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Free DVD burning software?

PCMacUser

PCMacUser

macrumors 68000
Original poster
Jan 13, 2005
1,709
31
Hi guys and gals,

Just quickly wondering if anyone can recommend some free DVD burning software for OS X. I'd love to have Toast, but it's ridiculously expensive (way more than I paid for the DVD dual layer burner+external enclosure put together!).

I need the software to produce DVDs which are universally readable.
 
PCMacUser said:
I need the software to produce DVDs which are universally readable.
Click to expand...
Video DVDs? ISO? UDF? What exactly are you looking for?

You could always just use mkisofs and cdrecord, you can get more free, basic or interoperable then that. :p Get them from fink.

B
 
balamw said:
Video DVDs? ISO? UDF? What exactly are you looking for?

You could always just use mkisofs and cdrecord, you can get more free, basic or interoperable then that. :p Get them from fink.

B
Click to expand...
Um, I just want to back up the data (pictures, documents) on my iBook. Those acronyms just make my simple Tiger-adjusted brain go into a spin...
 
PCMacUser said:
Um, I just want to back up the data (pictures, documents) on my iBook. Those acronyms just make my simple Tiger-adjusted brain go into a spin...
Click to expand...
In that case, you can burn fully interoperable data DVDs with the built in Disk Utility. It's free too.:p Just make sure you select DVD/CD master as the Image Format.

B
 
balamw said:
In that case, you can burn fully interoperable data DVDs with the built in Disk Utility. It's free too.:p Just make sure you select DVD/CD master as the Image Format.

B
Click to expand...
Thanks! I'll give it a go.
 
Hmm, using Disk Utility, I get an error:

'Unable to create "disk1.cdr". not recognized.'

Any ideas?
 
I guess my question is a bit more basic since I do not have a Mac yet. On an iMac with iDVD, and assuming you have a SuperDrive, are you able to burn your video projects on DVD's or do you need to purchase additional software?
 
KevKaos said:
I guess my question is a bit more basic since I do not have a Mac yet. On an iMac with iDVD, and assuming you have a SuperDrive, are you able to burn your video projects on DVD's or do you need to purchase additional software?
Click to expand...

That is correct. Once you import your video and edit it with iMovie (if you want any editing), you can burn it using iDVD and it will do any necessary conversions for you.
 
bowens said:
That is correct. Once you import your video and edit it with iMovie (if you want any editing), you can burn it using iDVD and it will do any necessary conversions for you.
Click to expand...

OK. That is good news. One of the big selling points for me is that most of the software I will need comes standard on the iMac. I was afraid I misunderstood what I would and would not be able to do. If I am reading your post correctly, I should be able to input my digital video via USB 2, edit it with iMovie and then output to DVD using iDVD.

Sorry for being such a Dweeb, but I have been on PC's for so long, that I don't know what to expect. Trying to learn as much as I can before I buy my Mac.
 
why couldn't one use iDVD? i've never used it (or opened the app for that matter) but isn't its purpose burning DVDs?
 
KevKaos said:
If I am reading your post correctly, I should be able to input my digital video via USB 2, edit it with iMovie and then output to DVD using iDVD.
Click to expand...
It would be USB if your video was MPEG4. If your video is DV, it'd be FireWire. If your video is MPEG2 on a miniDVD, sell the camera and get one that takes miniDV tapes. It's not worth the trouble.
pianoman said:
why couldn't one use iDVD? i've never used it (or opened the app for that matter) but isn't its purpose burning DVDs?
Click to expand...
The OP appears to be asking about burning data DVDs. iDVD is for video and slideshow / photo DVDs.
 
Rod Rod said:
It would be USB if your video was MPEG4. If your video is DV, it'd be FireWire. If your video is MPEG2 on a miniDVD, sell the camera and get one that takes miniDV tapes. It's not worth the trouble.
Click to expand...
Shows how much I know. :eek: I have a Panasonic Digital video camera that records onto digital tape. It only has USB2 ouput (no Firewire). I have only had the camera for less than two years and have only used it a handful of times because my PC is such a dog that it can't even handle it. Take forever to transfer to the PC, runs for a bit and then blogs down due to not having enough memory and such. Have no DVD burner and not willing to buy one for a dog system. My choices seem to be, buy a new full blown PC or buy a Mac. I'm going Mac!!!
 
Rod Rod said:
The OP appears to be asking about burning data DVDs. iDVD is for video and slideshow / photo DVDs.
Click to expand...

thanks for the info. i'll remember that for when i need to send a video/photo slideshow.
 
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