Burning Dreamcast Games On a Mac

This is a how to for burning .cdi and .nrg game files on a Macintosh computer using Toast and CDIrip

@Dreamcast

Published in 

Dreamcast

 · 3 Mar 2021

This guide is for Macintosh users who wish to burn Dreamcast games.

This method of burning games was developed using the following hardware and software.

Hardware:

• Macintosh G4 Power PC 700 Mhz Single Core
• Pioneer DVD-RW DVR-106D (aka superdrive)
• any cheap 700 mb cd-r disk you can find. I have been using Staples store brand, got em cheap.

Software:

• Mac OS X 10.4.11
• Stuffit Expander (unknown version any should work)
• CDIrip 0.6.2
• Toast 7 Titanium 7.1.2 version 7.1.1 won't work

This guide is organized into 3 sections. The first section is the general method used and should be helpful to users with slightly different hardware or software. The second is the step by step process I use to burn disks. This will work for the hardware and software specified above every-time, No coasters. The only 2 failed attempts were due to my own error. I failed to leave the disk open for multi-session writing. The third section no one will read. It's all the other crap like my email address and other BS.

General Method:
First off there are two different file types I have used, CDI and NRG. I have not been able to make an NRG file self bootable but the utopia boot disk works. I suggest using a CDI if available they work every time. I haven't tried the .bin/cue or any other file types yet.

CDI files
After downloading the CDI file you must un-stuff it. Once the file is uncompressed you will have a cdi file. You can't use this file, it must be converted to an iso for use with toast. I use CDIrip which is easy to find and free to download. The cdi file rips into 2 different files. Usually 1 audio file and one data file, however sometimes you get 2 data files. Either one is fine. If you get 1 audio and 1 data file open Toast and burn the audio file first. Make sure you chose write session NOT write disk. You have to be able to write the data file afterwards. I set Toast to write DAO audio but I'm not sure if this matters. After the audio file completes you need to mount the data file to the desktop and use the disk copy function of toast to copy the mounted .iso to the same disk you recorded the audio file on. Choose write disk for this file as it is the last one to be written. You're done.
If you wind up with 2 data files the process is nearly the same. Mount the first file and disk copy it. Be sure to leave the session open. Mount the second data file and disk copy it to the same disk as the final session. That's it.

NOTE: I have found cdi files on sites other that dcisozone that converted into several audio files and one data file. I can't make these work as of now. I have not found any of these on dcisozone yet. If you can make these work email me with the specifics and I will update this guide.

NRG Files
Un-stuff the compressed file. It will become an NRG disk image. Toast will read this file. Open Toast mount the NRG image and disk copy it all as one file to the cd-r. Choose write disk NOT write session as this is the only file to be written. These do not self boot even if the game is a self boot game. You can download self boot games and burn them like this but you will have to use the utopia boot loader to play them. I do not know how to make these self boot.

This general method of burning the audio then mounting and copying the data file should work on most setups, the exact procedure may change though.

Step By Step Instructions

These instructions will work with my specific setup every time. Your process will differ slightly if you are using different software. This method works every-time on the setup described above, no coasters.

CDI files with one audio and one data file:

1. Download your game. It will be a compressed .rar file. Wait for it to finish downloading before you try to un-stuff it.
2. Double-click the .rar file you downloaded. It will unstuff into one of two file types. .cdi or .nrg please see the third set of instructions for NRG files.
   
3. Convert the .cdi to .iso with CDIrip 0.6.2. Open CDIrip and click the rip button. Choose a location for the new file and click the choose button. This will take a minute so don't get impatient. CDIrip will display a message when the process is complete. When it is finished close CDIrip.
   
4. At this point you will have 2 files. 1 audio (.aiff) and one data (.iso). If you have 2 data files don't worry just go to the instructions for CDI files with 2 data files step number (5) and you'll be OK.
   
5. Open Toast and click the audio tab
   
6. Drag the audio file into the window or choose add audio and pick the file.
   
7. Click the big red burn button
   
8. Set write speed to best
   
9. Click the advanced tab so you can change burn settings.
   
10. Click the write session radio button NOT WRITE DISK. This setting automatically resets to write disk when Toast is closed.
    
11. Make sure write audio as DAO is selected NOT TAO. This setting will stay selected until you change it.
    
12. Click the record button at the bottom right of this window and wait.
    
13. When the file is finished writing a window will pop up asking you what to do with the disk. Choose mount disk. At this point iTunes usually opens and wants to import the audio. Click cancel in iTunes and shrink it. If you close iTunes it will open itself again so just shrink it or put it out of your way.
    
14. Click the copy tab with 2 disks on it in Toast
    
15. Click mount disk image in the utilities menu.
    
16. Choose the data file that was created when you ripped the cdi file. It's usually named tdata01.iso
    
17. In the Toast window on the read from dropdown list choose the image you just mounted. It will not be named tdata01.iso. It is usually named after the game. It shows up on your desktop with a disk icon just like you put a disk in the drive if you need to look for the name but it should be obvious in the drop down menu.
    
18. Click the big red button
    
19. Click the advanced tab
    
20. Click the write disk radio button NOT WRITE SESSION
    
21. Click the record button and wait
    
22. When Toast has finished recording you will be presented with three options verify mount and eject. Choose eject to get your disk back. The disk will not verify, it will show errors. It is not a valid mac disk but will play fine on the dreamcast. You are done now be proud, you've done something I was told couldn't be done.
    

CDI Files with 2 data files

1. Download your game. It will be a compressed .rar file. Wait for it to finish downloading before you try to un-stuff it.
2. Double-click the .rar file you downloaded. It will unstuff into one of two file types. .cdi or .nrg please see the third set of instructions for NRG files.
   
