Apple iDVD at a Glance User Manual

Apple iDVD at a Glance manual cover
Pages 10
Year 2011
Language(s)
English en

Apple iDVD at a Glance Specification

Apple iDVD is a software application designed for Mac OS X that enables users to create DVDs with customized menus, themes, and interactive features. It offers a user-friendly interface that simplifies the DVD authoring process, allowing users to drag and drop video files into pre-designed templates. These templates can be further customized with a variety of themes, including motion menus and animated drop zones, to give a professional touch to personal video projects. iDVD supports a wide range of video formats, ensuring compatibility with various media types. The software includes a built-in media browser, allowing easy access to iPhoto libraries, iTunes playlists, and iMovie projects for seamless integration of multimedia content. Users can also incorporate slideshows and music to enhance the viewing experience. iDVD provides encoding options that automatically adjust the quality of the video to fit the available disc space, optimizing the balance between video quality and storage capacity. The software supports burning DVDs directly from the application, offering a straightforward process to produce DVDs that can be played on standard DVD players. Additionally, iDVD allows for the creation of disc images, enabling users to archive projects or burn additional copies at a later time. The program features a robust preview function, which lets users view the final product before burning, ensuring that all elements are correctly aligned and functional. Although Apple discontinued iDVD in 2011, it remains a popular tool for users who prefer a simple yet effective solution for DVD creation on older Mac systems.

Apple iDVD at a Glance F.A.Q.

How do I create a new DVD project in iDVD?

To create a new DVD project in iDVD, open the application and select 'Create a New Project' from the startup menu. Choose a theme and customize your project by adding videos and slideshows.

What are the steps to burn a DVD using iDVD?

After setting up your project, click the 'Burn' button. Insert a blank DVD when prompted, and iDVD will encode and burn your project onto the disc.

How can I troubleshoot if iDVD fails to burn a DVD?

Ensure your DVD drive is functioning and the blank disc is compatible. Check for sufficient hard drive space and try saving your project as a disc image to burn later.

Can I use iDVD to create a DVD from iMovie projects?

Yes, you can export your iMovie project to iDVD by selecting 'Share' in iMovie and choosing 'iDVD' as the destination. This will automatically open iDVD and import your project.

What should I do if iDVD crashes during the burning process?

Restart iDVD and your computer, check for software updates, and try burning the project at a lower speed or saving as a disc image first.

How do I customize menus in iDVD?

In iDVD, select the 'Customize' button to change the menu theme, add custom backgrounds, music, and adjust button styles to personalize your DVD's menu.

Is it possible to add subtitles to a DVD using iDVD?

Unfortunately, iDVD does not support adding subtitles directly. Consider using a third-party application to add subtitles before importing your video into iDVD.

How can I improve video quality when using iDVD?

Ensure your source video is of high quality, and select the 'Professional Quality' encoding setting in iDVD's preferences for better results, though it will take longer to process.

What file formats are supported by iDVD for video import?

iDVD supports QuickTime-compatible formats such as MOV, MP4, and DV. Ensure your videos are in these formats for smooth importing.

How do I save a project as a disc image in iDVD?

To save as a disc image, go to the 'File' menu, select 'Save as Disc Image'. This allows you to burn the project later or use third-party software to create a DVD.