external DVD burner not recognized

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Level 1

4 points

external DVD burner not recognized

Hi all
I bought an external Memorex USB DVD burner which mounts disks on desktop fine but when I insert a DVD movie my default DVD player app doesn't play automatically and recognize my burner. An error message appears.

Please help, Thanks
Web dude

Mac Mini, G4 AGP GigE, PowerMac 8600, B&W Smurf, Mac OS X (10.4.8), Mac User 12 years strong

Posted on Jan 4, 2008 9:11 AM

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Answer 1

Best reply

Jeff

Level 6

12,058 points

Jan 4, 2008 10:44 AM in response to Web dude

For unsupported, third-party DVD±RW drives, you can download/run PatchBurn, to create a support profile for it, enabling native compatibility with Apple's iApps and DVD Player programs. The error may be triggered because the DVD Player program wasn't designed to support USB-connected DVD drives. Additionally, if connected to a USB 1.1 bus, you'll probably experience performance issues (unrelated to drive support). A USB 2.0 PCI card (OS 10.2.8 or newer) would be better, although a FireWire-connected external drive would be preferable. A year ago, I bought a Memorex 16x FireWire/USB external DVD±RW drive (they dropped the FireWire interface with the 18x drives). When I get a chance, I'll connect it and try watching a DVD movie with it, and then post back with the results.

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Answer 2

Web dude Author

Level 1

4 points

Jan 4, 2008 6:03 PM in response to Jeff

Hi Jeff

Thanks for your help . DVD player still gives me this message" initialization error, a valid DVD drive can not be found {70012}

Web dude

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Answer 3

Jan 4, 2008 8:20 PM in response to Web dude

Try playing DVDs with VLC

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Answer 4

Jeff

Level 6

12,058 points

Jan 4, 2008 8:25 PM in response to Web dude

" initialization error, a valid DVD drive can not be found."

This tends to corroborate what I previously wrote, regarding the DVD Player program not being designed to scan for USB-connected DVD drives. An unsupported, third-party (internal) DVD±RW drive patched by PatchBurn would probably be recognized by the DVD Player program. If you're running Tiger or Leopard, you might consider downloading " VLC Media Player" to see if it functions with your external Memorex drive.

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Answer 5

Jeff

Level 6

12,058 points

Jan 4, 2008 10:59 PM in response to Jeff

Using PatchBurn, a device profile was created for my external Memorex FireWire/USB 2.0 DVD±RW drive. I launched OS 10.3.9's "DVD Player" on a B&W G3-450 MHz and inserted a DVD movie:

(1) FireWire had random (but recurring) video artifacts (B&W G3s are known to have somewhat flakey onboard FireWire. The OPTi 1394 controller chip might be the problem. A FireWire PCI card should produce better results.)
(2) USB 2.0 (PCI card) had flawless DVD movie playback.
(3) USB 1.1 (onboard) had problems related to the slow bus speed, with stuttering audio and video.

Your system profile indicates that you're running Tiger on your G4-AGP. Did PatchBurn successfully create a profile for your external drive?

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Answer 6

Web dude Author

Level 1

4 points

Jan 5, 2008 9:36 AM in response to Jeff

Hi Jeff

Patchburn did find my Memorex external and I believe it created a profile but when I launched DVD player the initailization error message appeared and couldn't play my DVD movie. When I had an internal burner there was never a problem. I just may go out and purchase a USB 2.0 PCI card for my G4.

Thanks
Web dude

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Answer 7

Jeff

Level 6

12,058 points

Jan 5, 2008 1:34 PM in response to Web dude

Having a USB 2.0 bus is a definite advantage, because the difference in the data transfer speed is quite noticeable - especially with flash memory drives. I've installed about (10) of the IOGEAR 2-port USB 2.0 cards in my Macs, and not had any problems with them. The consensus of opinion is to look for a card with an NEC controller chip, to minimize compatibility issues.

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Answer 8

Jan 10, 2008 5:49 PM in response to Web dude

Got the same issue

VLC causes to many problems

I got the Memorex 16x external Firewire/USB 2.0
I tried PatchBurn but still get the same error

The drive is recognized with every other app but DVD PLAYER

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Answer 9

Jan 10, 2008 5:54 PM in response to Lebowskiii

Adding an external DVD drive allows a computer to use DVD-ROM discs, but the Apple DVD Player application is still restricted from playing DVD-Video discs.

that answers it

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Answer 10

Jan 11, 2008 1:27 AM in response to Lebowskiii

This is supposed to let you use DVD Player with an external drive.
http://www.versiontracker.com/dyn/moreinfo/macosx/26590

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Answer 11

Web dude Author

Level 1

4 points

Jan 11, 2008 7:46 AM in response to Dave Hamilton

Thanks

I'm gonna try that one

Web dude

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Answer 12

Web dude Author

Level 1

4 points

Jan 11, 2008 2:13 PM in response to Dave Hamilton

Hi Dave

That link doesn't work, I get not found page

Web dude

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Answer 13

Jan 11, 2008 2:51 PM in response to Web dude

I found it here.Scroll down to the bottom of the page.
http://danpritchard.com/blog/2006/04/15/apple-dvd-player-user-op-patch-available -here

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Answer 14

Web dude Author

Level 1

4 points

Jan 11, 2008 4:15 PM in response to Dave Hamilton

hi Dave

My patch didn't work, I got this message,
" Sorry, this file to patch is not as expected.
The installed version of the DVDPlayback framework
is probably too recent for this version of the patcher.
Sorry, but the patch failed or couldn't be run."

Is there a work around?
jim

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Answer 15

Jan 14, 2008 3:33 AM in response to Web dude

The solution in the second post of this thread might work.
http://forum.rpc1.org/viewtopic.php?p=209983#209983&sid=31a6af0b899951fbdd9b410a 0919c692

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