3. Convert the .cdi to .iso with CDIrip 0.6.2. Open CDIrip and click the rip button. Choose a location for the new file and click the choose button. This will take a minute so don't get impatient. CDIrip will display a message when the process is complete. When it is finished close CDIrip.
   
4. At this point you should have 2 files that end in .iso
   
5. Open Toast and click the copy tab with the two disks pictured on it.
   
6. Click mount disk image in the utilities menu
   
7. Choose the first data file you created from your cdi it's probably called tdata01.iso.
   
8. You will also have one called tdata02, don't mount it yet it gets confusing if you do.
9. In the read from dropdown list choose the image you just mounted. It will not be named tdata01.iso. It is usually named after the game. It shows up on your desktop with a disk icon just like you put a disk in the drive if you need to look for the name but it should be obvious in the drop down menu.
   
10. Click the big red button
    
11. Click the advanced tab
    
12. Click the write session radio button NOT WRITE DISK
    
13. Click the record button and wait
    
14. When the disk is finished recording choose mount NOT EJECT your not done yet.
    
15. Click mount disk image in the utilities menu just like before only this time choose the second data file.
    
16. In the read from dropdown list choose the image you just mounted. This may be a little confusing now since there are so many choices. It's always the one that ends in the highest number usually 2.
    
17. Click the big red button to begin recording.
    
18. Again go to the advanced tab only this time choose write disk NOT WRITE SESSION.
    
19. Click the record button and wait.
    
20. When Toast has finished recording you will be presented with three options verify mount and eject. Choose eject to get your disk back. The disk will not verify, it will show errors. It is not a valid mac disk but will play fine on the dreamcast. Yaay you've got games.
    

NRG or Nero Disk Image Files

Please not that I try to stay away from nero files if possible. You can usually find the cdi version of the same game. I can't get nero files to self boot on my mac if there is a way I don't know it. Even the self boot nero images require a boot disk from utopia. I don't know why if you know a fix for this please email me and I will update this guide. That being said if you don't mind using a boot disk these are very easy to burn.

1. Download your game. It will be a compressed .rar file. Wait for it to finish downloading before you try to un-stuff it.
2. Double click the .rar file and choose a location to unstuff it.
   
3. Open Toast and click the copy tab with the 2 disks pictured on it.
   
4. Click mount disk image in the utilities menu
   
5. Choose the nrg file that you just un-stuffed. It will mount to the desktop and show up as a disk as if you put it in the cd drive.
   
6. In the read from dropdown list choose the image you just mounted. It will not be named the same as the nrg file. It is usually named after the game. It shows up on your desktop with a disk icon just like you put a disk in the drive if you need to look for the name but it should be obvious in the drop down menu.
   
7. Click the big red burn button. A window will open that allows you to change the burn settings.
   
8. Choose best write speed
   
9. Click the advanced tab.
   
10. Choose write disk NOT WRITE SESSION this is the only file to be copied.
    
11. Make sure DAO is selected NOT TAO.
    
12. Click record and wait.
    
13. When Toast finishes recording you are done. Click eject to get your disk back.
    
14. Put the Utopia boot loader in your dreamcast.
    
15. When the reindeer pops up swap to your newly made game disk and have fun.
    

THESE DO NOT SELF BOOT EVEN WHEN THE MAKER OF THE FILE CLAIMS THEY WILL. YOU MUST USE A BOOT DISK EVEN FOR SELF BOOT GAMES. Sorry I don't know of a way around this. If you do please share.

Other Crap

WWW.dcisozone.com now owns this guide I have given it to them you can not copy and publish it on your site without their permission.
I wrote this guide for them alone to make a small contribution to their operation since they have done so much for me.

There are two reasons I created this guide. First, when I started burning games with a Mac I couldn't find any help at all. PC users have a ton of support but we poor Mac folk are a little short in the gaming department. I had to figure all of this out through trial and error, ouch. But the upside is I have plenty of shiny little coasters to put drinks on. I think the world has enough places to set a drink so I aim to prevent you from making any. Second, I felt a little guilty. Yeah guilty. I downloaded a ton of games from this site and gave them nothing in return. Bad Karma man, I don't need that. Since I'm fairly broke all the time I decided to contribute in other ways, mainly by writing this guide and posting comments on games. I suggest you do the same. Nothings free. Really you can sign up for an account that allows you to upload and post without spending any cash. It won't let you download any faster but at least you won't feel like a scab. Contribution is what keeps a community alive, and if you don't put something back into it your just dead weight like a bum living in a box that wants everyones spare change. Don't be that guy. OK I'll climb down from my soap-box and quit preaching now.

If you have any suggestions on how to improve this guide please feel free to contact me.
If you have questions about something this guide does not cover ask some one else I don't know. sorry
If you know something I don't please tell me and I'll add it in.
If you are using a PC your in the wrong place try another guide.
If you are using a MAC good for you and glad I could help.
If you want to chit chat about mindless crap send me an email with the subject "mindless crap" I'll read it when I get bored.
If you want to sell me something your barking up the wrong tree, I'm broke.
If you want to give me something I'll think about it.
If you want me to send you games I won't. Download them from www.dcisozone.com
If you want to send me games upload them to www.dcisozone.com and tell me about it.
If you need help understanding this guide don't ask me I put it as clearly as I could.
If this guide didn't help you, sorry I tried. Don't whine about it at least you have a guide.
If your a spammer GO DIE SLOWLY but don't contact me about it.

That being said here is my email sixmilliondollarturk@gmail.com
This is a free email and I will shut it down if it gets abused. It won't hurt my feelings.

This file was written by MacBurner for use only on WWW.DCISOZONE.COM If you want to use it ask them not me. They own it. I gave it to them.

This file was last updated on Friday February 5, 2010