Apple Airplay allows wireless streaming of audio, video, and photos, together with related metadata between devices. With airplay, all of a sudden, your great photos, the perfect party mix and wonderful movies are on the big screen and the best speakers. (Read How to use AirPlay on iPhone or iPad and watch Amazon Prime on Apple TV using AirPlay)
In this article, I will show you how to immediately stream DVDs to your Apple TV with the help of AirPlay Mirroring.
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The problem with DVDs and Apple TV
Many people have a lot of DVDs (technically, the specification is called DVD-Video). You probably know the VIDEO_TS and AUDIO_TS folders with the VOB files. The problem is: This format is not compatible with your Apple TV and can't be streamed directly via AirPlay.
Solution 1: Rip DVD to Apple TV Ssd external hard drive for macbook air.
So you have to re-encode it first (for instance with Handbrake, an open source video transcoder).
And to cope with protected DVDs, you can turn to Pavtube DVDAid for Mac or BDMagic for Mac to help you easily convert DVD files to playback on Apple TV on Mac with just a few clicks so that you can play DVD freely without any external tool.
But since re-encoding takes some time, needs software & know-how and eventually some space on your hard disc, here is another solution.
Solution 2: Playing DVDs with AirPlayMac with DVD drive
Here's my hardware. Just a common Macbook Pro with the Superdrive (an external USB CD/DVD drive). But you can use any another Mac with DVD drive, as long as it is compatible with AirPlay Mirroring (Mac requirements for AirPlay Mirroring).
Apple DVD Player Software won't work
The first thing that comes into your mind is probably using the DVD Player Software that usually opens when you insert a DVD. But this won't work and will just show you the error message 'The viewer could not be moved to selected screen.' Why? Seems like a copyright thing that it's just not legally allowed and therefore suppressed by Apple.
AirPlay DVDs with VLC
When it comes to playing videos, in most cases VLC is the answer. Go to 'File > Open Disc…' in VLC and open your DVD. (Here is how to stream DVD to VOB for Playback on Mac via VLC, also you can sync iTunes video with VLC)
Enable AirPlay Mirroring and make sure that you see the VLC window on your TV. Double Click in the video window for fullscreen and start your movie. Here we go… video and audio is streamed to your TV.
Just in case if there are any performance troubles: Here are some Tips for improving AirPlay Mirroring Performance.
And what about the legal thing? Seems like the combination of open source software and French law helps us here because software is not recognised as patentable in France/EU (details see If VLC can ship a free DVD player, why can't Microsoft?)
I haven't tried this for Blu-Ray disc (because I neither have a drive nor discs) but I think this should work for Blu-Ray, too.
I would say that this is a great solution which will replace my Phillips DVD Player (saves some space in the living room). What do you think? Crazy, eh? Now, pass the popcorn, the movie's about to get really good…
Apple has begun to stop installing CD/DVD drives since the introduction of MacBook Air in January 2008. Later Apple discontinued manufacturing MacBook and iMac with optical drives in 2016 and mid-2011 respectively. With your new Mac devices, you are not able to run CDs or DVDs. For this purpose, you need to rely on external CD/DVD drives. Moreover, you need an external drive to import movies and music to iTunes. If you have got the latest MacBook or iMac (released after 2012 and 2016), you need to buy the best external CD/DVD drives.
Quick access:
#1. Apple USB SuperDrive
Apple claims that its USB SuperDrive has everything you need in an optical drive. With simplicity, this external drive has state-of-the-art technology. You can connect this SuperDrive with your MacBook Pro with Retina display, MacBook Air, iMac, or Mac mini with a single USB Type A cable, which is built into this SuperDrive.
The design of this drive is compact as it is slightly bigger than a CD case. You can carry this SuperDrive anywhere in your travel bag or laptop bag. Use this drive on your desk or tray table. Check out the compatible devices.
