Blu-ray writer for imac

RichHobson

RichHobson

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Ok folks, as part of my backup strategy I'm looking to add a bluray writer to my imac.

I've read how to do it and it's do-able with an external writer and using Toast.

Is anyone using a bluray writer on an imac and can recommend the hardware for max compatibility?

Cheers
 
RichHobson said:
Ok folks, as part of my backup strategy I'm looking to add a bluray writer to my imac.

I've read how to do it and it's do-able with an external writer and using Toast.

Is anyone using a bluray writer on an imac and can recommend the hardware for max compatibility?

Cheers
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I really wouldn't bother to be honest. The cost of discs, the speed of writing, optical discs having a limited life and being fragile. I personally would buy 3 x external hard drives - Similar cost, FAR quicker, FAR more space and more flexible.

It is quite easy though having stuck one on a Mac Pro just for a play before removing it....

http://www.scan.co.uk/products/lg-b...ernal-16x-dvdr-6x-plusrw-6x-rw-12x-ram-retail This external one from LG is a good price and will write to 50Gb discs (although these are still stupidly expensive).
 
Don't agree with the fragile bit, they're more durable and less prone to environmental issues than the other optical media.

Speed isnt the best, at 4x it'll take about 40 mins to burn 25gb.

As an archive media they're pretty good.
 
neil_g said:
Don't agree with the fragile bit, they're more durable and less prone to environmental issues than the other optical media.

Speed isnt the best, at 4x it'll take about 40 mins to burn 25gb.

As an archive media they're pretty good.
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That would mean it would take about 4 hours and 6 discs to back up my RAW files, docs, music etc. Obviously I wouldn't need to do that every day but it is a pain. Much easier to stick an external drive on the computer and start a backup routine then come back later. Not sure how much data the OP has need to backup but it is still a small device. If 100Gb re-writable discs were a fiver then maybe :D
 
Thanks folks.

The Bluray option is the final part of a complete backup solution.

I recently posted on how to get a really robust syetm and got some great advice.

I finally plumped for DROBO as my main system drive with it's redundancy.
Off site is taken care of by using a HDD taken into the house from the office (they are separate) and also cloud storage (which keeps previous versions of files thereby preventing loss through accidental deletion)

The Bluray is archival and belt n braces. 25GB will archive a Wedding nicely.

Thanks all.
 
I have two of the LGs they work absolutely fine. Id pick one with an firewire interface as that is much more efficient and doesn't place a lot on the cpu and overall i/o. Any lightscribe features also work great in OSX.
 
neil_g said:
Can't say I've noticed any system slowdown when I used to use my LG 5.25 in a cheapo usb enclosuer
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You don't have to, depending why else you are doing. It is a technical design fact though and very noticeable over sustained large data transfers.
 
dejongj said:
You don't have to, depending why else you are doing. It is a technical design fact though and very noticeable over sustained large data transfers.
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Granted USB will have an overhead, I'm saying that's never been a problem when burning 25gb disks for me over USB while multitasking.
 
cowasaki said:
Thats because OSX doesn't officially support bluray :D
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Actually it does natively. You don't need any drivers or anything to make the bluray drive work. The context of OSX support has to do with the bundled software media players, no playback support, but native support to read/burn discs no problem what so ever.
 
dejongj said:
Actually it does natively. You don't need any drivers or anything to make the bluray drive work. The context of OSX support has to do with the bundled software media players, no playback support, but native support to read/burn discs no problem what so ever.
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They must have sneaked that in with a point update or with snow leopard or Lion because you had to install Toast when I attached one to my Mac Pro back when Leopard was the cat.

To be honest Bluray is basically irrelevant for me hence not keeping the drive in. The discs are too expensive, too small and too slow. If 100Gb rewritable discs were £5-10 then I might consider it but when you can buy a 1Tb drive for £26 inc VAT bare drives are my chosen backup medium.
 
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