External DVD burner, Firewire vs. USB 2?

Do external DVD burners work more efficiently with a Firewire interface or USB 2? I suspect there were problems with some third party photo imaging software (Canon USA) and the use of my Firewire DVD burner Kangaroo (NEC). Perhaps it is time to retire the old one and buy new.
Please advise.
PowerMac G4 Mac OS X (10.3)

Hi nobrandphoto,
first of all: WELCOME TO THE DISCUSSIONS!
Not only are firewire drives faster (even FW400 is faster than USB2 although in theory USB2 should be much faster), they are also bootable while USB is not a bootable interface wwith MacOS X: Don't start up from an external USB device.
There are a few reports that the new Intel-based Macs can also boot from USB-drives though.

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Problems ripping with an external DVD Burner

Hello Everyone,
Recently I purchased a Liteon External DVD Burner off of newegg (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16827106011) -- It's a Liteon SHW-1635SX -- I bought this because the DVD-ROM drive thats in my tower natively is REALLY slow and I wanted to get a new one that I could use with a laptop that I`m going to purchase in the future. Whenever I try to rip a CD into iTunes using the burner, It says that it's ripping the disk, however it doesn't spin up the cd and it takes about 2 seconds to "rip" all the songs. I know this drive is soposed to be faster than my old one, But two seconds is a little TOO fast. Plus, I know that it's not copying the songs because when I try to listen to them in my library, the song won't play. (Under time it says "789:54..." for all the songs on the cd, in my library) However, the burner rips perfectly in Windows Media Player... Is this perhaps some kind of glitch with iTunes??? Basicly, the only way I can rip a CD into iTunes is to use my old DVDROM drive, but that defeats the purpose... below is the CD Diagnostic log that I got from iTunes::::::::
Microsoft Windows XP Home Edition Service Pack 2 (Build 2600)
HP Pavilion 05 P9859A-ABA 533w
iTunes 6.0.4.2
CD Driver 2.0.4.3
CD Driver DLL 2.0.3.2
LowerFilters: PxHelp20 (2.0.0.0), AFS2K (3.1.21.0), DRVMCDB (1.0.0.1), SSCDBHK5 (1.0.0.1), PFC (2.5.0.196),
UpperFilters: GEARAspiWDM (2.0.4.3),
Video Driver: Intel(R) 82845G/GL Graphics Controller\Intel(R) 82845G/GL Graphics Controller
IDE\DiskMaxtor4R060J0_________________________RAMB1TU0, Bus Type ATA, Bus Address [0,0]
IDE\DiskST34323A_______________________________3.02___, Bus Type ATA, Bus Address [1,0]
IDE\CdRomCOMBIRW16x10/DVD_______________________H1.0___, Bus Type ATA, Bus Address [0,0]
USBSTOR\CdRomLITE-ONDVDRW_SHW-1635SYS0Y, Bus Type USB
If you have multiple drives on the same IDE or SCSI bus, these drives may interfere with each other.
Some computers need an update to the ATA or IDE bus driver, or Intel chipset. If iTunes has problems recognizing CDs or hanging or crashing while importing or burning CDs, check the support site for the manufacturer of your computer or motherboard.
Check the Windows Update website to verify that you have the latest service packs and patches for your OS. Service packs affect the performance of USB and firewire CD / DVD drives.
Current user is administrator.
E: COMBI RW16x10/DVD, Rev H1.0
Drive is empty.
F: LITE-ON DVDRW SHW-1635S, Rev YS0Y
Audio CD in drive.
Found 9 songs on CD, playing time 42:13 on Audio CD.
Track 1, start time 00:02:00
Track 2, start time 03:30:07
Track 3, start time 08:44:33
Track 4, start time 12:03:74
Track 5, start time 17:55:53
Track 6, start time 22:14:31
Track 7, start time 25:32:60
Track 8, start time 30:13:01
Track 9, start time 35:59:06
Audio CD reading succeeded.
Get drive speed succeeded.
The drive CDR speeds are: 8 16 24 32 40 48.
The drive CDRW speeds are: 8.
The drive DVDR speeds are: 8.
The drive DVDRW speeds are: 8.
The last failed audio CD burn had error code -128(0xffffff80). It happened on drive E: COMBI RW16x10/DVD on -128(0xffffff80) media at speed 0X.
Your replies are greatly appretiated!
--Aric--

hi Aric!
hmmm. we'd better check on the usual suspects with that. (the incredibly long song times can also be associated with these sorts of causes.)
You can't import or play music from an audio CD in iTunes for Windows
... and the following resources might be helpful with that. (check on firmware and drivers even though it's a brand new unit.)
Using CD Diagnostics in iTunes for Windows to troubleshoot CD/DVD drive issues
iTunes for Windows: Updating the firmware on your CD or DVD drive
Updating the drivers on your Windows PC
Where to find firmware for your CD/DVD drive
love, b

IMac G3 hooking up External DVD Burner

Hey.
I'm trying to hook up an external DVD Burner to my iMac G3 to use with iLife '05 (I don't think the G3 is compatable with '06)
The problem is, my external USB 2.0 DVD burner I got for my Windows XP computer doesn't say it can be used for Mac OS X. I can take the wait of a movie being burned on a USB 1.1 connection.
Does Apple already have a generic driver for External DVD Burners like it does for Bluetooth?
I'd like to show off to my friends the awesome movie-making capabilities on a Mac, but it can't be done without a DVD burner.

