Why can't is use iDVD to burn on a DVD-RW disk?

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Why can't is use iDVD to burn on a DVD-RW disk?

I 2012 I used iDVD to burn several slideshows and movies onto DVD-RW disks, and they all play just fine on my Sony DVD player. I now have a new project in iDVD but when I burned the movie it went through all of the steps and verified the disk; however, when I tried to open it on my Mac, it openedwith Libre Office. What on earth is going on? Must I use a DVD-R disk? I have several blank DVD-RW disks and would like to use them up. Thanks for any help you can provide.

iMac 21.5", OS X 10.11

Posted on Nov 16, 2019 8:30 AM

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Answer 1

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Old Toad

Level 10

210,609 points

Nov 16, 2019 9:12 AM in response to Calcharmac

Follow this workflow to help assure the best qualty video DVD:

Once you have the project as you want it save it as a disk image via the File ➙ Save as Disk Image menu option. This will separate the encoding process from the burn process.

To check the encoding mount the disk image, launch DVD Player and play it. If it plays OK with DVD Player the encoding is good.

Then burn to disk with Disk Utility at the slowest speed available (2x-4x) to assure the best burn quality. Always use top quality media: Verbatim, Maxell or Taiyo Yuden DVD-R are the most recommended in these forums.

-RW discs are not of a high enough quality needed for video DVDs. They are geared more for data discs. You can try burning at the slowest speed possible to provide the best burn possible.

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Answer 2

Calcharmac Author

Level 1

11 points

Nov 17, 2019 7:17 AM in response to Old Toad

Thanks, Old Toad, for all of your suggestions. After some more research, I've discovered that the m4v file I was attempting to add to my DVD project was the cause of my problem. I had created a slideshow on Photos using the Ken Burns theme. I then exported it and it became a m4v file; however, the DVDs I had produced in 2012 also used m4v files, and there was no problem. Has something changed in iDVD that will no longer allow the insertion of a movie? Is it possible to just burn the movie to a DVD-RW or DVD-R without using iDVD?

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Answer 3

Old Toad

Level 10

210,609 points

Nov 17, 2019 12:06 PM in response to Calcharmac

Calcharmac wrote:

Is it possible to just burn the movie to a DVD-RW or DVD-R without using iDVD?

You can but you won't be able to play it on a TV set. You need a video DVD authoring app to create a video DVD. If you're just using a video file then there are a number of DVD authoring apps available at the App Store. Some have demo versions (a watermark is added to the video) you can try before purchasing. The also will save to a disk image, iso or dmg. That way you can test the encoding before burning.

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Answer 4

Calcharmac Author

Level 1

11 points

Nov 18, 2019 5:37 AM in response to Old Toad

I followed your directions once again, but this time I used a brand new DVD-RW, and it worked! So, it seems it wasn't a problem with the video. Thank you so very much for your help. I'm now going to use up all those disks, and when it's time for new ones, I'll take your advice and get the DVD-R version.

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Why can't is use iDVD to burn on a DVD-RW disk?

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