My IMac is equipped with a CD burner that only reads DVD's so I've been checking into buying an external DVD burner. I've read some of the past forums here but I am a little confused as to what might be the best route to go.
So far this is where I'm at (keep in mind that right now my main objective is to take media files from my hard drive and create DVD's that can be viewed on a everyday DVD player):
(1) I could buy a burner specific for Mac (like a LaCie that comes with the software "Toast") but will spend a lot more $$$ than...
(2) Building my own by buying a separate burner and case. But if I go this route I'll still need the software (eg: Toast) to make DVD's for viewing on regular DVD players - correct? Doesn't this make it as expensive as buying the aforementioned LaCie if I purchase the software?
(3) Or should I look at getting a cheaper (relative to a LaCie) good quality burner that's ready to go out of the box, even if the software is not compatible with my Mac, and just DL the software that I need?
Build your own, Pioneer drives are really cheap these days.
In Toronto you can buy one at Canada Computers
Just remember to get a nice firewire case for it.
Dave
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Mac Mini 2.4, Apple TV1 & TV2, iPod 4th gen, Apple iPad Mini...
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The future is one of my favourite past times.
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The Pioneer is Apple finder burning compatible, I've used iDVD with them,
I have two of them, One internal and one external on my G4 tower using Leopard.
Although I do still use toast as well.
Dave
__________________
Mac Mini 2.4, Apple TV1 & TV2, iPod 4th gen, Apple iPad Mini...
---------------------------------
The future is one of my favourite past times.
------------------------------------------------------ MacMagic Game forum
The Pioneer is Apple finder burning compatible, I've used iDVD with them,
I have two of them, One internal and one external on my G4 tower using Leopard.
Although I do still use toast as well.
Dave
Thanks.
Next question:
I found a local vendor that can sell me the stuff I need, but the sales rep asked if my older IMac is USB 2 capable. I checked the specs but I don't see anything that says that it is. If not, apparently I need to install a PCI card (which I don't have because in the specs under "PCI cards" it says "no information" and therefore I assume this means that my unit is not USB 2 capable). So if it comes down to installing a PCI card will I be getting in over my head (I'm a pretty handy guy but I've never messed with computers before).
If you have an iMac, you cannot install any PCI cards in it at all - your sales guy doesn't know what he is talking about.
Which specific iMac do you have?
I would go for a firewire case anyway, not USB 2.0.
I actually did exactly what you are planning, bought a firewire case and a Pioneer burner - assembled the two, plugged the burner into an eMac in my case and was up and running.
Total bill for burner and enclosure was just about exactly $60 plus tax.
To create DVDs I spent a few bucks and bought VisualHub.
If you have an iMac, you cannot install any PCI cards in it at all - your sales guy doesn't know what he is talking about. Which specific iMac do you have?
I would go for a firewire case anyway, not USB 2.0.
I actually did exactly what you are planning, bought a firewire case and a Pioneer burner - assembled the two, plugged the burner into an eMac in my case and was up and running.
Total bill for burner and enclosure was just about exactly $60 plus tax.
To create DVDs I spent a few bucks and bought VisualHub.
Okay, I talked to a different vendor and asked about a Pioneer DVR 112 and a Firewire enclosure. They said the enclosure wasn't in stock and to call next week. Am I on the right track now? Sounds like it'll cost about $80 total.
It sounds like you are on the right track. Pioneer is a pretty good make and is very compatible with the Apple. If you have any troubles, just get a copy of Patchburn, which will set the profiles for any drives that are not natively supported. I have an LG DVD Burner and it works perfectly. I have also been successful using Sony DVD burners as well. Make sure that whatever burner you get, it is capable of DVD-R operation, since that is the format that is the most compatible with most players. Many burners are multi-mode, and can handle -R, +R, -RW, +RW, and even multilayer (which are not very compatible with most players).
Firewire is always a better solution, even if it costs a bit more. Better performance, and much less chance of burning frisbees. Some cases even feature a "dual FW port", so you can daisy chain other devices, like external hard drives or printers. It is worth the wait of a few days to get something that you will be happy with in the long run.
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