Instead of using an external USB with iMacG3, I also recommend using a firewire one with it. iMac G3's are equipped with USB 1,1 and it is slow for cd/dvd burning. With a firewire case you can use all the speed of your writer.
On the other hand, some writers (CD-R or DVD-R) are not fully functioning with all applications. Toast can handle much of them but iTunes for example was not functioning with my old mitsumi CD-R. I prefered to buy an LG and now it works perfectly.

Info on Sony DRX820U external DVD burner or other.

Hi all
I would like to know any info about the Sony DRX820U external DVD burner and I know this one is a USB connection I know that it has a firewire one too. I know that this one doesn't say that it will work with a Mac it only has Windows only burning apps. Can I still use it even if it doesn't say on the box Mac compatible or it's just that they don't have any Mac progs in the box, does this goes for all external DVD burners that doesn't say Mac compatible? I don't mind if it doesn't boot from it I just want to burn at the 16X speed compared to my 8X that I have now. If you have any other type of DVD burners besides the Sony, please let me know.
Thanks!!!

Hi
Sony is not renowned for Mac support, even thogh Apple has used specific model drives, many do not have firmware that works well with a Mac.
I would suggest looking at a Mac-vendor such as LaCie or OWC if you want an external drive; FireWire is preferable, because you can boot from it if need be.
On the other hand, internal 16X DVD burners (DVR-111D or ND3550A) can be had for under $40 online; I would suggest replacing your stock drive with one of these. You can always get an external FireWire/USB 5.25" (BYTECC makes perfectly functional inexpensive casings, check out Newegg.com as one resource for both items) casing for your existing drive, if you want the option of having two drives available.

External DVD Burner

I'd like to get an external dvd burner for my iBook. I'd like to be able to use it with iDVD. Is firewire better than USB? USB would make it compatible with our pc.
Does anyone have any recommendations for a burner and other software I might need to burn dvds?
Thanks.
ibook 12 Mac OS X (10.3.9) 20g iPod, 5G iPod mini

You should be able to create a disk image of the dvd from within iDVD, and you can then burn this to disk using Toast

External DVD Burner Suggestions?

I am looking for an external DVD burner. Any suggestions?
I was looking at the OWC Mercury Pro units, but it looks like
a unit from LaCie (d2 or Slim) might be a better idea.
Any help would be appeciated.
VB

If the internal optical drive is not working, consider getting an external that has FireWire (IEEE 1394) connectivity. That way, the external is bootable should you need to boot remotely to upgrade the OS or do repairs from an external disk.
That also avoid some of the USB power issues.

What external DVD burner can I use on my older IMAC using OS 10.4.11?

What external DVD burner can I use on my older IMAC using OS10.4.11? I am working on a IMovie project using I movie 6? and I want to finish this before purchasing my new computer. Thanks, Dr. Steve

unless you have one of the latest models of an imac g4 with usb 2.0 i would suggest a firewire burner instead. they're a little harder to find but they're still out there.

External DVD burner/iDVD and iMovie

Would iDVD work with this external dvd burner?
http://accessories.us.dell.com/sna/products/System_Drives/productdetail.aspx?c=u s&l=en&cs=19&sku=A0960630

Tim Haigh wrote:
That would depend on the brand of dvd drive they are using inside there enclosure.
In my experience Pioneer drives always work well.
One would ask why you want to get a small external drive. full size tray loading drives are faster more robust and are much more efficient.
It doesn't have to be a small drive. I picked that particular drive because it was the only drive I could find with Apple listed under supported OS.
I put together my own external drive. I used a pioneer 112D 18x DVD-RW cost £16. I got an icybox dvd enclosure for £20. This enclosure has usb2 and firewire.
It is recognised in the apple system profiler as 'apple shipped'. And works with idvd and itunes and diskburning.
It looks like that copy is only in the UK. Perhaps there is a US version?
Or maybe I just need to find one that is USB supported and it will work on my Macbook? I have a feeling some will work. I just wont be able to use the software for them.

Best external DVD burner?

