[MacDV] Buffer Underrun in iDVD

[Gordon Alley]

On Sun, 27 Feb 2005 04:02:27 -0500, AnonBilly <anonbilly at dockpoint.net> wrote:
> I am trying to burn a DVD project and am receiving the following error:
> 
> The recording device reported the illegal request:  Buffer underrun.
> (0x21, 0x02.)
> 
> I have searched the web, FAQs and when back thru 2 years of postings on
> this list and have had no luck.
> 
> I am using a 1 Ghz G4 with 2-120 GB hard drives (each with 20+ GBs to
> spare) 2 GB RAM.  I am running OS 10.3.8 (Tried the burn once with
> 10.3.4 before the upgrade)  I have iDVD 4.0.1 and iMovie 4.0.1.  I am
> using Sony DVD-Rs that are 1x-4x compatible.  I have had success
> burning a small project with iDVD and burning back-up movies with Toast
> 6.
> 
> After making my 3rd coaster, I noticed that the flaw always occurs
> between 21:46:01 and 21:50:07 of the largest iMovie import.  (Not sure
> that matters.)  The video stops playing at that point while the sound
> continues.
> 
> I have tried:
> 
> Turning the Energy Saver to Never.
> Turning off the Screen Saver.
> Quitting all other applications (and leaving the computer alone.)
> Restarting iDVD and the computer.
> Cleaning the superdrive.
> 
> The only things I have not tried are to recreate the project, as it is
> a large project (lots of short clips) and buying 1x only DVDs.
> 
> Thanks in advance for your help!
> --
> Billy M

Here's something else you can try.

You mentioned that you've tried quitting other apps. But this may
leave background processes running.

Log out, and then log back in while holding down the SHIFT key (start
holding it down just before hitting the ENTER key at the end of the
password, and keep holding it until the desktop appears and disk
activity has stopped). This keeps unnecessary startup items form
launching, so your Mac will have just about the minimum amount of
other activity going on while you try to encode and burn your DVD.

-- 
Gordon B. Alley
http://galley.home.texas.net