iMac 5.1 dvd replacement

Question

Level 1

8 points

iMac 5.1 dvd replacement

I have an iMac 5.1 (late 2006) Serial #: QP*******VUX, running the 10.6.8. Earlier in the year I installed a new hard drive and the operating system.

I'm having trouble burning long dvd's--about an hour's worth.

I'm the second owner. I'm not sure how often the burner had been used

prior to my possession of it. When I've tried to burn a disc, I get the message,

"Not recognizing disc" or "Unable to finish burning"--something like that.

Because of its age, I'm thinking that the drive is ready for retirement.
Should I replace the internal drive or get an external unit?

Thanks for the help!

DW

iMac, Mac OS X (10.6.8), null

Posted on Sep 18, 2015 11:11 AM

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Answer 1

Klaus1

Level 9

52,749 points

Sep 18, 2015 2:57 PM in response to Renton5

Should I replace the internal drive or get an external unit?

An external unit would probably be better, but much can depend on the quality of the media you are using. Verbatim, Maxell and Taiyo Yuden are generally the most reliable.

Also select a low burn speed: either 2x or 4x.

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Answer 2

Renton5 Author

Level 1

8 points

Sep 20, 2015 11:52 AM in response to Klaus1

Hello Klaus1!
Thank you for your response! When you said, "...quality of the media you are using",

I was using Imitation brand. I'm suspecting that might be a cheap/bad product, so

I'll get one of the brands you suggested and try that before replacing the unit.

This is the info on my optical drive:
24x Combo Drive
Slot-loading 8x Superdrive with a 2.4x Dual Layer burn

(DVD+R DL/DVD+RW/CD-RW)

I'll be burning iMovie videos and some music cds.

For the dvd, which kind of disc designation should I be

looking for?

Also, where do I control the speed of the burn?

As you can tell I'm not too savvy on computers.

Thank you for your help!

Bye,

DW

(aka Renton5)

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Answer 3

Ziatron

Level 5

4,186 points

Sep 20, 2015 1:22 PM in response to Renton5

Taiyo Yuden is the best. Available at the SuperMediaStore as well as Amazon, (watch out for fake Taiyo Yuden if the price seems too low).

I am in no way affiliated with Taiyo Yuden or any sellers of same, just a customer.

I use the OWC Mercury Pro 16x External Blu-Ray Burner.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00HW7LQ6G?psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=oh_aui_deta ilpage_o00_s00

Your burning speed is controlled by the program doing the burning. I use Apple's disk utilities as well as Toast. Both allow you several choices on burning speed.

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