By Ken Tidwell

New to the concept of burning DVDs for the Mac? This will get you up to speed on the basics, including devices, formats, what to do, and more.

Devices:
• SuperDrive: This commonly refers to a DVD (read/write) drive/writer/burner (DVD-R/-RW) installed by Apple when your computer was made. This drive can also read CD and write CD-R/-RW. (Also VCD). In addition, it refers to certain Pioneer drives available in the aftermarket that you can install yourself. Note: Certain Powerbook SuperDrives do not support DVD-RW - check in System Profile first.

In order to record video and audio onto a Macintosh DVD SuperDrive writer/burner, video is usually first captured onto your computer's hard drive, using Firewire from your DV camera, as an example. The video or movie content (or DV...digital video asset) is then encoded (converted and then written) from the hard drive onto a blank DVD disc (DVD-R). DVD-R media comes in various speeds, such as 1X, 2X, 4X.

• ComboDrive: This is a drive that can read and burn CDs (CD-R/RW) but only read DVDs (DVD-ROM ~ DVD-R).

• DVD recorder (DVR): A standalone unit that resembles and operates much like a VCR. All DVD recorders have AV inputs as well as an onboard TV tuner for recording TV shows. With a DVR, you can record from video sources in real time, straight to a blank DVD-R/+R etc. Be sure to close the 'session' before using these discs in your Mac. DVRs differ from Mac DVD 'burners' hooked up to your computer in that the burner in your Mac can record video and also read and write computer data.

Formats:
There is no guarantee that any DVD you make with your Mac DVD burner or DVR will play in all DVD players. Whether or not you can play a DVD you have made on most current DVD players (manufactured within the last three years) will depend mostly on the format used in recording the DVD, and if your player supports DVD-R. Compared to DVD+R, DVD-R is the most compatible format on the market.

Here is a general explanation of the available blank DVD media options:
• DVD-R: The most universal of recordable DVD formats used by DVD burners and many DVRs. DVD-R is a write-once format, much like CD-R, and discs made in this format can be played in most current DVD players.

DVD-R - what it is and what it isn't:
_ DVD-R is not the same as DVD+R (pronounced 'D V D R' and 'D V D plus R')
_ DVD-R from Memorex, while similar, is not exactly the same as DVD-R from Fuji or other manufacturers. Each manufacturer has it's own specification and manufacturing process for making DVD-R media
_ DVD-R from Apple is made for Apple, not by Apple
_ DVD-R is not compatible with all DVD players
_ DVD-R is more compatible with newer DVD players

• DVD-RW: Recordable and rewriteable format (like CD-RW). Discs are playable in most DVD players, provided they are recorded in the straight video mode and finalized. Some Macintosh computers will allow the use of DVD-RW from the Finder, but you must trick iDVD into using it - if you believe your DVD writer will handle DVD-RW, erase the disk in Disk Utility, then leave it in the machine ready for when you hit burn in iDVD. Note: Certain Powerbook SuperDrives do not support DVD-RW - check in System Profile first.
• DVD+R: A record-once format introduced recently that is losing ground in the consumer DVD player arena. Note that HP, which helped promote this format, is now moving to support DVD-R/RW with their recorders. Some newer Mac computers will read DVD+R. Check System Profile (OS X) for the formats your drive supports, or type this string into the Terminal and hit return:
drutil info

• DVD+RW: Recordable and rewriteable format (like CD-RW), introduced recently, that is losing ground in the consumer DVD player arena. Note that HP, which helped promote this format, is now moving to support DVD-R/RW with their recorders.
• DVD-RAM: Recordable and rewriteable format which is not compatible with current DVD technology and is not compatible with DVD-ROM computer drives. There are two types of DVD-RAM: single-sided and double-sided. Single-sided media is available in both removable and non-removable cartridges, where double-sided must be used with a cartridge.

