadly can't use 350s again (where we're going, carrying 2 Z1s for example is going to be a lot easier). We're also on a fairly steep learning curve (being relatively new to FCP, Compressor etc).
So I'm looking at options. We know that there are significant differences between say a Z1 and a 350 but from my research so far and from some relatively simple testing mixing Z1 footage (native) and 350 footage on FCP, at least editing on the timeline doesn't seem like it's going to present any problems (although thoughts on that welcome).
The issue seems to be outputting. In the first instance we'll be outputting to SD DVD. Yes, that old gem...
Searching round various forums, it seems this problem (HDV - SD) is fairly universal. Solutions seem to range from not working in Native HDV (suggestions vary on the format to ingest in - AIC etc); outputting to different formats first (eg DVCPro HD) and then to MPEG-2; outputting the timeline to tape (DV), re-importing; using some thing like a Matrox MXO to output and others...
We're aware of the shortcoming of HDV and the compressed nature of the format and our expectations, given our kit are realistic. I've even tried putting some PD150 footage on the timeline but that's just not going to cut it.
So, I've got to put a kit list together by next week and wondered if anyone had any thoughts on:
1) Mixing XDCAM and HDV on the timeline and any gotchas we should watch out for.
but more importantly
2) Any suggested routes I can look at to get some reasonable output with these two formats on the timeline - particularly HDV (don't think we'll have time to look at the Matrox route right now).
Many thanks in advance for any thoughts.
Cheers

Thanks Andy, Michael
That's good input. From an editing point of view we seem to be ok. Although, Michael, I take your point and that's a good suggestion.
The main problem is the workflow to create a decent SD DVD without the artefacts caused by compression/motion etc in HDV (and to some extent XDCAM).
Have read the prores whitepaper at
http://images.apple.com/finalcutstudio/resources/whitepapers/L342568A_ProResWP.pdf
And looked a little more into understanding GOP structures and it seems that ProRes will help in terms of editing.
The white paper seems to suggest that converting to ProRes, because it uses I frame–only encoding "Ensures consistent quality in every frame and no artifacts from complex motion. "
We'll try some tests but, does anyone know if this is true?
But it also seems that deinterlacing may solve some of the horrendous vertical edge rippling we're getting on the HDV footage when outputting to SD DVD - although if I'm honest I'm not sure how we achive that with our current setting.

Resolution to non-playing DVD problem?

It's been a while since I last dropped in here. Fortunately, I haven't had any problems! I was wondering if anyone ever figured out why so many people were having problems with DVD's that would play in their computers but not on DVD players. I may have an idea. I created a DVD project in iDVD 4.0 as a starting template. When I start a new project, I make a copy of the template and then proceed to modify it. Could this be the problem? In other words, could I get around the problem by deleting the template and creating a new template in iDVD 4.0.1 or iDVD 5? I was never able to get a playable DVD with either of these versions. Is there any chance this might work? It would be a bit of a pain to try it since I would have to upgrade the software and then reinstall the old version if there's a problem. But I will give it a try if anyone thinks it might work.
G5 + Powerbook G4 Mac OS X (10.3.8)

Your original message said " I was wondering if anyone ever figured out why so many people were having problems with DVD's that would play in their computers but not on DVD players."
My reply was to that 'observation'.
I've been burning DVDs with the all the iDVD versions almost from the start of DVD burning on the Mac and have been a participant in these forums for all of that period. The necessary second generation 'Superdrives' could write at a maximum of 2x. There were some problems with DVD player compatability (discs would play in a computer drive but not in a stand-alone DVD player) at that time that were resolved by changing the brand of media (not all brands of media have the same rate of burn-errors).
As DVD burners have increased in burn speed (4x, 8x and now 16x) we have seen a major increase in compatability problems on the forum which no longer can always be resolved by changing media brand. Higher speed burns create more burn-errors. Computer drives have the necessary error correction techniques to correct for these errors on playback. Consumer DVD players don't include the necessary error correction techniques to correct for these errors on playback because the stamped discs they are designed to play don't have these errors.
I have observed the problem on several different computers with several
different drives. I never have problems with iDVD 4.0. I am never able to get
a playable disc using 4.0.1 or greater. It also has nothing whatsoever to do
with the media.
If the DVD discs you produce can't be played in computer drives as well as consumer DVD players, yes, you have a different problem. However, that was not addressed in your original statement " I was wondering if anyone ever figured out why so many people were having problems with DVD's that would play in their computers but not on DVD players".

