From the final cut to DVD

[Michael Pyon]

Hi there

I know that I started a thread with a similar question, but I haven't really gotten any answers that will fit my needs. With the Sundance deadline only a month away, I want to know what would be the best way to compress and burn an exported MOV file out of Avid onto a DVD. I have heard that mpeg2 is the best format for DVD's and would IDVD be suffiecient enough for Sundance? Making DVD's for distribution is something I'm really inexperienced with and I would appreciate any advice at all.

Keep in mind that I'm working on a PC but I can easily take the file onto a mac if need be.

Thanks so much,
Michael Pyon

[Gavin Greenwalt]

MPEG2 is not only the best format for DVDs. It's the only format that a standard DVD will accept.

[Brad Webb]

If it's a shortfilm you can just drop your hi-rez master into iDVD and it will convert it for you. You can adjust the quality in the preferences and make sure you turn off the apple logo from the menu. I'd use a super simple menu with the title of your film and a play button. If you export the master from Avid with a DnX codec you'll have to convert it or get the codecs and add them to the computer.

If it's a feature you should get the DVD professionally authored because you need to put it on a dual layer disc if you want it to look good. DVDs have a max of about 4.7 GB, and I think dual layer DVDs get around 7GB.

[Brandon Fraley]

My macbook pro doesn't have iDvd and I can't find any info on apple.com on how to acquire/purchase it. Did they implement it into another product or what?

-B

[jimhare]

It's part of iLife. Probably came free with your MBP but maybe an alternate install or something.

My macbook pro doesn't have iDvd and I can't find any info on apple.com on how to acquire/purchase it. Did they implement it into another product or what?

-B

[Brandon Fraley]

Are you sure? There's no reference made to it on the iLife website or on the iLife page in the app store.

-B

[John Swift]

have you tried a spotlight search of your mac cause i didnt think i had it and its just found it.

[Brandon Fraley]

Indeed. No iDVD in spotlight, and no place online I can find about apple selling or supporting it :/

-B

[John Swift]

what yr model is you mac?

[Brandon Fraley]

Last november, 2011.

-B