How to Make a DVD

To make a DVD that can play in a consumer DVD player, you need to master it in iDVD.

1. Export a full quality Quicktime file from FCP.
-Go to File>Export>Quicktime Movie.
-Title your exported project.
-Current settings is fine, just make sure that "Make Movie Self Contained" is checked.

2. Open iDVD.

3. Create a new project (make sure the Aspect Ratio is Standard 4:3 or Widescreen, however you shot your footage), and save it in the Movies folder (or your personal folder).

4. Click the Themes button (lower right), and change '6.0 Themes' to 'All' (upper right).

5. Scroll down and choose a theme for your DVD by clicking on it. The longer rectangles are widescreen, so you if you shot standard you need to pick one of the smaller ones. I recommend choosing the Portfolio B&W or Portfolio Color themes -- nice and simple. These directions are specifically for using the Portfolio B&W or Portfolio Color themes.

6. Drag your full quality QuickTime file into the theme window.

7. To adjust the size and shape of the movie button, click on Buttons (lower right). You'll see the shape options at the top, and you can adjust the text label with the options below that. To adjust the picture on the button, click on it once, and move the slider above until you get to the frame you want. This is what people will see in your DVD menu.

8. To move or adjust the title on the top, just click and drag it, or click on the text. Then click on Menu (lower right) to change the font. If you want to make a new one, or an additional one, hit Apple + K on your keyboard.

9. Below the main window are 3 buttons: Motion (man walking), Preview (play button), and Map View (folders). Make sure that Motion is turned off (it should be white, not blue). This keeps the movie in your button from playing, and leaves it on a still frame -- less burn time.

10. Click the Preview button, to see how your DVD will look and sound. Make sure you have the right movie, and everything is working. When you are done, click the Exit button.

11. Check the prefereneces. Go to iDVD-->Preferences. Choose Video Mode: NTSC, and Encoding: Best Quality. Close the dialogue box.

12. Congratulations -- you are ready to burn. Click on the circle to the right of the volume slider, and insert a blank DVD-R DVD (you MUST use DVD-R DVDs). Wait for the computer to get ready, then click burn. Your burn time can take 20 minutes or more, so be prepared to wait. Once it's finished, test your DVD in another computer before you make more. If it works, it's a good idea to make more DVDs right away -- the next one you burn will take about 1/4 of the time, since the file does not need to be encoded again.

**We have a had problems with Fuji DVD-R DVDs in these drives, so I recommend TDK or Memorex. All DVDs are not the same, cheaper is NOT better, buy a known brand.**