External Blu-ray burner for Mac

[shawnEshawn]

I operate a video production company and am looking to buy a external Blu-ray burner for a Mac, one that does the dual layer 50g discs. We'll be using it for BD-R video discs as well as data backup. I am looking for suggestions for both a drive as well as media for production.

[Aaron]

Originally Posted by shawnEshawn

I operate a video production company and am looking to by a external Blu-ray burner for a Mac, one that does the dual layer 50g discs. We'll be using it for BD-R video discs as well as data backup. I am looking for suggestions for both a drive as well as media for production.

Yay! a fellow Mac user. http://www.mcetech.com/blu-ray/ Hope this helps.

[Aaron]

Originally Posted by AaronDavies

Yay! a fellow Mac user. http://www.mcetech.com/blu-ray/ Hope this helps.

Sorry, I didn't see external until after I posted. http://www.lacie.com/products/product.htm?pid=10867 I read about this in MacWorld, it sounds very nice. Hope this helps!

[shawnEshawn]

Anything a little more affordable? I know lacie uses other manufacturers drives and sticks them in their enclosures. Any idea who's drive that really is?
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2 JVC HD100 cameras, 1 JVC HD110, 6 JVC DR-HD100 video hard drives, LG/Zenith 32LC2DC 32 in. 16:9 LCD 720p HDTV, 4 Panasonic PT-D3500 3500 ANSI Lumens XGA DLP Projectors

[Aaron]

Originally Posted by shawnEshawn

Anything a little more affordable? I know lacie uses other manufacturers drives and sticks them in their enclosures. Any idea who's drive that really is?
__________________________
2 JVC HD100 cameras, 1 JVC HD110, 6 JVC DR-HD100 video hard drives, LG/Zenith 32LC2DC 32 in. 16:9 LCD 720p HDTV, 4 Panasonic PT-D3500 3500 ANSI Lumens XGA DLP Projectors

The drive is expensive, but external is always more than internal. Also the platform has to do a lot with it. I am not sure who is the actual manufacturer of the drive. You can buy a Sony Blu-ray internal drive for Windows for $600. If you would like to save money on a drive you could install Boot Camp or Parallels to run Windows on your Mac, but then you couldn't use iLife or Final Cut. What type of Mac are you using, and what software?

[shawnEshawn]

Power Mac G5 quad. Though I do have a Macbook Pro with windows XP bootcamped on there. And Final Cut Studio latest versions on there.

[Aaron]

Originally Posted by shawnEshawn

Power Mac G5 quad. Though I do have a Macbook Pro with windows XP bootcamped on there. And Final Cut Studio latest versions on there.

Good god.... that's a very nice set up. I use a 17" iMac with an Intel 2.0ghz, 1 gb Ram, and 250 gb hard drive. I was going to get the 20 inch version, but it wouldn't fit on my desk. I like Final Cut Studio, its by far the best editing program i've ever used.

[shawnEshawn]

Thank you. We work in the dance industry doing the live video portion in nation wide competitions. And doing things in the best manner, on the edge of what people want technologically(Blu-ray, iPod videos created and loaded on the spot, ect.)and doing it fast is key for us. Thus our equipment setup. On the whole I've found Final Cut Studio to be the best and easiest video system to use for everything. Now they just have to add native blu-ray burning support.

[Aaron]

If you are going to produce gross quanities, then I would suggest a Blu-ray duplicator. I found one for $200 more than the LaCie drive. Here's the link: http://www.costcentral.com/proddetai...65059/froogle/

[shawnEshawn]

Looks nice. And for $200 more, something to consider.

[McBain]

Originally Posted by AaronDavies

If you are going to produce gross quanities, then I would suggest a Blu-ray duplicator. I found one for $200 more than the LaCie drive. Here's the link: http://www.costcentral.com/proddetai...65059/froogle/

This Bravo SE model (63101) is a DVD/CD unit. The Blu-ray version (63121) retails for $2,995 and the included Mac software doesn't support BD. It also uses the Pioneer recorder which doesn't write DL.

Here's a review: http://www.emedialive.com/Articles/R...rticleID=12177

[Aaron]

Originally Posted by McBain

This Bravo SE model (63101) is a DVD/CD unit. The Blu-ray version (63121) retails for $2,995 and the included Mac software doesn't support BD. It also uses the Pioneer recorder which doesn't write DL.

Here's a review: http://www.emedialive.com/Articles/R...rticleID=12177

Thanks for catching that, the product description was a little misleading.

[McBain]

At $649 this is the least expensive external Panasonic I've seen:

http://eshop.macsales.com/item/Other...ng/MRFWU25582/

[shawnEshawn]

Perhaps this is something to move to a different topic but...

The software for burning blu-ray on a mac(toast 8) will only do data discs and not author discs for playback on players. Is there any software for windows to do that, that I could use with windows xp through bootcamp.
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That aside, good looking on the Panasonic. It doesn't appear any different than the Lacie D2 other than the D2 coming with Toast 7.1.1. But I'd rather get the panasonic price and buy the software separately.

[Aaron]

Originally Posted by shawnEshawn

Perhaps this is something to move to a different topic but...

The software for burning blu-ray on a mac(toast 8) will only do data discs and not author discs for playback on players. Is there any software for windows to do that, that I could use with windows xp through bootcamp.
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That aside, good looking on the Panasonic. It doesn't appear any different than the Lacie D2 other than the D2 coming with Toast 7.1.1. But I'd rather get the panasonic price and buy the software separately.

This looks good, http://www.ulead.com/dmf/runme.htm. You could edit the movie with Final Cut Studio, then transfer it to the Mac using Parallels, it might be easier than using Boot Camp. But I don't know how easy it is to transfer a 25-50 GB file.

[shawnEshawn]

Thank you again Aaron. I think I'm in business now. I hope. I think i'll just have to move the video files onto a external FAT32 hard drive for porting to windows.

Got any recommendations on media.

[Josh]

Originally Posted by shawnEshawn

I operate a video production company and am looking to buy a external Blu-ray burner for a Mac, one that does the dual layer 50g discs. We'll be using it for BD-R video discs as well as data backup. I am looking for suggestions for both a drive as well as media for production.

http://www.nu-global.com/1_english/3...ide.php?pID=72

Can be had at NewEgg for $700

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16827154038

[Aaron]

Originally Posted by shawnEshawn

Thank you again Aaron. I think I'm in business now. I hope. I think i'll just have to move the video files onto a external FAT32 hard drive for porting to windows.

Got any recommendations on media.

If your looking to save money, you might have a tough time.

25 GB
-If your going to make large amounts:
http://www.mediamegamall.com/bluray-...bs-p-7942.html


-Or, if you want to make small amounts:
http://www.mediamegamall.com/bluray-...25-p-3667.html

50 GB

-Small amounts
http://www.mediamegamall.com/sony-bl...he-p-6204.html

Blu-ray Disc Cases

http://www.sleevetown.com/

[shawnEshawn]

I love it! Those look great. Can you get those with a printable surface?

[Aaron]

Originally Posted by shawnEshawn

I love it! Those look great. Can you get those with a printable surface?

This might help. http://www.electronista.com/articles....blu.ray.disc/