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How to Use CDs, DVDs, and Blu-rays on a Mac Without an Optical Drive

Discussion in 'Mac - General discussion' started by ireland, Dec 15, 2014.

  1. ireland

    ireland Active member

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    How to Use CDs, DVDs, and Blu-rays on a Mac Without an Optical Drive


    Apple’s MacBook Air, along with many other Macs, no longer includes an optical drive. But you can still use CDs, DVDs, Blu-Rays, and other optical discs on your Mac.

    The tricks here are similar to how you’d access an optical drive on a Windows UltraBook or similar PC that doesn’t include an optical drive of its own.

    Option 1: Get an External Drive
    An external optical drive will allow you to access discs on your Mac. To do this, you’ll need to buy an external disc reader that plugs into your Mac via a USB cable. Such an external drive could read CDs and DVDs, play Blu-Rays, and even burn discs — if that’s what you want. You can leave a drive like this on your desk at home or take with you in your laptop bag.

    Apple offers their own external drive known as the Apple USB SuperDrive. It plugs into a Mac via a USB cable and allows you to both read and write CDs and DVDs. It doesn’t have Blu-Ray support, so you’ll need to find another external drive if you care about that. Apple’s isn’t the only option — you can also buy third-party ones, and you’ll find many of them on Amazon and elsewhere.

    If you have multiple Macs, such an external drive will allow you to plug it into any Mac you’re using, getting the benefits of optical disc support when you actually need it.





    Option 2: Use Remote Disc Sharing
    Luckily, it’s possible to use discs without buying an external drive thanks to the built-in Remote Disc feature. A Mac or Windows PC on your network can function as a server, and your Mac can access discs inserted into that server. The appropriate server software is included on a Mac, so you’ll just have to enable it. Apple also provides free remote disc server software for WIndows PCs. As long as you have another computer with an optical drive on your network, you can use its optical drive from your Mac.



    GO HERE TO READ MORE

    http://www.howtogeek.com/204867/how-to-use-cds-dvds-and-blu-rays-on-a-mac-without-an-optical-drive/
     
  2. Nepheler

    Nepheler Member

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    Taking external drive is heavy and cumbersome. I simply use a Blu-ray/DVD ripper like BDMagic or DVDAid.
     
  3. ddp

    ddp Moderator Staff Member

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    are not heavy if using the slimline version like what is in regular laptops.
     
  4. chrismas.albert

    chrismas.albert Member

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    My Pioneer BDR-XD04 USB Blu ray drive works so well with MACGO Blu ray player until so far. It's a bit trouble me that need internet connection all the time.
     
  5. Nepheler

    Nepheler Member

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    I guess the player need to download disc code when uncompressing the content on Blu-ray?
     
  6. chrismas.albert

    chrismas.albert Member

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    Yes it need internet to connect their software server to decode. ANYWAY, it worked well.
     

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