IMovie - iDVD and a NTSC versus PAL question

Question

I have some questions about creating iMovie for use in iDVD and about the various formats.  Here goes:
I have a large number of travel photos taken in various cities that I need to use to create a project in iMovie.  In addition, I have a couple of smallish video segments that go with each of these cities.  I want to be able to get to any section from the DVD menus.  The sections being defined as the either the videos or the photos for each individual city.  Also, I need to be able to create both NTSC and PAL formatted DVD's from this exercise.
Now, as I understand it, there's several ways I can approach this:
First, I can use iMovie to create discreet projects for each segment.  The individual city videos being one type.  The photo shows of the individual cities being another type.  Then export each of these via the media browser and import them individually into iDVD.  But that then begs the question of NTSC versus PAL.  Since I have to choose a project format in iMovie (NTSC or PAL), does that imply that I've got to have separate projects for each one of the cities NTSC or PAL versions?  Or can I just use the NTSC project and cut the DVD in either NTSC or PAL format based on the settings in iDVD?  If I use this route, what's the best export format to use for optimal appearance on the finished DVD?
Second, I can create one long project in iMovie.  Put chapter markers in it and export it to the media browser.  Then, import it into iDVD and use the chapter markers referenced from the various menu picks.  If I go this route, once again, how do I account for the NTSC versus PAL differences?  And again, what's the best export settings for optimal viewing?
I guess much of this question relates to the issue of having to specify a format in both iMovie and iDVD.  If I choose NTSC in iMovie, but use PAL in iDVD, other than the obvious format mismatch, what actually happens by doing this?  Or, turn it around.  Use PAL in iMovie and NTSC in iDVD.  Again, what's the ramifications of doing this?
Just trying to figure out the best way of going about this and what the tradeoffs are for each approach.  Any insight you can offer would be greatly appreciated.  Oh... and sorry to have been so long winded.
Many thanks in advance,
Tom

Answer 1

Hi
Oh Dear. Is this an assigned task from an editing turor. Then He/She is mean.
a. If You want a DVD - Then You should not use iMovie'08 or 09 or 11 as they can not export interlaced video to iDVD as it needs but discard every second line resulting in a less quality DVD. Use (for SlideShows and Movies)
• iMovie up to HD6 (SlideShows or Movie) - or -
• FinalCut any version (SlideShows or Movie) - or -
• FotoMagico (if You make only a SlideShow - can not do movies)
If persisting with iMovie'08-11 - Then DO NOT use "Share to iDVD" from within any version of iMovie (not 3 - HD6 either) as they do a bad job. But in iM'08-11 "Share to Media Browser" and as Large. In iM HD6 or FCE/P Save as QuickTime .mov and import this into iDVD.
b. NTSC and PAL - If DVD is to be sent to EU (PAL) - then most DVD-players also playback NTSC so conversion is not needed (mostly).
There are NO way to make a combo version PAL & NTSC - They do not exist.
If You make a PAL iMovie /FC project - then DO NOT let iDVD convert to NTSC (or other way either)
• it can do so - BUT Result is severely BAD
I use JES_Deinterlacer to make the conversion and it's so much better. (free on internet)
But absolutly best result is by doing two versions in the movie-editor - one PAL and one NTSC version.
c. Use High quality DVD brand - I only use Verbatim DVD-R
and set down burn speed to x4 - Less burn errors and plays on many more Players.
Just to start with.
Take one Q at a time and we can fix this.
Yours Bengt W