What you can do...
It may seem confusing to decide among all of the DVD recording formats. One concern is that one format may become obsolete. The answer to that, for right now, is 'No.' As long as the recorded DVD plays in your DVD player, or your friend's DVD player, you have what you need. Right now, the only format to be cautious with is DVD-RAM. While some companies are looking for ways to use this format more effectively, it is least compatible with consumer players and DVD-ROM drives. You can check the console log, via System Profile, to monitor your burn...
iDVD: Burn started, Tue Feb 3 20:04:39 2004
iDVD: Burning to DVD-R media with DAO strategy in PIONEER DVD-RW DVR-103 2.00 via ATAPI.
iDVD: Requested DVD burn speed was 47x, actual burn speed is 2x.
iDVD: Burn underrun protection is supported, and enabled.
iDVD: Burn finished, Tue Feb 3 20:32:25 2004

[/Library/Logs/Console/YourUserName/console.log]

If you're going shopping for blank media, you need to remember that iDVD is intended to accept DVD-R, not DVD+R (see above if you want to try DVD-RW). Don't be confused by the numbers. The DVD-R that you buy will say 4.7gb on the box, yet, when used with iDVD, it will only allow you to write 4.21gb - this is not an error. The additional space is reserved for use by the OS/System. Also, when you notice that an hour of video off of your DV camera takes up more than 12 or 13gb on your hard drive, remember that it will be compressed when written to your DVD-R...you can use up to 2 hours with iDVD 4 - think run time, not file size.

When burning a DVD with iDVD, do not insert the blank DVD until iDVD asks for it...do not prepare or name it with the Finder beforehand. It must be brand new and blank before using it with iDVD.

If you are buying a DVD player, check the specifications on the box or display and confirm that the unit you are considering includes DVD-R/RW compatibility.

If you've got an older player or burner, here are a few things to do to reduce incompatibility:
• Buy name brands, not cheap or discount media
• Experiment with various brands of media from your burner in your player until you find ones that work with both
• Read the manual for each player and burner to find out what media it will accept
• Check with your friends and relatives about their players if you hope to share content with them.

Errors:

• If you see a Power Calibration Error (0x73, 0x03), check your media and check your drive for dust or suspect impending failure:
1. Your blank DVD media is defective or not suitable for use with your drive.
2. Laser/lens in your drive is dirty or failing - use a lens cleaner; dissasemble the drive and blow it out with a can of compressed air; replace the drive.
3. Check for a firmware update for your drive from the manufacturer (Pioneer as an example).
• If you see a 'multiplexer error' you need to clear more free space on your boot drive.
• If you see a 'buffer underrun error', read this article from Apple.
• If you see either of these:
_ 'You have inserted a disc containing no volumes that Mac OS X can read - to continue with disc inserted, click Ignore'.
_ Errors were found during the burning process #-2147352539
_ ...you should use the link below and grab a copy of Patchburn v1.1 for Jaguar and Patchburn II for Panther.
• If you see 2147352542 or 2147352480 : http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=25480
To see infomation about your drive, type this into the Terminal app and hit return:
• drutil info

The most important element of your DVD system is the combined ability to burn, play, and share your video content. Spending time reading manuals, web sites, and specifications before making a purchase will save you time - and frustration - later.

Glossary:
• Blank media: A fresh DVD-R disc, as an example, that you write to.
• Burner: DVD or CD writer.
• ComboDrive: The CD writer that is shipped with a Macintosh computer that will also read DVDs.
• DV asset: Digital Video asset...source video. From iMovie, as an example or also from your digital camcorder.
• DVD-ROM: Digital Video Disc-Read Only Memory...any drive that can read a DVD, such as a ComboDrive or SuperDrive.
• SuperDrive: The DVD writer that is shipped with a Macintosh computer.

Links:
• XLR8YourMac.com - tons of info on aftermarket DVD writers for your Mac. http://www.xlr8yourmac.com/
• PatchBurn I & II - a small app that can enable many aftermarket drives to be used with OS X (PBII is for Panther). http://macwelt.de/public/PatchBurn/
• A file that will enable both image creation and external DVD writer support via iDVD - use at own risk http://forum.rpc1.org/viewtopic.php?t=23370
• DVD-R compatible player list http://www.dvdlabs.com/compatibility.html
• DVD blank media FAQ http://store.yahoo.com/cdrdvdrmedia/faq-dvd-blank-media-burner-burning-software.html
• DVD Technology: Overview (from Apple) http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=24451
• SuperDrive: About Rewriteable DVD Discs (from Apple) http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=42718
• UnOfficial iDVD 4.x FAQ http://www.kentidwell.com/idvd4/

from http://www.kentidwell.com/idvd4/DVD_4_begin.html

MACinations May 04