Crashing in iDVD 6.2 during encoding - is there a fix for this at all?

Question

I have been having problems all weekend with this. I am running a G5 as per my signature below. I just cannot get past the encoding part of the procedure.
The application either hangs with the rotating beachball, or crashes completely, either at the video encoding stage or audio stage. I have tried all of the suggested fixes like deleting certain cache files and prefs etc, you name it, ive tried it. The programme is even unstable prior to beginning encoding. I've tried running the application alone with no other progs running, ive tried disconnecting uneccessary equipment, deleting non apple vide plugins etc, but nothing
Judging by the number of postings about this, it seems its a pretty major problem for G5 users. But are there any proven fixes for this?
Im goin nuts here!
Thanks
Bob

Answer 1

I know what you're going through Bob, but it finally worked for me!
I have had the exact same problem - spinning beachball, and then a kernel panic. I was encoding a 35 minute disc which would enter the audio encoding stage, apparently freeze with the spinning beachball and then sit there (in my case for approximately 1.5 hours) while it did its thing. However, my disc didn't eventually finish like most people have been reporting. Just like Bob, mine would eventually crash (faded black screen prompting a restart). I tried the process 4 times, each time with the same result.
Here are things I tried:
-converting all mp3s to AAC and AIFF
-exporting my movie into a .mov and then importing it back to iMovie for final touches (titles, chapters, etc)
-disabling Limewire
-running the Apple Hardware Test off of my install disc to check for bad RAM
None of these worked. I ended up reinstalling the system software that came with my MacBook Pro 17" (10.4.6). This included Quicktime 7.0.4. I'm not sure which of these made the difference but it worked! In 2 hours I had my DVD disc image created successfully. Burning this to a DVD+R worked as it should.
Bob, if it is crucial that you get this disc done ASAP, try reverting to the previous version of Quicktime, and if this doesn't work, try to revert back to 10.4.6.
I couldn't believe my eyes when it finally worked! I've been fiddling for a few days on this.
I hope this gives you some hope, Bob. I understand the frustration. My trusty TiBook crashed perhaps twice in the 5.5 years I had it. This one, in the past month since I've had it has crashed the OS multiple times in iDVD, iMovie, iPhoto, and Safari. I'm not at all impressed.
Now, since going back to 10.4.6 my laptop won't wake from sleep. I still have another movie project to create in the next couple weeks. Should I brave reinstalling 10.4.7??
The best to you,
Sloets