Use CDs, DVDs, and Blu-rays on Mac - No Optical Drive Needed
Using Optical Discs with Modern Macs
Current models of Apple’s MacBook Air, as well as numerous other Mac computers, are now shipped without a built-in optical drive.
Despite this omission, utilizing CDs, DVDs, Blu-Ray discs, and other forms of optical media on your Mac remains entirely possible.
Methods for Optical Disc Access
The methods employed to achieve this functionality are comparable to those used when connecting an optical drive to a Windows UltraBook or a similar PC lacking an integrated drive.
Essentially, external solutions are required to read and write data from these disc formats.
- External USB Optical Drive: This is the most common and straightforward solution.
- Networked Optical Drive: Sharing an optical drive from another computer on your network is another option.
An external USB optical drive provides a direct connection, allowing your Mac to recognize and utilize the disc as if it were internally installed.
Networked drives offer convenience if a drive is already available on your local network, but performance may vary depending on network conditions.
Regardless of the chosen method, accessing optical media on a modern Mac is achievable with minimal effort.
Utilizing an External Optical Drive
Related: Network Sharing of CD & DVD Drives in Windows
For Mac users needing optical disc access, an external drive presents a viable solution. This involves purchasing a disc reader that connects to your Mac through a USB connection. These drives are capable of reading both CDs and DVDs, and many models also support Blu-Ray playback and disc burning functionality.
The Apple USB SuperDrive is a dedicated external drive offered by Apple. It connects via USB, providing both read and write capabilities for CDs and DVDs. However, it lacks Blu-Ray support, necessitating the selection of an alternative drive if Blu-Ray compatibility is required. Numerous third-party options are readily available from retailers like Amazon.
A significant advantage of this approach is portability. An external drive can be conveniently kept at a fixed location or transported with a laptop, offering optical disc support as needed.
Furthermore, if you operate multiple Macs, a single external drive can be easily connected to whichever machine you are currently using, providing consistent access to optical media.
Utilizing Remote Disc Sharing as an Alternative
Fortunately, accessing discs doesn't necessarily require purchasing an external drive. The integrated Remote Disc functionality provides a solution. A computer, either a Mac or a Windows PC, connected to your network can act as a server. Your Mac can then access discs inserted into this server machine.
The necessary server software is already included with macOS, simplifying the setup process. Apple also offers complimentary remote disc server software for Windows-based computers. Essentially, as long as another computer on your network possesses an optical drive, you can leverage it with your Mac.
Important Consideration: Apple clarifies that compatibility with the Remote Disc feature is limited for certain disc types. This encompasses DVD movies, audio CDs, discs with copy protection, operating system installation media, and blank discs intended for burning. This feature is specifically designed to grant access to files residing on data discs across a network within the macOS environment.
Setting Up the Server
Initially, you must configure the server on a remote computer equipped with a disc drive. If the computer you intend to share the drive from is a Mac, navigate to the Apple menu, then System Preferences, and select the Sharing icon. Activate the "DVD and CD Sharing" option within the Sharing list. (This option will only appear if the Mac has an internal or external optical drive.)
For a Windows PC, download and install the DVD & CD Sharing Update from Apple’s official website. Following installation, open the Control Panel, select Hardware and Sound, and then choose DVD or CD Sharing Options. Ensure the "Enable DVD or CD Sharing" checkbox is selected.
Accessing the Remote Disc
After enabling remote disc sharing on either a Mac or Windows computer, launch Finder on your Mac that lacks a disc drive. In the sidebar, click the "Remote Disc" option under Devices. This will display any Mac or Windows PC on your network currently sharing a disc.
You may be prompted to accept a request on the remote computer, depending on your network settings, before gaining access to its disc.
Remember to insert the disc into the remote drive *before* attempting to access it!
Troubleshooting the Absence of the Remote Disc Option
Should the Remote Disc option not be visible, first verify that both computers are connected to the identical local network. Firewall configurations can also obstruct the functionality of remote disc sharing. Confirm within your router’s settings that no isolation feature is activated, as this could impede communication between the computers.
When initiating disc sharing from a macOS system, navigate to System Preferences, select the Security & Privacy icon, and then access the Firewall tab. Confirm that the firewall is disabled, or, if active, ensure the remote disc sharing service is permitted through its settings.
If the disc is being shared from a Windows PC, it’s crucial to ensure that both the "ODSAgent" and "RemoteInstallMacOSX" processes are authorized within your firewall. The default Windows Firewall typically configures this automatically, but manual configuration may be necessary when utilizing third-party firewall software.
While not without potential drawbacks, remote disc sharing presents similar limitations to sharing a disc over a network on Windows systems. For complete access to all functionalities offered by an optical drive, acquiring and connecting an external disc drive directly to either a Mac or a Windows PC lacking an internal drive is required.
Image Source: bfishadow on Flickr, renatomitra on Flickr