Getting material from dvd in fcp

Hi!
I don´t know how to get material (I suppose digibeta from TV) in fcp. I only get Video and Audio seperated! Will the quality of the material be better, if I get the original digibeta material?
Help!
Mel

I'm not sure what your situation is there, Melanie. Is the material encoded onto a viewable DVD? Or a QuickTime stored on it as a DVDROM? If encoded as a DVD, then yes, you would be far better off getting the original source tapes. If the QuickTimes are stored on a DVDROM, be sure to drag them to your media HD before using them, they won't playback fast enough from the DVD.
Patrick

Why the Blank DVD can not be found in Super Drive?

With my new Mac Book Pro which I created severeal DVDs in past month, all of a sudden I have problem. In Both DVD Studio Pro and iDVD I can not burn the final video which is 35 minutes. Each time I attempt to burn my project, the disk is ejected with a message asking me to insert an acceptable disk because it couldn't find the blank DVD. I have used different brands and still no luck. I tested my hard drive with *TechTool Deluxe* and also the Mac Book Pro's 1st dick of installation and in both cases everything was fine and passes the test. I've updated all of my soft ware as well.
Would you please kindly share your knowlege to solve this problem.

Thank you for your time. I have tried Verbatim(Digital Movie DVD-R) which I used before with my Mac Book Pro and also apple DVD-R. Yes I can see my own burned DVDs and also all commercial one in my drive.
Any suggestions

Pse8, copying slide show to dvd

Can slide shows from PSE8 be copied to DVD?

Yes, but not directly. Elements can make a data dvd, but not a video dvd. You need to save the slideshow as a WMV file then use another program (premiere elements, whatever software came with your dvd burner) to create the proper directory structure if you mean you want to make a video dvd that will play in a regular dvd player.

Burn podcast to DVD

Can you copy a podcast to a dvd disc so that you can watch from the TV as it is being played from a dvd player instead of watching it only from your computer?

You would need a burning program that supports the burning of video files to DVDs, but yes, it can be done.
I'm sure Google will yield lots of results.
Hope this helps.

HDV outputting to SD DVD... + mixing with XDCAM

Hi
Earlier this year we shot a documentary on a Sony PDW-F350L HD XDCam (great camera, stunning footage - 35Mbps). Working in FCP has been fine.
We're doing a follow up and budget and logistics dictate that we sadly can't use 350s again (where we're going, carrying 2 Z1s for example is going to be a lot easier). We're also on a fairly steep learning curve (being relatively new to FCP, Compressor etc).
So I'm looking at options. We know that there are significant differences between say a Z1 and a 350 but from my research so far and from some relatively simple testing mixing Z1 footage (native) and 350 footage on FCP, at least editing on the timeline doesn't seem like it's going to present any problems (although thoughts on that welcome).
The issue seems to be outputting. In the first instance we'll be outputting to SD DVD. Yes, that old gem...
Searching round various forums, it seems this problem (HDV - SD) is fairly universal. Solutions seem to range from not working in Native HDV (suggestions vary on the format to ingest in - AIC etc); outputting to different formats first (eg DVCPro HD) and then to MPEG-2; outputting the timeline to tape (DV), re-importing; using some thing like a Matrox MXO to output and others...
We're aware of the shortcoming of HDV and the compressed nature of the format and our expectations, given our kit are realistic. I've even tried putting some PD150 footage on the timeline but that's just not going to cut it.
So, I've got to put a kit list together by next week and wondered if anyone had any thoughts on:
1) Mixing XDCAM and HDV on the timeline and any gotchas we should watch out for.
but more importantly
2) Any suggested routes I can look at to get some reasonable output with these two formats on the timeline - particularly HDV (don't think we'll have time to look at the Matrox route right now).
Many thanks in advance for any thoughts.

Thanks Andy, Michael
That's good input. From an editing point of view we seem to be ok. Although, Michael, I take your point and that's a good suggestion.
The main problem is the workflow to create a decent SD DVD without the artefacts caused by compression/motion etc in HDV (and to some extent XDCAM).
Have read the prores whitepaper at
http://images.apple.com/finalcutstudio/resources/whitepapers/L342568A_ProResWP.pdf
And looked a little more into understanding GOP structures and it seems that ProRes will help in terms of editing.
The white paper seems to suggest that converting to ProRes, because it uses I frame–only encoding "Ensures consistent quality in every frame and no artifacts from complex motion. "
We'll try some tests but, does anyone know if this is true?
But it also seems that deinterlacing may solve some of the horrendous vertical edge rippling we're getting on the HDV footage when outputting to SD DVD - although if I'm honest I'm not sure how we achive that with our current setting.

Pogue says still pics look awful in dvd--true?

David Pogue (in iMovie & iDVD 5) says "Mac fans try to turn their digital photos into DVD slideshows using iMovie--and find out that the photos look terrible" once the iMovie is burned to dvd. He blames this on "iMovie's low-quality photo-rendering..." (p. 489) He suggests applying the Ken Burns effect to all photos, thereby turning them into video clips rather than stills. Ok, fine, but I want stills in my iMovie. I know that you can utilize the Burns effect without actually "moving" the picture. Will this, though, bypass the poor quality of the pictures on dvd?

