This article contains frequently asked questions (FAQ) regarding iDVD 1.0, with answers to those questions.

For the latest information on iDVD, please visit http://www.apple.com/idvd .

1. What is iDVD?
2. How do I get iDVD?
3. Can I play the DVDs I make with iDVD on the DVD player that's connected to my TV? What about on my computer's DVD player?
4. Which software applications from Apple allow me to author and encode DVDs on Macintosh computers?
5. In what ways do iDVD and DVD Studio Pro differ?
6. How do I prepare my movies and pictures for use in iDVD?
7. Can I use iDVD with other CD-R or DVD-R drives?
8. Does iDVD require special discs?
9. How much material can a single DVD disc hold?
10. Which operating systems support iDVD?
11. Is Dolby Digital AC-3 or Digital Theater Sound (DTS) supported by iDVD?
12. Can I set the region code?
13. Can I protect my disk from unauthorized copying?
14. Do I have to burn a disk to test my final product?

Question 1: What is iDVD?

Answer: iDVD is a software application from Apple that enables you to author desktop movies and still images, then write the project to a recordable DVD disc using an Apple DVD-R drive. With iDVD, you have simple-to-use tools for making DVD-Video discs on your Macintosh and a great way to share your movies and still pictures with anyone who has a DVD player.

Question 2: How do I get iDVD?

Answer: iDVD software comes installed in all Power Mac G4 computers that have a DVD-R/CD-RW drive.

Question 3: Can I play the DVDs I make with iDVD on the DVD player that's connected to my TV? What about on my computer's DVD player?

Answer: DVD discs created with iDVD on an Apple DVD-R drive are compatible with most standard set-top and computer-based DVD players.

Question 4: Which software applications from Apple allow me to author and encode DVDs on Macintosh computers?

Answer: Two software applications from Apple allow you to create DVD discs: iDVD and DVD Studio Pro. iDVD comes with all Power Mac G4 computers equipped with a DVD-R/CD-RW drive. It's a simple way for beginners to get started creating their own DVD discs. DVD Studio Pro is a stand-alone software package that offers additional, professional-level functionality.

Question 5: In what ways do iDVD and DVD Studio Pro differ?

Answer: iDVD provides the tools to create DVDs containing video and still images with simple menu navigation. Its drag-and-drop ease of use and predesigned themes make iDVD ideal for non-experts who want to get started creating DVD discs right away. DVD Studio Pro is a professional DVD authoring tool. It allows you to create DVD discs that include every feature outlined in the DVD-Video specification, with video, still images, audio, and even web links. DVD Studio Pro is most appropriate for projects that require motion menus, chapter markers, scripting, multiple languages, subtitles, Dolby Digital audio, and other advanced features. When it comes to burning DVD discs, iDVD 1.0 is designed to work only with Apple DVD-R drives currently available on select Power Mac G4 configurations. DVD Studio Pro can also be used on select Macintosh computers that don't have a DVD-R drive by using third-party DVD-R drives. Or you can prepare your files on digital tape or deliver your work on a portable hard drive so a DVD service bureau can create the discs for you.

Question 6: How do I prepare my movies and pictures for use in iDVD?

Answer: iDVD accepts movies in QuickTime format, which is supported by most video editing and creation tools. Still pictures can be any QuickTime-compatible format, such as PICT, TIFF, or JPEG. If you're using iMovie 2, there's even a special option to save your movie in the format that's correct for iDVD. In iDVD, movies are converted into MPEG format just before they are written to the DVD disc.

Question 7: Can I use iDVD with other CD-R or DVD-R drives?

Answer: No. iDVD 1.0 is designed to only work with Apple DVD-R drives, available on certain configurations of Power Mac G4 computers.

Question 8: Does iDVD require special discs?

Answer: iDVD and the Apple DVD-R drives use standard blank DVD discs, called DVD-R General. The General designation distinguishes these discs from those labeled Authoring. Authoring discs are used in professional DVD authoring drives.

Question 9: How much material can a single DVD disc hold?

Answer: A DVD-R disc can hold about 4.7 GB. This equates to about 60 minutes of high-quality video.

Question 10: Which operating systems support iDVD?

Answer: iDVD works with Mac OS 9.1 only.

Question 11: Is Dolby Digital AC-3 or Digital Theater Sound (DTS) supported by iDVD?

Answer: iDVD only supports audio formats playable in QuickTime. DVD Studio Pro supports Dolby Digital AC-3, but does not currently support DTS.

Question 12: Can I set the region code?

Answer: DVD-Videos discs created with iDVD will have set the region code such that the discs will be playable in all regions. If you are interested in setting region codes to specific regions, DVD Studio Pro offers that funtionality.

Question 13: Can I protect my disk from unauthorized copying?

Answer: iDVD does not include CSS (Content Scrambling System), Macrovision or any other copy protection schemes. DVD Studio Pro offers CSS.

Question 14: Do I have to burn a disk to test my final product?

Answer: No. iDVD has a preview function.