Burning DVD with iTunes

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Level 2

174 points

Burning DVD with iTunes

I'd like to put large files of podcasts onto a DVD because they would take up too many CDs. I can't find any instructions beyond vague "you can do this...or that..." without explaining how to do it. And I don't want to waste DVDs making mistakes.

Can anyone outline the simple steps? If it is simple.

iMac G4, Mac OS X (10.3.8), iTunes 6.0

Posted on Feb 28, 2006 3:46 PM

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Answer 1

Best reply

macmenno

Level 6

10,080 points

Feb 28, 2006 5:05 PM in response to Nancy Rathke

• Create a new playlist
• Drag all files you want to burn on DVD to this playlist.
• Set 'Disc Format:' in Preferences>Advanced>Burning to 'Data CD or DVD'
• Select the playlist if it's not already selected
• Click on the 'Burn Disc' icon (top right).
iTunes will check media and playlist.
If the files don't fit on the disc, you will see the message:
"The songs in this playlist will not fit on one data disc.
Do you want to create multiple data discs with this playlist split across them?
This will require more than one blank disc to complete."

If you think only a few files need to be removed from the playlist to fit the others on one disc, click cancel, remove some files from the playlist and try again.

At the bottom of the iTunes window you will see the total amount of GB's that the playlist takes. Although a DVD says to be 4.7 GB, you can't fit more than 4.3 - 4.4 GB on it (due to difference in calculation methods and index files).

To remove the files from the playlist and the Library after a successful burn, select all items in the playlist (command-A) and Option-Delete them (hold the Option key and press the DEL key)

Hope this helps.

M

17' iMac fp 800 MHz 768 MB RAM Mac OS X (10.3.9) Several ext. HD (backup and data)

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Answer 2

Nancy Rathke Author

Level 2

174 points

Feb 28, 2006 7:27 PM in response to macmenno

Thanks, macmenno--it seems obvious now that you've spelled it out. I wasn't sure how much room there really was on a DVD. My first try worked beautifully, but I realize I could have gotten a lot more on it. At least, when you group everything together in a playlist, it tots it up for you!

Next time I will keep adding to my playlist until it gets to the 4.3+ level, and then burn.

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Answer 3

wwspence

Level 1

0 points

Mar 10, 2006 3:43 PM in response to macmenno

This is my first attempt to burn DVDs. So far, I have had no success in burning data DVDs from iTunes. I followed exactly your instructions for setting up iTunes and burning an Apple Podcast. There is always the Error Message: "The attempt to burn a disk failed. The device failed to respond properly, unable to recover or retry."

Burning CDs have been successful-iTunes songs, photo files, etc.

Wendell

G5 Dual 2.0MHz. OS X 10.4.5. Sony DVD RW DW-U21A.

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Answer 4

macmenno

Level 6

10,080 points

Mar 10, 2006 4:12 PM in response to wwspence

I've seen several topics concerning that message.
Sorry, there is no 'quick fix' however.

You might try burning from the Finder. Drag the contents of the playlist to a new folder on the desktop and try to burn the folder on DVD.

Some other things to try:
Slow down burn speed.
Use other brand of DVD-R

You could also try another burning program.
Here are two which allow a limited number of burns in the trial version:
DiscBlaze and Dragon Burn

Hope this helps.

M

17' iMac fp 800 MHz 768 MB RAM Mac OS X (10.3.9) Several ext. HD (backup and data)

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Answer 5

wwspence

Level 1

0 points

Mar 12, 2006 3:06 PM in response to macmenno

Thanks for the information. I have been using Memorex 16X DVD-R disks. Both Apple Finder, iTunes, Dragon Burn and DiscBlaze refused to work on these disks.

So, I tried some Maxwell 8X DVD+R disks. All of the above burning programs work OK on these disks.

Thanks again.

Wendell

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Answer 6

Parag

Level 1

65 points

Mar 12, 2006 5:52 PM in response to wwspence

Wendell- I had a similar experience with the Memorex DVD-R's using my external DVD burner. I was able to apply a firmware upgrade to the burner that made the discs usable. Thought I'd mention it.

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