Will this, though, bypass the poor quality of the pictures on dvd?
Yes.
Karl

Developing a Website to be run from a DVD?

I'm a newcomer to Dreamweaver though I have some experience
with other web development tools. I've been asked to design an
interactive DVD. Yes, I know Director is the preferred application
but I don't want to learn Director for this single project. Is
there technology I can buy that will serve the site from the DVD?
Any products that will do so and read tables?

Hi Vooc,
You can do a straight HTML/CSS based site and run it from a
DVD, you can
even have some JavaScript, anything that is Client Side, or
browser based.
Unfortunately, when you say "interactive" It sounds like you
are looking for
more than this. Although you could do quite a bit with AJAX,
you will be
limited to reading data. Interactive implies writing as well,
and there's
where your going to get stuck. There's where you'll need
Director - OR -
what I would suggest is taking a good look at Adobe AIR:
http://labs.adobe.com/technologies/air/
This technology opens huge doors of possibility for this sort
of thing!
Lawrence Cramer
Cartweaver.com
"Vooc" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:f78pb4$6is$[email protected]..
> I'm a newcomer to Dreamweaver though I have some
experience with other web
> development tools. I've been asked to design an
interactive DVD. Yes, I
> know
> Director is the preferred application but I don't want
to learn Director
> for
> this single project. Is there technology I can buy that
will serve the
> site
> from the DVD? Any products that will do so and read
tables?
>

ITunes burn to DVD?

I know there are many ways I can move music to another Mac - but I'm only interested in this one for now -
can I burn music in iTunes to a DVD just like I would to a CD except with a much larger capacity (DVD)?

yes, just select "Back Up To Disk" under the File menu.

Irregular DVD playback (freezing) after "successful" burning

Hi - mortified I gave several DVDs to family members recently only to learn the DVD freezes in multiple locations. I don't get it. I created it in iMovie (old VHS tape I uploaded via Elgato), added sound, labels and still photos. Very extensive project as you can imagine. I then shared it with iDVD and created chapters, etc. I burned it onto a dual layer DVD. (It's a large project.) I made multiple copies of it, each burned via iDVD one at a time. I must have made 30 copies. I watched one with my mom on her DVD player (probably a year old) and it was perfect. But I've heard from many family members that the DVD freezes, stops, won't play.
In case it matters, I did the burning in two settings (including quitting iDVD in between the burnings), but apparently this is impacting both batches according to early reports.
I will also say that last year I made another similar (albeit much simpler!) DVD in the same manner. Sure enough, it freezes up during one of the later chapters.
Is this something specific to dual layer DVDs?
What sorts of questions should I be asking myself to begin solving this problem?
I am using OS 10.7.4. iMovie '11 (9.0.4) iDVD 7.1.2
I'm afraid I'm going to become the joke of the family whenever I show up with a disk in hand to give as a gift...

Hi
mortified I gave several DVDs to family members recently only to learn the DVD freezes in multiple locations.
• Use to be due to - Use of cheap DVD brand e.g. Memorex, Noname etc. I only use Verbatim
• Type of DVD used - DVD-R plays on more and even older DVD-players
• Burn speed not set down - I set it to x2 when making DVDs to others (iDVD pref/Advance at bottom)
I then shared it with iDVD and created chapters, etc.
• I Share to Media Browser and as LARGE (or Medium if audio get's problematic) NEVER - HD or other resolutions as this will degrade the final DVD result.
I burned it onto a dual layer DVD.
• DL-DVD is much more problematic than SL-DVDs and most of them makes a jump when changing layer. Some DVD-players handles this better or worse
In case it matters, I did the burning in two settings (including quitting iDVD in between the burnings), but apparently this is impacting both batches according to early reports.
• I do split the process into two stages
1. Encoding phase - Save as a DiskImage - and test this to be OK
2. Burn phase - by using Disk Util tool (x2 burn speed)
30 copies
• Do not burn more than three DVDs in a row - but let DVD-burner cool down for 30 minutes then burn next set of three. It is very easy to Overheat the laser and this will be an un-necesary repair.
Is this something specific to dual layer DVDs?
• Yes it's more problematic
What sorts of questions should I be asking myself to begin solving this problem?
• Have no idea. May be
- Free space on Start-up (Mac OS) hard disk - I never go under 25Gb - other hard disks of No interests at all - as the space must be on this one
- What Video-codecs, Photo file formats and Audio file formats is used.
Very often this is the real problem makers as .mp3 audio, .bmp photos and .avi material are used
I am using OS 10.7.4. iMovie '11 (9.0.4) iDVD 7.1.2
• Me too (except Mac OS - I use X.6.9)
Good Luck - Yours Bengt W

