iDVD Drive Initialization Error

Since it's also a hardware issue you should also post in the MacBook Pro forum.

Is the DVD drive recognized in the System Information Disc Burning section?

Have your tried different USB ports?

OT

Try this basic troubleshooting fix :

1 - delete the IDVD preference file, com.apple.iDVD.plist, that resides in your

User/Home()/Library/ Preferences folder.

2 - delete IDVD'S cache file, Cache.db, that is located in your

User/Home()/Library/Caches/com.apple.iDVD folder.

Click to view full size

3 - launch IDVD and try again.

Remember: In Lion and Mountain Lion the Library folder is now invisible. To make it permanently visible enter the following in the Terminal application window: chflags nohidden ~/Library and hit the Enter button - 10.7: Un-hide the User Library folder.

Once it's visible you'll be able to find and delete those two files.

Move the contents of the cache folder to the Desktop and try launching iDVD again.

Are you sure you don't have a com.apple.iDVD.plist file in your Home/Library/Preferences folder? If you've run iDVD just once in that account there should be such a file.

I had the same issue after I installed an OWC data Doubler with a large hard drive in my MBP, and installed the Superdrive in an external enclosure.

This is not a hardware issue! It's a function of how the OS is set up to recognise the drive as an "internal" drive, as specified in the system file "DVDPlayback"

This is what I did to solve this issue.

Download and install VLC player. http://www.videolan.org/vlc/index.html

Go to System Preferences/CDs & DVDs

Under "When you insert a video DVD" click on the dialog box.

Choose "Open other application ..."

Choose VLC

Done!

This worked for me, so thank you! The DVD player app seems to have vanished, but this will do.

VLC is a ok alternative, but if you would like to keep using the Apple DVD Player, just follow the detailed instructions here: http://macenstein.com/default/2011/07/how-to-get-your-external-super-drive-worki ng-in-lion/

I also had the same problem after installing an OWC Data Doubler, and the fix there solved the issue for me. Despite the title of the page it also works in Mountain Lion.

This was working. But after update Mavericks there is no map with DVDPlayback.framework anymore.

I have the error back again after update to Mavericks.

I just performed this fix on my Mini running Mavericks. Are you sure you followed the path correctly? My DVD Player app was working fine prior to installing Mavericks, and now it is functional again.

This appears to be an issue with the DVD Player app. My superdrive was still visible, and I could use it for all other apps (iDVD, iTunes, MDRP, VLC, etc). It was only DVD Player that would throw the initialaztion error messsage.

Following the instructions at: http://macenstein.com/default/2011/07/how-to-get-your-external-super-drive-worki ng-in-lion/ fixed me just fine.

I just did the same thing to my MBP (put in a Samsung 256GB SSD, put the original 750GB HD in using the data doubler from OWC). I tested it with CD's and was fine and testing with a DVD gave me the error.

I went to the instructions using the link (see below) and even though I'm running the latest Mavericks, it was a piece of cake (and I'm still an OSX newbie as well).

http://macenstein.com/default/2011/07/how-to-get-your-external-super-drive-worki ng-in-lion/

This is a bad solution, in fact it is the absolute wrong solution. If for some reason, like you sell your MBP and want to take the data doubler out to use it in another laptop, the reverse issue will happen and the drive will again not be recognised. this is what you shoudl have done (I posted this solution before on 1-11-2013, see above)

I had the same issue after I installed an OWC data Doubler with a large hard drive in my MBP, and installed the Superdrive in an external enclosure.

This is not a hardware issue! It's a function of how the OS is set up to recognise the drive as an "internal" drive, as specified in the system file "DVDPlayback"

This is what I did to solve this issue.

Download and install VLC player. http://www.videolan.org/vlc/index.html

Go to System Preferences/CDs & DVDs

Under "When you insert a video DVD" click on the dialog box.

Choose "Open other application ..."

Choose VLC

Done!

This is such a simple solution, and what is great, it can easily be reversed if the data doubler is removed.

If it works, how can it be the wrong solution?

First off, I wasn't very impressed with the VLC player (downloaded that early on for other things I was trying to watch, and didn't care for it).

Secondly, it's not very hard to reverse the steps suggested; just do the Find --> Replace in reverse (Find External, Replace with Internal). If I were going to the effort to put the Superdrive back in, that step seems pretty minor when you get down to it.

Both are pretty simple really.

How about we leave it to each their own? 🙂

Not to mention, if i'm selling my MBP, putting the Superdrive back in, chances are I'm going to be installing OSX freshly as well. Wouldn't that also reset the settings back to the default? (Interesting question actually - does a fresh install of OSX automatically recognize if there is an internal drive and setup accordingly? After all, the rMBP and MBA (or Mac Mini) don't have Superdrives internally and the OS download isn't different for the different hardwares, is it?)