BHC Loc: Strawberry Valley, JF, USA

If this topic should be in Post Processing, I would appreciate anyone having Admin move it there.
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I have a MacBook Pro and want to send some pictures to family members. I don't want to reduce the file size, so I cannot e-mail them. My computer will allow me to burn the pictures to a CD; I have them all in one folder so batch processing will not pose a problem.

I have a rather large quantity of blank DVR disks with jewel cases and would like to use those, however, my computer, although it recognizes DVD's with content, will not let me burn photos using the "burn to CD" commands. I have a hard time even copying the photos to the DVD's. I can, of course, burn to CD's, but I'd like to use my DVD's.

So, my question is this:

Is there any way to convert a DVD to a CD? I know the capacity would be greatly reduced, but that doesn't matter. Is the construction od a DVD the same as a CD, but with different formatting? Is there a program (hopefully free or low cost) that would make the conversion? I would appreciate any assistance from anyone familiar with this dilemma. Thank you for your assistance.

speters Loc: Grangeville/Idaho

I don't know why you're experience those difficulties. I regularely put images on archival CD's without difficultiesl, but also do use a lot of DVD's in the same manner (to give to friends or clients) and I never experienced a difference in how the computer handled a CD in comparison to a DVD.

Picdude Loc: Ohio

Mogul, I have absolutely no experience with any of the software in the links below, but they appear to perform as you are asking. Give them a look, they are all freeware.

http://www.converterlite.com/convert-cd/?utm_source=bing&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=cd-converter&utm_term=cd%20converters

http://www.download3000.com/download_20304.html

http://www.koyotesoft.com/audio-software/free-easy-cd-dvd-burner.html

nicksr1125 Loc: Mesa, AZ

Your MacBook must be CAPABLE of burning DVD's. The main difference between CD & DVD is capacity. Check the specs on the drive. I suspect you'll find it will READ DVD's but only BURN CD's. Consider an external DVD burner if you have a connection and then consider some of the above software.

BHC Loc: Strawberry Valley, JF, USA

Thank you all for your responses. The programs that are listed are Windows programs, and I have a Mac. I may have to dig out my windows computer(s) and that will mean clearing sone room.

I have no problem burning CDs, but when I insert a DVD, the computer will not recognize it for the purpose of burning, although I have never had a problem reading a DVD. Depending on which DVD I use, I can copy files to them, but it is a much slower process than burning a CD. At times, I have had to format the DVD in order to have it accept anything. At other times, I can copy the files (they appear in Finder and/or Windows Explorer), but I cannot open them, either in my computer or on the one Windows computer to which I have access.

It appears that I will have to save my DVDs and buy a supply of CDs. If I buy rewritable CDs, at least my family can download my photos, delete the files and send other pictures to me. I would like to send DNG or TIF files, but have been sending medium resolution JPG files to enable me to include a bunch of pictures. I have, at the request of two of the three families to which I send pictures, always sent all except the very worst images, but maybe I will have to become more selective with the number of files I send.

wisner Loc: The planet Twylo

I used to have problems with my 2006 iMac burning DVDs; never worked half the time. I bought an external Apple DVD drive for my new iMac but don't use it much.
Here's a thought: you could buy several jump drives (they are pretty inexpensive) and use those rather than DVDs. The fact that Apple no longer has built in CD/DVD burners tell you where they believe file storage is headed. Jump drives can be used over again, are reliable, and read/write much faster.
Also, Dropbox is a nice way to share files; you get 2 GB for free and if someone you invite to a folder installs it, you get an additional 500 MB, free. Again, an alternative to CDs/DVDs.

Peterff Loc: O'er The Hills and Far Away, in Themyscira.

Others may have better knowledge, but CD players burners do not recognize the DVD formats and generally cannot be upgraded.

DVD players and burners can generally read and burn both DVD and CD formats, but can't do BluRay etc.

This is generally referred to as "backwards compatibility".

If your MAC has a CD burner, but not a DVD capable device then you will not be able to use DVD media.

I do not know if MACs have DVD readers that will burn CDs but not to DVDs. That sounds a little odd.

Does your software have a burn to DVD command, 'cos if you have DVD media, then you need a device and software that burns DVDs. Who ever you send it to would need a DVD reader, not just a CD reader.

Does that make sense? Perhaps if you are more explicit about your Macbook Pro model numbers others may have some insight.

Good luck.

BHC Loc: Strawberry Valley, JF, USA

1⃣ When a DVD is inserted, it opens like files an a peripheral; burning to a DVD of any kind can only be accomplished by C&P.

2⃣ No, the operating system and programs have "Burn to CD" options only. When a DVD is inserted, it opens like files an a peripheral; burning to a DVD of any kind can only be accomplished by C&P.

3⃣ Yes, your questions make sense. My MacBook Pro is an Intel-powered unit with no modification. It is a 2008 or 2009 model, the first that was CRC machined from a single block of aluminum. Early next year, I plan to have the RAM upgraded from 2 to whatever the maximum is. I also plan to have the HDD upgraged to the largert SSD available. I run OS X (Maverick. I have increased VMWARE from 3% to 10% and occasionally 20%. I keep the current HDD lean and mean by frequent removal of programs not in use and unneeded duplicates, e-mails, and frequent emptying of thr Trash Can. Every 30 minutes, the entire HDD (except programs for which I have disks and pictures) is backed up to one other two500 go WD My Passport, I for pictures, the other for everything else. My RAID system is being rebuilt to a 10X array, 4 for the programs, etc., 4 for pictures, one for taxes and another swappable drive for general purposes, including picture editing. I will probably have 15 to 20 separate drives to facilitate off-site storage.

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

Right. It sounds like he does not have a DVD burner. I put most things on DVDs because of the difference in capacity. An external burner would be the way to go. For $27, it's a bargain.

http://www.macmall.com/n/Best-External-DVD-Drive-Mac/macMainMenu-2286?q=macMainMenu-2286

Peterff Loc: O'er The Hills and Far Away, in Themyscira.

Hopefully a Mac expert can help. Have you exhausted the Google responses like this: http://www.macworld.co.uk/how-to/mac/how-burn-cd-dvd-or-blu-ray-disc-mac-3456274/

Good luck.

zigipha Loc: north nj

as i read this...the only thought that come to my mind is "frigging mac".

never had any problems with the many pcs i have had.

not sure why you say you can't "burn photos" but you can "copy files".....both seem to be the same.

or get an external burner and start again

or use a file sharing site

if you use cds - most pics are 1-2M jpgs so you have ~300 pics per cds.

how about a USB stick? lots of Gs on that and you can mail it back and forth.

do you expect the photos on the DVD to be playable on a regular dvd player to the tv? thats a whole nuther route.

tradergeorge Loc: Newport, Kentucky

Your problem appears to be that the drive you have is a DVD ROM....It is capable of reading DVDs, reading and burning CDs, but NOT burning DVDs. Your choices are to either replace the drive with a DVD burner, or resign yourself to using CDs for the purpose of burning. If your motive is just to make use of the DVD media you have, it is probably worth the $50-$80 it would cost for the drive, assuming you are able to install and configure it yourself...If you have to pay to have it done, that price rises a lot.

SNicker317 Loc: North NJ

Go to "About This Mac" under the Apple in top left corner, then to " Storage", then at bottom of pop up screen it will tell you your CD and DVD capabilities.

SNicker317 Loc: North NJ

You can always just copy the files from the DVD then burn files to a CD, just will take more of them.

Royalruler Loc: Rancho Cucamonga

Use the free parts of Dropbox and box.com and let them copy them off to their computer. Then remove them and put some new ones on.