Playing DVD from external drive in Ventura

Question

Level 1

4 points

Playing DVD from external drive in Ventura

I've looked at older questions, but now we're in 2023, and nothing looks or acts the same as 2022. VLC has not been updated since 2020, so i don't want to use it. I have an LG DVD writer external, hooked up to a multiport adapter (since the new Macbooks only come with the USB-C ports). Brand new Macbook, Ventura, everything updated. When I put a DVD in the driver, iTunes recognizes it as a music disc and wants to import. I cannot get DVD Player to recognize it, or even QuickTime player. In "system settings-general-sharing CD, DVD" I have sharing ON. My ultimate goal was to play the DVD on my computer, and hdmi the computer to the TV. Can you suggest a next step? Thanks in advance.

MacBook Air (M1, 2020)

Posted on Jun 13, 2023 11:17 AM

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Answer 1

Old Toad

Level 10

208,463 points

Jun 9, 2024 9:10 AM in response to Marge38

Marge38 wrote:

my dvd will not enter external drive

It's best to start your own topic after reading this user tip: Writing an Effective Apple Support Communities Question - Apple Community

That way you'll get replies specific to your problem and not confused with the author's.

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Answer 2

Old Toad

Level 10

208,463 points

Jun 13, 2023 11:46 AM in response to cedwards220

Is the multi-port adaptor self powered? If not you may not be providing enough power to all of the units so that the optical drive is useable.

Is the optical drive recognized in the  ➙ System Information app? (Hold down the option key when selecting the  menu).

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Answer 3

dialabrain

Level 10

122,903 points

Jun 13, 2023 2:28 PM in response to cedwards220

Just to add, a SuperDrive, which I've owned since around the time of the Civil War, plugged directly into a port of my M1 2020 MacBook Air, has no problem playing DVDs using VLC in Ventura and later. You would need a USB to USB C adapter or Apple's AV Multi-port adapter.

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Answer 4

Old Toad

Level 10

208,463 points

Jun 13, 2023 2:38 PM in response to cedwards220

I have an LG optical drive from OWC plugged into my 2017 iMac running Ventura and when I insert a video DVD it starts playing automatically with DVD Player. DVD Player is located here in Ventura:

Check to see if it is on your M1 Mac. If it is you can set it to automatically launch whenever a video DVD is inserted in the optical drive:

This Settings pane is not available unless the optical drive is on and plugged in.

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Answer 5

cedwards220 Author

Level 1

4 points

Jun 13, 2023 12:36 PM in response to Old Toad

The adapter has a power in port (currently empty) so i'm thinking it is self powered. i'll have to look for something to plug into it. thanks. I didn't think of that.

As for the System Info, I found a "disk burning" item, and no device found. It's the only one that looks like it might fit, so I guess it's not recognized. Would that be because of lack of power?

thanks for responding so quickly. :-)

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Answer 6

Old Toad

Level 10

208,463 points

Jun 13, 2023 2:00 PM in response to cedwards220

Make sure the optical drive was connected and turned on before accessing the System Information. Try closing System information and opening it back up so see if the drive can be seen.

Can you see the dock in the USB or other section of the report?

Can you plug the drive directly into one of the available ports and see it?

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Answer 7

cedwards220 Author

Level 1

4 points

Jun 13, 2023 2:28 PM in response to Old Toad

ok, I turned everything off, and started over. player is now listed in Disc Burning item, but i'm not sure what you mean by your other question "Can you see the dock in the USB or other section of the report?"

looks like this

3.1 bus

3.1 hub

2.1 hub

USB-c vid adapter

MT1807

USB reciever

So, its showing the hub. yes.

Interesting listed in Storage, too.

The player is plugged directly into the hub.

I opened DVD Player app, but it still won't open the video. Could it be because the player is now 10 years old?

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Answer 8

cedwards220 Author

Level 1

4 points

Jun 13, 2023 2:46 PM in response to Old Toad

Ive been opening through Spotlight.

I had already tweaked that setting, earlier today. The viewer is open but it won't open the dvd.

I can go to the view File, Open DVD Media, the folder is the external player, and all the files are listed. I click on Open button, and it does nothing but close that option window.

I'm going to go grab a regular movie (this one is a musical) and see if i can get past iTunes

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