iDVD-Does anyone have experience with it

[Gary S]

I installed iDVD thinking I could cut a DVD of my 3gigs of graphics files. My graphics file are all located in one folder with subfolders inside it, containing all the different catagories of graphics stuff.

I fired up iDVD and tried to make a DVD on my superdrive. It won't let me select the folder. It seems it wants me to have everything in iPhoto, which I don't use, nor do I want to.

Can't i just cut a DVD with files on it bypassing iPhoto?


TIA

[Gary S]

I just thought I'd include this link for anyone willing to interpret it.

Apple iDVD page

From the page: "Save your original photos
Want to add your original photos to your DVD? With a single click, tell iDVD to include your original, hi-resolution digital photos with your DVD when you create a slideshow. You can play this DVD in most regular DVD players, but now when you place the same DVD in your Macintosh, or any other DVD-capable computer, you’ll have access to all the full-quality photos for printing, emailing to friends and family, or adding to your iPhoto library.

In addition to adding photo originals to your discs, iDVD lets you include many other kinds of data files, including AppleWorks, Word, PowerPoint and Excel files, as well as URL links to a DVD-ROM folder that can be accessed by any computer — Mac or PC. So that in addition to watching your DVD on their TV, your family and friends can also put your DVD disc in their computer and access the original photos or extra files you’ve included."

[Gary S]

Here I am talking to myself again.....

I found the answer. You don't use iDVD to burn data DVDs.

I found this at the Apple fourm:

You don't use iDVD to generate a data DVD. When I insert a blank DVD into the burner, my system will ask me if I want to format it. I give it a name and say OK. Once the DVD appears on your desktop, drag any folders you want to backup onto it. When you're done adding files, click-drag the DVD onto the former Wastebasket that normally would change to a Eject button but in this case should have changed into a Burn button and release. Confirm the Burn request and you're off and running. I do this to back up video projects, my web site, and other files all the time.

If your system doesn't ask you to format your DVD, check the Preferences someone mentioned earlier:

System Preferences>Hardware: CDs & DVDs then "When you insert a blank DVD: Ask what to do"

Anyways....everyone have a nice weekend!  

[kelly]

Thanks for the information Gary.

I have a SuperDrive but haven't burned a DVD yet.

Or used iDVD. Or watched a DVD.

Some day.

Have a nice weekend your own self.

[Gary S]

Kelly,

I used the DVD that came with my machine. It was the first one I burned. Considering I put almost 4 gigs on it...it makes a pretty good darn backup! All files and folders..all data.

I came out very well and it took about 3 hours on my 933.
 

[Bill]

Gary.
Have you tried burning dvds using toast titanium?
Will knock that three hours down to less than an hour.

[Gary S]

I haven't Bill. I have Roxio Toast Titanium 5.2. Will that work with OS10.2.6?

What took the longest time was when you drag and drop the file on the DVD and then start to burn, it gathers all the information.

The burning time itself probably took 30 minutes or so.

Sure beats CD-Rs for backing up.

I'm going to go look for some Verbatim DVD-Rs today. what kind do you use?

The one Apple gave me with my machine didn't have a brand name on it but the recording surface was kind of a purpelish color.
I was reading on the Apple forums that people were having all sorts of problemos with certain disks, Memorex especially.

[Bill]

Toast

Plop what you want into the toast window is almost instantaneous (see above) Gary.

I've tried Verbatim DVD-Rs. To much of a hit and miss considering the cost comparison  between CD-Rs and DVD-Rs. Gave up (or didn't want to pursue it anymore) on Verbatim DVD-Rs.

Apples DVD-Rs has worked everytime and they're now cheep enough.
YET I don't use DVD-Rs much at all.
Verbatim CD-Rs data-life-plus do just fine 99.8% for my type of backing up/burning etc.

[Gary S]

I bought some Verbatim DVD-Rs today at Target. they had 3 for $6.99. The surface looks identical to the Apple ones.

[Bill]

I bought a package of Verbatim DVD-Rs at samsclub a looooong time ago.
Tried two. Nether worked. Returned them and bought apples someplace else.
I know I didn't really give the verbatims an honest test. Just didn't want to bother.

[swhitset]

Bill...

I can't say for sure, but the guys at the Apple store in Milwaukee tol me that the Apple DVD-Rs are made by Verbatim.

The Sam's Club here in Onalaska WI  sells Verbatim, But ONLY DVD+Rs (notice the "+" and not the "-").


I don't know if that was your problem or not. but I thought I would mention it.


Gary,  I second what Bill says about Toast.  Toast will make Burning a DVD as easy as Burning a CD and it will take about a half hour.

Steve

[Gary S]

Thanks guys. The Verbatims I bought are DVD-R and not DVD+R.

I paid $5.99 for a pack of three on sale at Target on sale.

Where do you by Apple DVD-Rs?

[kps]

So far I burned only one DVD...a video and photo slide show using iDVD, no data.

I used a Verbatim DVD-R 4.7gb For General. Reorder no. 94077

Worked great, I can even play it on my DVD player.

[Bill]

Bet you're correct on the "+" as opposed to "-" Steve.
Can't recall now what I bought from SamsClub.

Gary S, the only places I've found (well never really went out of my way to look) Apple DVD-Rs is frys, compusa and some small apple retail dealers around these here parts.
The '2X' go for $14.99 package of five.

[Bill]

Stopped at SamsClub. I was right (or you were right) on me picking up the Verbatim DVD + R disk instead of the Verbatim DVD - R disk.

Now the Sams here has small spindles of Verbatim DVD - Rs. 25/for <<get it in gear memory>> ... $37.64.?.