Remote Disk Questions, Issues, Recommendations.

[tshrimp]

New mac user here.....

As you know the Mac Mini does not have a DVD/RW drive. I don't use a DVD drive much, but wanted to get the Remote Disk option working for when I do want to play or burn a DVD.

1) I am connecting to a Windows 7 PC and have downloaded the software needed for Remote Disk. The Mac Mini sees it just fine, but when I tried to play a DVD the DVD software on the Mac Mini sees the Remote Disk and starts to play the DVD but soon crashes (stutters bad before crashing). Sometimes just stops playing the movie and doesn't crash. I thought it was a bandwidth issue, but was able to play HD movie (.WTV file) with no issue via VLC from that PC to the Mac Mini.

2) Also Should I be able to burn disks via the Remote Disk? If I put a CD or DVD RW in the drive it just states that it is searching.

3) Does a Mac include any type of burning software? If not is there any good free software?

4) If Remote Disk does not work the way I was hoping (like and attached drive) is there any recommendations for an external USB Blu-Ray burner or DVD burner the will work well with my mini. Do not want the Apple Superdrive as it is way too expensive. So any non Apple drives that worked for you?

Thanks for your help.

 

[philipma1957]

there are a lot of low cost dvd drives that will work.

blu ray is more difficult but can be done.


I will link you to a dvd that works.


http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827190022

 

[tshrimp]

Thanks for the reply, but at this point I would rather get the remote disk working if possible.

Has anyone had any experience using a Win7 DVD drive for their Mac Mini's remote disk?

BTW....Here is the link to instructions that I followed.... http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1777?viewlocale=en_US


Thanks,

 

[marzer]

That's interesting that it played at all as a DVD movie. My experience with DVD/CD sharing (Airbook and Mac mini) has been that it does not permit playing DVD or CD media. I can only access them as data disks, which is fine for ripping movies but iTunes won't see the files on music CDs for ripping.

 

[tshrimp]

That's interesting that it played at all as a DVD movie. My experience with DVD/CD sharing (Airbook and Mac mini) has been that it does not permit playing DVD or CD media. I can only access them as data disks, which is fine for ripping movies but iTunes won't see the files on music CDs for ripping.

Sounds like I got lucky. As long as this is normal I can live with it. I have so many DVD/BR players that I didn't need it. I can also rip my music on my Windows system and drag them over to my Mac. What program are you using for ripping movies? I have used Handbrake in the past. Will it see the Remote Disk?

 

[marzer]

Sounds like I got lucky. As long as this is normal I can live with it. I have so many DVD/BR players that I didn't need it. I can also rip my music on my Windows system and drag them over to my Mac. What program are you using for ripping movies? I have used Handbrake in the past. Will it see the Remote Disk?

Handbrake is all I've ever used, easy and quick. I picked up a couple cheap ext DVD drives so I can batch rip when needed. And handbrake will see remote disk for file ripping.