My Macbook specs: Core Duo (not C2D), 2 gigs, and superdrive that came with that model (I don't know which one), fully updated (including the latest firmware upgrade from Apple).

I think one of the true tests of an optical drive's error correction is the ability to read disks from Netflix. I am using my Macbook as my primary DVD player. I am outputting from the digital port to an HDTV.

The disks have to be in PRISTINE condition for the drive to read them. Any blemish sends the video crashing.

Compared to my Windows gamer, which will read anything. However it is a desktop, with an NEC drive in it. Do not want to get it in the living room. So now I have to rip on the gamer and transfer over the network to play movies, if I really want to see that title.

Is there a better way given what I got? Is there a better way spending just a little more?

Like get an external drive and connect via firewire? If so, which drive?

Is the drive in the current Mac Book Pros (santa rosa) better?

I'd much rather NOT get a standalone DVD player, seems like a waste. Also I like ripping the disks to the drive and playing. Smoother playback.

Advice?

I have found very few Netflix/Blockbuster discs that my PowerMac G5, G4 mini, or Core Duo mini could not rip with MacTheRipper. I would imagine that the core duo mini's and the core duo macbooks use similar drives. I don't rent many of the popular titles from either of those companies. So maybe I've had better luck with my rentals, or maybe the types of films I rent haven't been abused by the masses.

You could try booting into Windows on the macbook and ripping the dvd's. That would give you some indication whether the problem is software or hardware related.

Andrew67 is right. The only other advice I can give is that new releases (the week they're released) are your best bet. That way you won't have to rip them.

I posted this on Hard, and discovered that indeed the original Core Duo Macbooks were shipped with Matsushita POS drives. Newer models have better drives, but not by much.

Maybe time to do surgery?>

I posted this on Hard, and discovered that indeed the original Core Duo Macbooks were shipped with Matsushita POS drives. Newer models have better drives, but not by much.

I believe I have the same drive in my Core Duo mini and I've never had an issue ripping DVD's.

I believe I have the same drive in my Core Duo mini and I've never had an issue ripping DVD's.

Doubtful. After doing more research the 9.5 mm drive was used in the Core Duo MB and 15 MBP.

All others had enough space to accommodate the standard 12.7 mm drive (including mini, and the 17 inch MBP).