Can I use any external DVD writer with my Mac? at DVinfo.net

Floris van Eck · August 10th, 2006, 05:32 PM

I have a Powerbook G4 with a regular DVD drive, no Superdrive. As I want to transfer my Final Cut project to DVD, I am interested in buying an external DVD writer. I saw some nice ones for only $49, USB 2.0. However, I am not sure if all burners work with the Mac, and/or DVD studio.

So if someone can help me out, it would be greatly appreciated!

Nate Schmidt · August 10th, 2006, 05:52 PM

I've got no experience with external burners but I think that the newest version of iDVD supports external burners. Also check out www.patchburn.de which is used for making third party burners play nice with iDVD and iTunes (and I assume DVD SP as well). Hope that helps!

Nate Weaver · August 10th, 2006, 06:13 PM

Yes, external burners work fine with DVD Studio Pro.

I'd stick with a firewire enclosure though.

Tom Vandas · August 11th, 2006, 07:31 AM

I have a backup LaCie d2 DVD burner that connects via Firewire or USB2, have used it on my Powerbook and my Quad: just plug it in and away it goes.

Having said that, I bought the LaCie specifically because I knew it worked with DVDSP. There aren't as many options for Mac, and those few options tend to cost more than $50.

Whatever you buy, if it's compatible with OS X, it will usually indicate that on the packaging.

August 10th, 2006, 05:32 PM	#1
Floris van Eck Major Player Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: The Netherlands Posts: 993	Can I use any external DVD writer with my Mac? I have a Powerbook G4 with a regular DVD drive, no Superdrive. As I want to transfer my Final Cut project to DVD, I am interested in buying an external DVD writer. I saw some nice ones for only $49, USB 2.0. However, I am not sure if all burners work with the Mac, and/or DVD studio. So if someone can help me out, it would be greatly appreciated!

August 10th, 2006, 05:52 PM	#2
Nate Schmidt Major Player Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Welland ON Posts: 515	I've got no experience with external burners but I think that the newest version of iDVD supports external burners. Also check out www.patchburn.de which is used for making third party burners play nice with iDVD and iTunes (and I assume DVD SP as well). Hope that helps! __________________ "We've done the impossible, and that makes us mighty."

August 10th, 2006, 06:13 PM	#3
Nate Weaver Wrangler Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Los Angeles, CA Posts: 2,100	Yes, external burners work fine with DVD Studio Pro. I'd stick with a firewire enclosure though. __________________ My Work: nateweaver.net

August 11th, 2006, 07:31 AM	#4
Tom Vandas Regular Crew Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: currently in Kigali, Rwanda Posts: 144	I have a backup LaCie d2 DVD burner that connects via Firewire or USB2, have used it on my Powerbook and my Quad: just plug it in and away it goes. Having said that, I bought the LaCie specifically because I knew it worked with DVDSP. There aren't as many options for Mac, and those few options tend to cost more than $50. Whatever you buy, if it's compatible with OS X, it will usually indicate that on the packaging.