External DVD writer compatible with Sequoia?

Yes, I just purchased an OWC Mercury Pro 16x to 24x.

Details:24X OWC Mercury Pro

USB 3.2 (5Gb/s) Super-Multi DVD/CD Burner/Reader External Optical Drive with M-DISC Support

https://eshop.macsales.com/item/OWC/MR3USD24/

They always say it's plug & play, from what I’ve seen out there, cheaper dvd drives, power running off the macbook.

This player comes with it’s own external power supply & cable.

I’m running M3 MB Pro, sequoia 15.2

I’ve tested running music, dvd movie, & burnt some photos. Only issue I’ve had so far, it’s not coming up in Finder however if I place a blank dvd, right click and select files to burn, it’s fine.

Music or Video disc placed in drive, do show up on the desktop ready to go.

I did set “Finder” settings to show on desktop: cd’s, DVD’s & ipod’s. So far it’s working, finally something is functioning.

My laptop was new as well, came with sequoia. I tried one slim dvd which was not functioning well enough to play movies start to finish from dvd; it was ok for music only. Which led me to suspect there was not enough power to run the movie full on, it was sketchy at best. It would start then hang, it was only functional at best for music which is why returned the slim drive dvd and opted another read/write.

OWC Mercury Pro 16x to 24x.

Details:24X OWC Mercury Pro

USB 3.2 (5Gb/s) Super-Multi DVD/CD Burner/Reader External Optical Drive with M-DISC Support

https://eshop.macsales.com/item/OWC/MR3USD24/

It reads & writes, plays music & watching movies isn’t a problem.

Most drives should be compatible with Sequoia, even your old LG. Optical drives are a universal standard. There is no specific compatibility with a specific macOS version.

The question is, how are you connecting it to the Mac? and is there a CD or DVD inserted in the drive?

Also, check Finder Settings, and make sure it’s set to show CDs, DVDs and iOS devices in the Sidebar.

"It's almost like it's not getting the correct power (there is no external power supply for this model)."

Yes, I had the same issue which is why I opted for the OWC read/write with it’s own power supply.

I wrote details on the model above, I just received it today.

It’s not a slim dvd reader btw, but it’s solid brushed chrome case.

As mentioned the only issue remaining is to have the dvd player to show up in finder without having media in the player; basically the player does not mount to view through finder. Viewing through disk utility if I have media in the drive it is viewable however the option to mount the player is grayed out.

As mentioned placing media, blank, music or video into the drive the player then appears on the desktop which enables functionality.

I'm still searching info to resolve the why it not viewable in finder.

Is the optical drive a self powered unit?

How is it connected to your laptop, i.e. directly or hub?

You know that unless the drive has a drive in it it won't show on the desktop. Also you need to have the Finder's General settings set to show CDs, DVDs and iPods.

FYI, Yes the dvd is not mounted onto the desktop until, inputing a music or movie dvd into the dvd drive, it initiates the opening of apple’s music app, and or apple’s dvd player.

It is then you see the dvd player with the contents mounted in the dvd player on the desktop.

• The applications open and load automatically
• Right clicking the dvd I have access to open, and eject, burn..etc
• When I eject the disc from the dvd drive, the dvd drive dismounts from the desktop.
• Status quo inputting a blank disc for burning, when inputing a black disc into the drive the drive mounts onto the desktop showing an untitled cd in the drive.

I have the same problem. I have two LG Ultra Slim Portable DVD writers. One is old and one I just bought. The old one will not work with my 2024 MacBook Air. The new one works.

Getting this new computer and updating to Sequoia have made me seriously rethink my allegiance to Apple. It's been nonstop replacing things that worked before and troubleshooting.