Optimal connection: LG WH16NS40 CD/DVD/BD player/writer to 2020 MacMini M1

Question

Level 2

454 points

Optimal connection: LG WH16NS40 CD/DVD/BD player/writer to 2020 MacMini M1

I am gradually transitioning from my MacPro 5,1 (which is slowly dying) to a MacMini M1 running Sequoia. I had the LG optical disk above installed in the MacPro since 2017 and was able to read and write CDs/DVDs and BluRays (running Mojave.)

I removed the LG from the MacPro and used a OWC external drive enclosure to connect it to the MacMini. The Mac Mini recognizes the player and DVDs play with the Apple DVD Player app. The Mini recognizes the player with a BluRay disc but it won't play. I haven't tried to burn anything yet in any format.

I've seen a couple of recommendations for apps to use for playing BluRay disks. Is there an app that will let me play AND burn BlueRay discs on the Mini?

Thanks for the suggestions.

Mac mini, macOS 15.5

Posted on Jul 19, 2025 3:56 PM

Reply

Answer 1

Top-ranking reply

Tesserax

Level 10

158,208 points

Jul 19, 2025 5:34 PM in response to pomme-homme

Blu-ray playback is where macOS continues to show its limits. Unlike CDs and DVDs, macOS doesn’t natively support Blu-ray video playback due to licensing restrictions around the Blu-ray standard. That’s why Apple DVD Player will recognize the disc but not actually play it.

To play Blu-ray movies, you’ll need a third-party app. Two of the most commonly recommended options for macOS are:

Leawo Blu-ray Player (free)
Macgo Mac Blu-ray Player (paid)

As for burning Blu-rays, the LG supports full BD-R/RE writing, and macOS can handle disc burning via Finder for simple data jobs. But for more complex tasks like video Blu-ray creation, you’ll want a third-party utility. A good example would be: Roxio Toast Titanium Pro

Reply

Answer 2

Rudegar

Level 10

180,576 points

Jul 20, 2025 2:07 AM in response to pomme-homme

a google show that it seems to be an 5-1/4 internal computer drive

Amazon.com: LG Electronics WH16NS40 16X Blu-ray/DVD/CD Multi compatible Internal SATA Rewriter Drive, BDXL, M-DISC Support, Black : Electronics

to use that you need to get an external usb enclosure for it (it might be more expensive to buy a normal external usb drive though)

something like this Delock Products 42484 Delock 5.25″ External Enclosure for SATA drives > USB 3.0

more

5.25'' optical drive external enclosure - Google-

Reply