One of our readers had given us an explanation on how to obtain some drive support for a third parity writer using the CD-burning function of "Disc Utility". We would like to recall this here now:
Start with creating a new folder within the Library folder (the first one from root, not the one within your own user folder) and name it "DiscRecording". And within this new created folder, create another one, "DeviceProfiles".
Further, using Text Edit, create a file containing the following text:
In this case, the file has been created in order to support the Lite-On DVD 811S drive.
To find out the exact values for make and product reference to modify for an other drive, launch "drutil info" using the terminal.
Copy exactly the values for make an product reference of the writer. The field related to DRDeviceDescription may be filled with random values or with the specifications of your drive.
Save the file as "name.drprofile" without any further extention as ".text" for instance.
Here is the link to the example file to spare you having to copy and type it again:
LDW-811.drprofile.sit
The writer will then be recognised but remain unsupported. In order to understand why, you need to know more about the support scheme in OS X:
- None: unsupported
- Unsupported: unsupported, but the burning engine will try to use the drive.
- VendorSupported: the drive has been tested by the manufacturer, not by Apple.
- AppleSupported: the drive has been tested by Apple.
- AppleShipping: the drive is supplied by Apple on some configurations.
Disc Utility can burn from "Unsupported" on.
iTunes however needs at least "VendorSupported". And the first trick explained here hence does not help here. Burning from iTunes with such a drive will therefore not be possible.
We have decided to work around this limitation, which may make some sense for Apple, but not for us. We succeeded.
1) Download the archive iTunes4allburner.sit.
2) Decompress it. You will find a file, "iTunes".
3) With CTRL+Clic (right-clic) above the iTunes application, select "show the paket content".
3) Open the folder "Content", then "MacOS". The file to replace is located there.
4) To make sure nothing gets wrong, rename the original before adding the one you just dowloaded.
5) Launch iTunes again and enjoy.
Note you must not create a profile in order to see the drive.
As you can see on this screenshot, iTunes does see the 811S. And accepted to burn some perfectly working audio CDs.
PS: For us, this means a real back to the roots. Our very first bidouille at Macbidouille made it possible to use an unsupported drive with iTunes 1.0.
Please note we should not be liable for any damages you may provoque editing your program files. For educational purposes only, to be use at your own risk.
