Lacie d2 DVD-RW Firewire Drive & iDVD

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Dino1956 Author

Level 1

57 points

Lacie d2 DVD-RW Firewire Drive & iDVD

Ok, so I bought my Mac Mini without a Superdrive. So now I want to buy a Lacie external Firewire DVD-RW drive. They have one that comes with Toast Titanium 8. I read a lot on Internet about external burners not working with iDVD. Has this issue been solved? Is Leopard now permitting you to use an external? I know I can just create a Disc Image & then Burn in Toast. But will I be able to burn directly from iDVD ? That is my question. Some people say with the new Drives & Leopard you can, others say you can't. I'm confused. I'm going with the Lacie because after doing the research, it seems like it is the most Mac friendly. Thanks. As always I appreciate the help.

Mac Mini Intel Core 2Duo, Mac OS X (10.5.3), One Gig Ram

Posted on Jun 12, 2008 10:51 AM

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Answer 1

AndyO

Level 6

17,064 points

Jun 12, 2008 11:06 AM in response to Dino1956

In older versions of MacOS, a small utility called PatchBurn was often needed for iDVD to be able to work with an external drive, but Leopard was supposed to do away with the need for it. Some drives are not, however, fully compatible, perhaps due to the chipset used in the drive enclosure, so iDVD still doesn't recognize them all. That may be why there seems to be confusing information.

Have you checked with Lacie to see what they say regarding that specific drive and Leopard/iLife?

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Answer 2

Nick Holmes

Level 7

30,018 points

Jun 12, 2008 11:09 AM in response to Dino1956

I have the LaCie d2 external DVD burner and several d2 FireWire hard drives.

The burner has never, ever made a coaster and has been used in every application I have that supports burning - including iDVD and DVD Studio Pro.

I am very pleased with their products as a whole.

Message was edited by for "speling" by: Nick Holmes

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Answer 3

Dino1956 Author

Level 1

57 points

Jun 12, 2008 8:34 PM in response to Nick Holmes

Nick,

Thank you for giving me the answer I was looking for. I needed the answer to be from someone that owns that Lacie d2 Firewire DVD-RW. So it works with all functions on both iDVD & iMovie. That is excellent news. BTW, what is your exact Model Number? The drive I'm thinking about buying is Model # 301196U. Thank you.

Dino

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Answer 4

babowa

Level 9

78,580 points

Jun 13, 2008 12:29 AM in response to Dino1956

I've also used a LaCie firewire DVDRW for what seems forever (mine came with Toast Titanium 6 and the model number is 300984, probably the same model just with a new updated model number) - without any problems and very reliable (hardly ever use any of my Superdrives). I just got a used Mini (2 GHz) running 10.4.11 and did have to download their latest disc recording support (driver?) because System Profiler wouldn't show the burner at first; as soon as I installed it, the burner showed up. According to LaCie, that is no longer necessary under Tiger, but obviously, in my case, it was. Anyway, it's working fine and I like their products (have several of their hard drives as well).

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Answer 5

Nick Holmes

Level 7

30,018 points

Jun 13, 2008 6:39 AM in response to Dino1956

Hi Dino,

I bought mine in January 2005. The actual burner in there is a NEC ND3504-A. LaCie just assemble the FireWire interface electronics, and case it up.

But I am sure that if my 3 year old d2 is compatible with 10.5, yours most certainly will be.

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Answer 6

Dino1956 Author

Level 1

57 points

Jun 13, 2008 7:55 AM in response to Nick Holmes

Thanks Barbara & Nick. I guess I picked the correct external for my Mac Mini. Both of your replies reassured me that I sould have no problems using iDVD, Leopard & the Mac Mini. I appreciate the help. Thanks again.

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Answer 7

Dino1956 Author

Level 1

57 points

Jun 13, 2008 11:00 PM in response to Nick Holmes

Ok the Tech at Lacie thinks I may have problems Daisy Chaining. Here is my Firewire Daisy Chain.

Mac Mini - MyBook Firewire External HD - LaCie Firewired2 DVD-RW - MiniDv Camcorder

All the stuff I'll be burning will be on the MyBook, he says writing from the MyBook COULD cause issues. ??? What do you guys think ?

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Answer 8

Boece

Level 5

6,264 points

Jun 14, 2008 7:06 AM in response to Dino1956

What that many firewire devices, I'd look for a firewire hub -- instead of daisy-chaining.

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Answer 9

ThomasG

Level 5

6,745 points

Jun 14, 2008 7:28 AM in response to Dino1956

I suggest disconnecting the Camcorder when you plan to burn discs. There is no problem keeping the external hard drive in the chain.

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Answer 10

Dino1956 Author

Level 1

57 points

Jun 14, 2008 8:51 AM in response to Boece

Boece,

When you say that many devices ???? I hear you can Firewire Daisy Chain up to 63 Devices. I only have 3 Devices. I just don't understand how that can be a lot of devices when most reports say up to 63. Again, its a MyBook, Lacie d2 DVD-RW & a MiniDV Camcorder. I'm not saying you are wrong, I'm just confused. Everywhere I read it says Daisy Chaining Firewire works perfectly. Thank you.

Dino

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Answer 11

Dino1956 Author

Level 1

57 points

Jun 15, 2008 7:58 PM in response to Dino1956

OK i think I'M GOING TO BUY THE DRIVE IN THE USB 2.0/Firewire Version instead of just the Firewire. The tech told me that if I buy from LaCie they will include Toast Titanium 8, even though that software only usually comes with the Firewire Only Drive. This way if I have ANY Firewire daisy chain problem, I could always use it USB 2.0

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Answer 12

babowa

Level 9

78,580 points

Jun 15, 2008 9:40 PM in response to Dino1956

I'm no expert, but I've read that it's much better to have a FW burner rather than a USB burner. Since I just got the Mini and had a problem myself with 2 external FW hard drives and the burner, I just bought a Belkin 6-port Firewire hub for less than $35 ($40 including shipping) - would have bought a combo USB/FW hub, but I had just recently bought a new Belkin USB hub. Anyway, the hub works great and I no longer have a problem.

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Answer 13

Jun 15, 2008 11:26 PM in response to Dino1956

NO! You can't use USB2!

Daisy chaining drives is OK. It is the order of the chain that will cause you problems. You must put the device that requires the most power at the start of the chain and work your way down. So, plug an external hard drive into the mini and a camera into the hard drive. The same for DVD drives.

I have my LaCie DVD drive daisy chained to my external hard drive, which is plugged into the computer and when I want to import video I just unplug the LaCie DVD drive and daisy chain my camera to the external. I've found any other combination produces errors.

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Answer 14

Dino1956 Author

Level 1

57 points

Jun 16, 2008 12:40 AM in response to Silly rabbit

Ok, so I can't use USB 2.0 with iDVD, correct ? So I'm back to Firewire all the way.
I wanted to have everything hooked up all the time without unplugging devices.
My problem is I'm using my MiniDV Camcorder as a Webcam, so I wanted to always have the Hard Drive, The DVD Writer & The Camera all daisy Chained, (in that order), and all 3 Powered On & ready to go. I guess getting the hub Barbara suggested its the only Solution. Barbara , what type of problems were you having & what devices did you have daisy chaned & in what order? Thanks for all the help. I appreciate it.

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Answer 15

Jun 16, 2008 12:47 AM in response to Dino1956

Try daisy chaining all the devices and see if it works. I couldn't get my camera to be recognised when it was plugged into the LaCie DVD drive daisy chained from the external drive, but give it a go anyway. It might work for you and save you a few bob. A self powered Firewire hub shouldn't have issues.

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