USP: Compact design
Check out on Apple
#2. VersionTECH
But since re-encoding takes some time, needs software & know-how and eventually some space on your hard disc, here is another solution.
Solution 2: Playing DVDs with AirPlayMac with DVD drive
Here's my hardware. Just a common Macbook Pro with the Superdrive (an external USB CD/DVD drive). But you can use any another Mac with DVD drive, as long as it is compatible with AirPlay Mirroring (Mac requirements for AirPlay Mirroring).
Apple DVD Player Software won't work
The first thing that comes into your mind is probably using the DVD Player Software that usually opens when you insert a DVD. But this won't work and will just show you the error message 'The viewer could not be moved to selected screen.' Why? Seems like a copyright thing that it's just not legally allowed and therefore suppressed by Apple.
AirPlay DVDs with VLC
When it comes to playing videos, in most cases VLC is the answer. Go to 'File > Open Disc…' in VLC and open your DVD. (Here is how to stream DVD to VOB for Playback on Mac via VLC, also you can sync iTunes video with VLC)
Enable AirPlay Mirroring and make sure that you see the VLC window on your TV. Double Click in the video window for fullscreen and start your movie. Here we go… video and audio is streamed to your TV.
Just in case if there are any performance troubles: Here are some Tips for improving AirPlay Mirroring Performance.
And what about the legal thing? Seems like the combination of open source software and French law helps us here because software is not recognised as patentable in France/EU (details see If VLC can ship a free DVD player, why can't Microsoft?)
I haven't tried this for Blu-Ray disc (because I neither have a drive nor discs) but I think this should work for Blu-Ray, too.
I would say that this is a great solution which will replace my Phillips DVD Player (saves some space in the living room). What do you think? Crazy, eh? Now, pass the popcorn, the movie's about to get really good…
Apple has begun to stop installing CD/DVD drives since the introduction of MacBook Air in January 2008. Later Apple discontinued manufacturing MacBook and iMac with optical drives in 2016 and mid-2011 respectively. With your new Mac devices, you are not able to run CDs or DVDs. For this purpose, you need to rely on external CD/DVD drives. Moreover, you need an external drive to import movies and music to iTunes. If you have got the latest MacBook or iMac (released after 2012 and 2016), you need to buy the best external CD/DVD drives.
Quick access:
#1. Apple USB SuperDrive
Apple claims that its USB SuperDrive has everything you need in an optical drive. With simplicity, this external drive has state-of-the-art technology. You can connect this SuperDrive with your MacBook Pro with Retina display, MacBook Air, iMac, or Mac mini with a single USB Type A cable, which is built into this SuperDrive.
The design of this drive is compact as it is slightly bigger than a CD case. You can carry this SuperDrive anywhere in your travel bag or laptop bag. Use this drive on your desk or tray table. Check out the compatible devices.
USP: Compact design
Check out on Apple
#2. VersionTECH
VersionTECH is one of the leading brands in manufacturing high-quality CD/DVD drives for Mac. The most useful feature on this drive is that there is no eject button. And you are not supposed to use any driver program or extra power supply as it can be powered by the USB port.
VersionTECH has created a stylish design that features a durable metal finish with an elegant silver lid. The ultra-slim drive is convenient to carry anywhere. Among other notable features, this drive boasts are embedded cable, premium wire drawing material, low noise, and high durability.
USP: Ultra-thin design
Check out on Amazon
#3. LG
LG is a renowned brand in the world of electronics. The brand has also manufactured top-notch accessories like power banks, Bluetooth headphones, keyboards, stylus and more. For your Mac, LG brings an ultra-slim DVD external drive. With its 8X DVD-R writing speed, you can quickly transfer data from your DVD or CD to your MacBook or iMac.
During the style evolution, LG's optical drive has achieved a new status from slimmer to the slimmest. The product occupies little space on your desk and delivers the best performance every time you insert a CD or DVD. Jump desktop 7 1 1 – remote desktop utility billing.
