How to make an .iso image (standard cdrom image; usefull for cloning):
Open Terminal (Applications > Utilities folder) and run the following
commands (i.e. type the text in quotes and hit return):
- "diskutil list", noting the "/dev/disk" and number associated with the optical drive device (i.e. look for the name of the disk you inserted, which should be under and indented something like "/dev/disk2"); but also, note the IDENTIFIER (if copying a cd); e.g. "disk2s3"
- "diskutil unmountDisk /dev/disk2" (or replace "2" with the appropriate number
- "dd if=/dev/disk2s3 of=filename.iso bs=2048" (and wait; i.e. go do something); or, just use "/dev/disk2" for the input file if you are burning a dvd; i.e. omit the slice number; and note, the output file will go in whatever current directory you are in; i.e. change directory first or put something like "of=~/Desktop/filename.iso"
- "diskutil eject /dev/disk2" to eject the cdrom
- and if you want to burn that new .iso back onto a cd/dvd, run "hdiutil burn filename.iso" (and put in a blank disk when prompted and wait; i.e. go do something, will eject when done)
If you are looking to copy a DVD movie using Windows, go for DVDshrink (taken from http://www.softpedia.com/progDownload/DVD-Shrink-Download-4128.html). It's simple: install it, run it, "open disk" button and pick your dvd (and wait a bit to let it scan the disk), then pick "no compression" in the drop down menu (or leave it "automatic" if you only have single-layer dvds, which is a super nice feature of this program), then "backup" button and save it as a .iso file (a.k.a. single file on your disk) and wait. Then right click on the new file and select burn (and if you have an older OS like XP, you'll hopefully have dvd burning software that came with your computer or drive--if not, go somewhere like download.com and search for "burn iso" (note: for all download.com searches, look for lots of stars and "total downloads" and free!); e.g. "imgburn").