"Track initialization error" when burning DVD

This message keeps coming up when I try to burn a DVD in iDVD from my G4 laptop. Movie is 28 minutes long. ANY help would be very gratefully appreciated. THANKS

Rob,
Thanks for posting!
I was at the point of starting a new discussion as I was afraid nobody was watching this one any more. To make things easy for everyone, I'll use the quoting method in order to answer to each and every question I have an answer for. So let's just go for it...
"If i understand correctly...you shot new footage and used a different computer and it still did the same thing!"
Nope. I've always used the same hardware/software for importing/editing my footage(s). Hardware: Power Mac G5 DP 1.8GHz / Software: iMovie v5.0.2 and iDVD v5.0.1
"Can you down load the video to the Mac Mini and try it from there rather than transferring the project?"
As you can imagine, it would be such a big hassle to import/edit the movie in the Mac mini, executing precisely the same steps I did when using the Power Mac G5.
"Delete your audio track and try it again."
Been there, done that. No way Jose!
"Without any chapter markers."
Didn't try that, though I've removed the chapter markers from 'risky' points, like transitions, etc.
"What is on your audio track and where did it come from?"
My audio tracks consist of the sound contained by the movie itself, plus two AAC (m4a) songs bit rated at 192kbps using iTunes v5.0 (also tried with .mp3 format but the result was the same). The tracks have a 30 to 40 seconds gap between them, so no sound mix between these 2 songs.
"As well how did you shoot the footage and with what type of camera....just wondering."
No special procedures here, Rob. I'm no professional, so I usually turn camera ON and start recording straight away. My camera is a JVC Mini DV GR-DX77E perfectly recognised by the Apple iMovie software.
"Have you successfully burned any DVD's before? What method are you burning it in Best quality or Performance? How do you transfer the project to DVD?"
Yes. My first tape was imported using iMovie v5.0.2, using the 'Best Quality' preference, edited there and exporting to iDVD, and there (in iDVD) is where trouble starts. So I googled for troubleshooting and stopped here for a carefull reading:
http://dvd.kentidwell.com/?page_id=65
I ran OnyX v1.5.2 for Panther and able to burn my project into a DVD without glitches. One thing I noticed (and honestly this can make the difference here), is that before I ran OnyX, everytime iDVD finished the assets task, it started encoding audio and here's where the error took place. After the OnyX intervention, it started encoding video and then audio successfully.
"I know it is a pain to do these things but we will probably find out it is something simple blocking the burn. Try it also with a different Menu theme. Get a real simple one."
I've tried the 'real simple' menus, like the ones bundled with iDVD. Sorry, but it makes no difference.
"What photos are you putting in the menu theme?"
No photos in the projects. Just the movie and audio tracks (preferable all AAC).
"You could also try to burn it as a disc image to disc utilities and see if that works."
Burn as disc image gives exactly the same error at exactly the same point: Track initialization error.
"Start from the very beginning and dellete anything to do with iMovie or iDVD. In the libraries and in Documents"
I've deleted the .plist docs for iMovie and iDVD software, but it didn't solve.
"I know you used Onyx but I have Onyx too and it never worked for me."
Carefull to see if you're using the correct version for your operating system, as there are different ones for Jaguar, Panther and Tiger.
"It didn't delete or clean anything."
It does for me. You have to use the 'cleanning' option in the application's toolbar.
"I am going to toss it and try and down load it again."
http://www.titanium.free.fr/pgs/english.html
"Now everytime I use it it comes up with an error message...so delete what you can yourself."
I suppose OnyX comes with an uninstaller, so give it a try.
(see next post)

Best way to export for archive, DVD

Hi,
I'd like to export and "archive" my sequences, audio slide shows, (in anticipation of moving on to FCP X or whatever appears right in the next few months...) and have seen on this forum that i'm best using Quicktime, not QT conversion. For my internet movie I used QT Conversion (H264>29.97fps> auto keyframe> 5000 ktbist/sec>1280x720>scale letter box // Audio: AAC 44.100 kHz> 320 kbps. Vimeo took over from there, and it came out fine.) Seems like QT doesn't ask for me to make all those choices. So do I just hit the button -- then use iDVD if I want to place on a DVD? Yes, I'm a newbie, so give me some steps here...
Thanks.
Mary

Thanks..I guess it will be apparent when I go in there. Sounds like no major decisions to make.

Can I erase a dvd once it is burned and use it again?

I purchase MyLife DVD to burn a movie on to a memorex dvd. MyLife is no longer supported and I can not get rid of the the watermark until I purchase a $14.99 version. What can I do now?

If you bought a DVD-RW or DVD+RW, yes. If you bought a DVD-R or DVD+R, no.
(101975)

CD's no, DVD's yes

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