change DVD+R to mp4 on a mid 2010 iMac

Question

Level 1

8 points

change DVD+R to mp4 on a mid 2010 iMac

I have several DVD+R discs the I made from personal vhs tapes years ago, and which I'd like to convert into .mp4 files. When I insert one of them into the disc reader, the Mac says that I "inserted a blank DVD".

Does the built-in disc player not read DVD+R discs, or is it broken? A regular commercial DVD will play in that built-in disc drive.

The VHS/DVD player/copier on which the DVD+R disc was made has an HDMI output, and the disc does play when I connect that output to the HDMI input of a TV. Can I connect that HDMI output into the Mac and then, perhaps with VLC, convert it into an mp4 file?

Thanks so much.

Posted on Aug 29, 2020 5:26 PM

Reply

Answer 1

Top-ranking reply

Vibraphone Author

Level 1

8 points

Aug 31, 2020 6:16 AM in response to KiltedTim

Bingo.

Thanks very much. Apparently longer DVDs (>30% of the disc) were automatically finalized after I recorded them, but the shorter ones needed to be finalized manually, which I had failed to do. After I finalized them now they did play on my Mac's disc drive.

Now I think I need to open the DVD files and convert VOBs to mp4s via Handbrake, so that I can get them into iMovie to edit.

Thanks again.

Reply

Answer 2

KiltedTim

Level 10

225,210 points

Aug 30, 2020 3:12 PM in response to Vibraphone

In all likelihood, the disk was not 'finalized' by the recorder that created it. Until it is, you won't be able to read it.

Reply

Answer 3

den.thed

Level 10

91,012 points

Aug 29, 2020 6:47 PM in response to Vibraphone

Try cleaning your iMac’s SuperDrive with a dry DVD cleaning disc.

If that doesn’t help, try using an aftermarket USB DVD/CD Drive.

Personally I have 2 LG DVD/CD drives, that work better than any built-in or the branded USB SuperDrive.

Reply

Answer 4

BDAqua

Level 10

250,253 points

Aug 29, 2020 5:59 PM in response to Vibraphone

Open System Report>Hardware>Disc Burning, what does that report?

HL-DT-ST DVDRW GA32N:

Firmware Revision: KE06

Interconnect: ATAPI

Burn Support: Yes (Apple Shipping Drive)

Cache: 1024 KB

Reads DVD: Yes

CD-Write: -R, -RW

DVD-Write: -R, -R DL, -RW, +R, +R DL, +RW

Write Strategies: CD-TAO, CD-SAO, CD-Raw, DVD-DAO

Media: To show the available burn speeds, insert a disc and choose File > Refresh Information

Reply

Answer 5

Vibraphone Author

Level 1

8 points

Aug 30, 2020 5:38 AM in response to BDAqua

Thanks for your reply, but I am confused. Where is "System Report"? I do not see it in Disc Utility.

Please note that I am not trying to burn a DVD. I already have +R DVDs that play in the player that made them (to a TV, via HDMI), but are not recognized by the internal drive of my Mac. I want to get their information into the Mac, but using and HDMI to Thunderbolt adapter the signal is not recognized.

Reply

Answer 6

den.thed

Level 10

91,012 points

Aug 30, 2020 3:11 PM in response to Vibraphone

Oh gosh' I haven't done anything like that for years and that was way way back in Tiger, Leopard and Snow Leopard. Sorry but at this point, I only remember having and using an old version of Toast, VLC and iMovie HD.

Reply

Answer 7

Vibraphone Author

Level 1

8 points

Aug 30, 2020 5:40 AM in response to den.thed

Thank you. I doubt it is a cleaning issue as the Mac's internal drive will play regular DVDs. Do your LG DVD/CD USB drives play R+ DVDs?

Reply

Answer 8

den.thed

Level 10

91,012 points

Aug 30, 2020 6:04 AM in response to Vibraphone

Yeah’ I have a dozen or more Memorex R+ DVDs with home movies on them. Although I’ve pretty much moved away from using disc media except for importing an occasional CD into iTunes.

Reply

Answer 9

Vibraphone Author

Level 1

8 points

Aug 30, 2020 6:38 AM in response to den.thed

Thanks again. When you play them into the USB, does the MAC immediately recognize them as DVDs? Do you use VLC or similar software to convert them to mp4 files?

Reply

change DVD+R to mp4 on a mid 2010 iMac

Similar questions