USP: Superior data protection
Check out on Amazon
#4. Cocopa
Apple Dvd Player App
With its high-speed interface of USB 3.0, Cocopa can quickly transmit your data at the maximum speed of 5GBPS. This makes Cocopa an excellent choice of marketing executives, who have to make presentations in offices. The strong fault tolerance gives a stable performance.
For fashion-forward users, Cocopa has used brushed texture shell that gives you a good touch feeling. With its small size, you can carry this portable DVD drive with your laptop anywhere.
USP: Stable performance
Check out on Amazon
#5. Gipow
Beating USB 2.0 and USB 1.0, Gipow has designed a USB 3.0 external drive for your Mac. Whether it is your movies, videos, or audio contents, you can quickly transfer everything to your Mac. If you don't want to transfer audio/visual contents, you can watch or listen to the contents directly from the drive.
This CD/DVD drive is compatible with multiple operating systems, apart from macOS. It's a plug-and-play drive you can install and use without any software or driver.
USP: Fashionable design
Check out on Amazon
#6. Rioddas
When I opened the package, I wondered there was no cable attached to this drive. Then I realized that the cable is smartly embedded at the bottom of this drive. This intelligent design can impress any user. This is the best portable drive for Mac owners, who have to travel extensively. The drive doesn't occupy space in your travel bag or laptop bag.
For better stability on any glossy surface, Rioddas has put a non-slip pad on the bottom. This non-slip pad prevents your drive from falling off your table or desk. The multi-functional CD/DVD drive can burn movies and music.
USP: Embedded cable design
Check out on Amazon
#7. ISKE
Unlike other external CD/DVD drives that show eject button, ISKE doesn't have that eject button. When you want to eject a CD or DVD from the drive, you can perform this action from your Mac.
ISKE's external drive boasts intelligent design as it offers embedded cable design; users should not underrate this feature as it can protect the cable and makes your drive more portable.
USP: No eject button
Check out on Amazon
#8. Botee
Botee has come up with a unique feature: voltage stabilization system. This system avoids high or low voltage lead. Thus, it can protect your computer from any damage. Bootee offers you free lifetime product warranty, 30-day product replacement or refund.
Universal compatibility of this drive enables it to work with multiple operating systems aside from macOS. This means you can smoothly transfer your data from Windows computer to Mac or vice versa.
Dvd Player For Apple Computer
USP: Voltage stabilization
Check out on Amazon
#9. ivkey
ivkey presents unique design in its external CD drive that works with USB 3.0 high-speed interface. For faster data transmission speed, use this product and achieve a maximum speed of up to 5GBPS. Pdf support software. Along with speed, you get stable performance and strong fault tolerance.
Ivkey has unparalleled intelligent burning technology and brand new chip to correct the errors. You can play your audio/visual contents without any log or distortion.
USP: Intelligent burning technology
Check out on Amazon
#10. VicTsing
VicTsing brings a multi-function external CD/DVD drive with which you can watch DVD movies, burn files, music, videos to another CD or DVD. You can also install software and create backup discs etc.
VicTsing offers robust anti-shock and noise-reduction technology. The drive consumes low power, and it can be powered by the USB port; you are not supposed to use any external adapter. Don't miss its slim and lightweight design, which provides a stylish appearance.
USP: Error-correction ability
Check out on Amazon
That's all!
Summing up…
Apple Compatible Dvd Player Portable
For smooth, hassle-free, fast, and secure transmission of your data, external CD/DVD drive is the best solution for your Mac. Note that you can buy any CD or DVD with maximum data storage capacity and then transfer your data from one computer to another.
You may also like to refer:
Which external CD/DVD drive would you like to buy for your Mac?
Jignesh Padhiyar is the co-founder of iGeeksBlog.com who has a keen eye for news, rumors and all the unusual stuff that happens around Apple products. Five nights at freddys free ios. During his tight schedule, Jignesh finds some moments of respite to share side-splitting contents on social media.
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