Idvd 09 - preview looks awsome, burned dvd looks like crap on a stick!

What is going on with idvd???
1. I use a Panasonic HD digital camcorder that saves video in 1080p x 720p and looks spectacular veiwed directly from camcorder to TV.
2. I import the video files into imovie 09 and quality still looks great. (I realize my monitor won't display video at it's highest resolution.)
3. I edit the video and as the text and transitions are added the playback gets choppy and starts to freeze. -Whatever!
4. I "share" the final vid to media browser.
5. I create a DVD menu in iDVD 09 and import the video from the media/movies panel.
Preview looks great, runs fairly smooth. ok!
6. I burn to a DVD-R using the Best Performance setting.
7. I place the burned DVD into my dvd player and....
It now looks like I am projecting the video onto a brick wall with the focus out of adjustment. The video is not very smooth, with jittery motion! And the resolution mimics that of an old Sega Game Gear view screen! Text has video noise distortion all around it. Probably would look better on youtube! AND....If I select "Scene selection" option and choose a scene from the middle of the movie, it just plays from the start anyway!
So much for HD! So much for deadlines! Now I just want to know why I "upgraded" to iLife 09 and a new-found crappy quality!! "Hollywood style movies" - MY BUTT!!!!!
Please help!!!!!!
Message was edited by: Jerred Best
Message was edited by: Jerred Best

Hi Jerred,
Welcome to apple discussions. I have some bad news and some good news for you. I'll start with the bad news.
iDVD does Not support burning High Def DVD (even though iMovie will in fact edit HD). That's the bad news.
The good news is that there are third party options available to you at a relatively low cost (under $120).
See here: http://www.roxio.com/
OK. I told you the bad news and the good news right? Well here's the frosting on the cake:
You DON'T need a BD burner if you're doing this on the cheap (like most of us). A standard DVD burner such as your Mac's superdrive will do fine.
See here: http://www.macvideo.tv/dvd-authoring/features/index.cfm?articleId=112361
Btw, you do want to make certain your camcorder/ camera is listed below prior to proceeding with the above info:
http://support.apple.com/kb/HT3290?viewlocale=en_US
Hope the above info helps but if not just come on back.
Disclaimer: Apple does not necessarily endorse any suggestions, solutions, or third-party software / products that may be mentioned in this topic. Apple encourages you to first seek a solution at Apple Support. The following links are provided as is, with no guarantee of the effectiveness or reliability of the information. Apple does not guarantee that these links will be maintained or functional at any given time. Use the information above at your own discretion.
Message was edited by: SDMacuser

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Aloha:
-Charlie-

Idvd 09 - preview looks awsome, burned dvd looks like crap on a stick!

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