Macworld Forums

Hi

Not being familiar with this process i was wondering what software i need to convert video files to DVD using a Mac, movie etc. I've already got (Im TOO DVD Copy) and (MacTheRipper) but for the latter i need a converter no?

Sorry pretty new to this

Thanks.

musicmad,

if your Mac has a DVD burner built in ( aka SuperDrive ), it should have come with the application iDVD, which allows you to make great DVDs from video files. It integrates very smoothly with iMovie, so using the two together give you lots of possibilities.

Hi Alan thats correct, i have a DVD burner and the application iDVD. Are you saying then i don't need to install another application to convert video files to DVD? but rather iDVD will do it all for me

musicmad,

it depends on the format that your video files are in.

Basically if iMovie will read those files, or if QuickTime will play them, then iDVD can burn them to DVD.

My preferred option is to use iMovie initially to tidy up the files and then import them into iDVD.

If you're trying to copy commercial DVDs, you may run into problems because the copyright holders obviously don't want you do do that, so they do whatever they can to make it difficult.

AlanAudio,

No not commercial DVDs movies downloaded from networks that kind of thing. Will either iMovie or iDVD convert these kind of files to DVD? So as to burn them to disc.

Sorry pretty new to this.

musicmad,
you need to get a DVD burner, not a mac video converter software. Apple iDVD may help you.

musicmad,
simply import them directly into iDVD. If it will load them, you will then be able to progress to the point where you can burn a DVD.

It's hard to give a definitive answer without knowing the type of file that you're planning to use, but trying it yourself within iDVD is very quick.

If you're unsure about how to use iDVD, there are some excellent on-line tutorials available. A simple Google search should come up with a good selection of them and you can see which ones best suit your needs.

AlanAudio,

There are many responses here and it's getting complexed I'll try to be as discreet as possible.

I downloaded a movie in AVI format and I'm trying to burn it to disc to watch on DVD.

Do i need a video converter or will a burner do it all in one?

I have "Im Too DVD Copy" which rips and burns in one.

If it's only the converter i need?

Could i then transport the converted files in to" Im Too DVD Copy" and burn to disc?



Did the iDVD thing, didn't work.

Sorry for the confusion, i know your all trying to help.

musicmad,

I said earlier that it will depend on the format that those videos are in. If you had said at the outset that they were in Microsoft's AVI format, then I would not have suggested using iDVD directly as they are video files in a proprietary format.

If you wish to use iDVD, you will need to convert those files to a standard format. There are many format converters available, some are free and others are paid for. As with most thing that Microsoft does, there are many variants of AVI, so some format convertors may work with your particular file and others may not.

The free version of VLC is an excellent tool for playing non-standard video files, but you may need to find something else to convert those files for subsequent DVD burning.

AlanAudio,

You've recommended VLC for playing back video files, great. what free Mac video converter would you suggest?

musicmad,

I don't know what to suggest because I've never needed a video file convertor. Everything I burn to DVD is original material that I create myself, so therefore I don't have issues with non-standard formats.

Ok, will take it from there. Thanks to everyone for all your help.

Mm.