I have the basic Macbook with the combo drive, and I'm considering getting an external DVD burner so that I can actually burn DVDs (which I didn't think I'd be doing originally, which is why I got the baseline Macbook...oh well) and to use for watching movies while at home to save wear and tear on my internal drive.
I've heard a couple different things, that every external will work, that only some will, that the Sony burners work, that others don't... I know PC hardware backwards and forwards (used PCs for decades...but I'm much better now ) but as I'm new to Macs I want to make sure I do this right the first time. Can I get any old burner and stuff it in an external enclosure? Does it have to be FireWire, or is USB okay?
Thanks in advance!!

Hi,
It is an, "old," drive because it is a few years old, but I am using a Sony DRU-120A 5.25 inch half-height dive in an ADS brand firewire enclosure. Each item was about $40. Insstalling the drive in the enclosure was about a five minute task: snsp on the cables and install total of six screws. No special software is required with Tiger 10.4.8 and newer.
The ADS enclosure is cool because it is translucent aqua plastic and complements the Apple design ethos. The ADS enclosure is exactly the same footprint as an even older Sony USB burner I have, and even the little rubbery stacking feet mesh between the ADS and Sony box. I'd hazard a guess that ADS was the OEM supplier for Sony back then.
-Bill

Emac & external DVD burner

My emac will not burn DVDs but it will read them as expected. The drive works fine though. Can I use an external DVD burner? I don't want to try to replace the DVD drive. Money is an issue.
Thanks

My eMac's superdrive died not that long ago. Wouldn't read any discs at all.
So, I've looked into these options...
The cheapest option, is to replace the internal drive. Easily less than half the cost of buying a RELIABLE external drive.
Of course, if you're not comfy opening the eMac (ie due to the CRT with all its electrical deadliness), then external is the only way.
The best option is a firewire external optical drive. Better than USB. Especially if you only have a USB 1.0 eMac... (?) If it is USB 1.0 (ie pre 2004), then USB is probably not even an option, as USB 1 isn't good enough to handle the required transfer speeds.
cheers
cosmic

Thinkpad X230 could not recognize external DVD burner

Hi, I received my Thinkpad X230 two weeks ago and was planning to make backup media. However, X230 could not recognize my external DVD burner. It was not responding no matter which USB port I tried. The DVD burner works fine with my T400 and X201. Just want to know how to get X230 to work with the DVD burner so that I can make factory backup media. Thanks a lot!

Hello,
Your external USB DVD±RW disc drive may require more power than can be provided via one USB port in order to burn DVDs. Did the drive come with a "double-headed" Y-shaped USB cable to connect to two USB ports on the notebook? If so, try plugging both of the large ends into the ThinkPad's USB ports and the small end into the external drive and then see if it is now recognized by the computer.
Regards,
Aryeh Goretsky
I am a volunteer and neither a Lenovo nor a Microsoft employee. • Dexter is a good dog • Dexter je dobrý pes
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New samsung external dvd burner taking forever to rip a dvd on macbook pro. Please help.

Hello...the superdrive in my macbook pro died recently so I purchased an inexpensive Samsung SE-208DB/TSBS external dvd burner (with USB). It has been burning so far now about 14 hours and still on 55%encoding. I have 45 GB available on system and no other programs running at the same time. Not sure if it's something with the burner itself or with my mac. help please and thank you.

No, just a single USB, which, after reading some online comments elsewhere makes me wonder if it was a power-type problem with my mac. I think I'll have to return the drive..
thank you for the help...

What are the mac-compatible internal/external dvd burner for 12"Pbook

what are the mac-compatible internal/external dvd burner for 12"Pbook

ibodnano:
You will find internal optical drivers from OWC here. You will find external DVD burners from OWC here.
For the external drives, almost any Firewire burner will be supported by your PowerBook. Here are a few. You can further refine the filters.
Good luck.
cornelius

DVD Studio Pro 4 USE WITH EXTERNAL DVD BURNER??

Hello
Looking at buying DVD Studio Pro 4 for my mini but apple have just stated it will not install unless my machine has a superdrive. We've got an external firewire DVD burner and i've read mention of other versions of DVD Studio burning through externals so how come we carnt use DVD Studio Pro 4 with an external DVD burner?
Has anyone tried an external DVD burner with DVD Studio Pro 4 ?
Cheers

This issue isn't external drives, it's the mini, and installing the program.
http://www.apple.com/finalcutstudio/dvdstudiopro/specs.html
The specs do not seem to require an internal superdrive.

Add new external DVD burner

Hi there -
I just bought a new USB 2.0 external DVD burner and didn't notice until I got home that it has no Mac compatible software. No problem, I thought, my Mac can detect this puppy! Unfortunately, it does not appear that this is the case. If I insert a DVD, it occasionally pops up a window saying that I've inserted a blank DVD, and what do I want the computer to do. If I tell it open iDVD, it tells me I don't have the appropriate hardware. If I tell it to open disk utility, it tries and then freezes the program.
Anyone have suggestions? If I don't figure it out, I can return it, but have to decide this week.

Return it.

External DVD burner, Firewire vs. USB 2?

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