Slideshow into iDvd - Workflow Options Questions

I have about 300 pictures in an iPhoto Slideshow that I want to be able to play on a DVD player. I think I'm doing something wrong, because the .mov file I export from iPhoto is 3.97 GB, but the Disk Image out of iDVD is only 1.11 GB. Besides the file size question, I welcome any other feedback on my approach below.
OS: 10.7.5
iPhoto 9.4.3
iDVD 7.1.2
From what I've learned, I decided to choose settings for the slide show based on this link (comments on the settings recommended woudl be welcomed. I chose the last tip in Step 2, creating an SD version for "ultimate quality"):
CREATING A VIDEO DVD FROM AN IPHOTO SLIDESHOW
And then exported slideshow as a .mov.
In iDVD, I chose 16:9 Ration & Professional Quality, selected a theme, and then click & drag imported the .mov into the project.
I then saved the project as a disk image through iDVD's File menu.
I then opened Disk Utiltiy, selected the disk image, and then selected Burn, & burned to disk.
QUESTIONS:
Do you believe in general that this is a good Workflow to obtain high quality playback on a DVD player?
Do you agree with the particular settings for the slideshow, and for exporting the slideshow suggested in the link above?
What is the benefit of saving as a Disk Image, rather than buring straight out of iDVD?
I'm a bit confused / concerned about the file size drop from exporting the .mov to creating the Disk Image. What is happening there?
Thanks a lot for your thoughts.

There are many ways to produce slide shows using iPhoto, iMovie or iDVD and some limit the number of photos you can use (iDVD has a 99 chapter (slide) limitation).
If what you want is what I want, namely to be able to use high resolution photos (even 300 dpi tiff files), to pan and zoom individual photos, use a variety of transitions, to add and edit music or commentary, place text exactly where you want it, and to end up with a DVD that looks good on both your Mac and a TV - in other words end up with and end result that does not look like an old fashioned slide show from a projector - you may be interested in how I do it. You don't have to do it my way, but the following may be food for thought!
Firstly you need proper software to assemble the photos, decide on the duration of each, the transitions you want to use, and how to pan and zoom individual photos where required, and add proper titles. For this I use Photo to Movie. You can read about what it can do on their website:
http://www.lqgraphics.com/software/phototomovie.php
(Other users here use the alternative FotoMagico: http://www.boinx.com/fotomagico/homevspro/ which you may prefer - I have no experience with it.)
Neither of these are freeware, but are worth the investment if you are going to do a lot of slide shows. Read about them in detail, then decide which one you feel is best suited to your needs.
Once you have timed and arranged and manipulated the photos to your liking in Photo to Movie, it exports the file to iMovie as a DV stream. You can add music in Photo to Movie, but I prefer doing this in iMovie where it is easier to edit. You can now further edit the slide show in iMovie just as you would a movie, including adding other video clips, then send it to iDVD 7, or Toast, for burning.
You will be pleasantly surprised at how professional the results can be!
To simply create a slide show in iDVD 7 onwards from images in iPhoto or stored in other places on your hard disk or a connected server, look here:
http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1089

Similar Messages

Insert an iPhoto SlideShow into iDVD

I do not succeed in inserting a SlideShow from iPhoto into iDVD including audio and slide effects. Only pictures will be inserted. Even exporting the slideshow from iPhoto into a QuickTime movie is losing the audio and slide effects. Can anyone give some advice what's going wrong?
Message was edited by: hherb

You cannot import an iPhoto Slideshow into iDVD and keep the audio and transition effects from iPhoto.
See this: http://discussions.apple.com/thread.jspa?messageID=8828619&#8828619
You need to create the slideshow directly in iDVD, and add the audio and transitions from withing iDVD.
Your transitions must be the same between the photos.
It is reported here that you can do this with Quick Time: http://discussions.apple.com/thread.jspa?messageID=10356386&#10356386
Have a look at these threads, for using iPhoto and iMovie: http://discussions.apple.com/thread.jspa?threadID=2299375&tstart=0
http://discussions.apple.com/thread.jspa?messageID=8909819&#8909819

I am putting three iphoto slideshows into idvd. the music included came from itunes, but when my dvd burns, the music all sounds scratchy.... Help1

The project with the 3 iphoto slideshows and 2 video clips look fine in idvd before I burn them. then the music all sounds scratchy. I have done numerous videos in idvd before, but never had this audio problem. What is going on....?

The project with the 3 iphoto slideshows and 2 video clips look fine in idvd before I burn them. then the music all sounds scratchy. I have done numerous videos in idvd before, but never had this audio problem. What is going on....?

Slideshow doesn't import correctly into iDVD

Hi all. I posted this in an iDVD forum and got no responses. I thought I'd post it here too, just in case anyone has an idea. I have created some excellent slideshows in iPhoto. They are put to music from iTunes. The slideshows contain multiple adjustments to timing so the photos flow along in time with the music. I get them to where the transitions are perfect in iPhoto then export the slideshow to iDVD. When I watch them in iDVD, the timing has changed so the transitions and timing between pictures doesn't correspond to the music anymore. Sometimes a photo transition is off just a second, sometimes more. But the errors accumulate through the whole slideshow, so by the end it's not right at all.
Is there any way that I get get the slideshows into iDVD without losing the perfect timing that I worked so hard to get just right in iPhoto? Thanks to anyone who has any ideas, and happy holidays!

Stephen:
The issue is with Quicktime and its encoding of the transitions. They always don't end up the same length in time. If you need that precise timing I suggest you create the slideshow in iMovie HD (6) where you can add multiple tracks, trim them to length, etc. with great precision. Export the resulting movie to iDVD from iMovie.
Do you Twango?
TIP: For insurance against the iPhoto database corruption that many users have experienced I recommend making a backup copy of the Library6.iPhoto database file and keep it current. If problems crop up where iPhoto suddenly can't see any photos or thinks there are no photos in the library, replacing the working Library6.iPhoto file with the backup will often get the library back. By keeping it current I mean backup after each import and/or any serious editing or work on books, slideshows, calendars, cards, etc. That insures that if a problem pops up and you do need to replace the database file, you'll retain all those efforts. It doesn't take long to make the backup and it's good insurance.
I've created an Automator workflow application (requires Tiger), iPhoto dB File Backup, that will copy the selected Library6.iPhoto file from your iPhoto Library folder to the Pictures folder, replacing any previous version of it. It's compatible with iPhoto 08 libraries and Leopard. iPhoto does not have to be closed to run the application, just idle. You can download it at Toad's Cellar. Be sure to read the Read Me pdf file.

Can I drop an IMovie Slideshow with music into IDVD?

Hello,
I created (and it took a long time) a slideshow with music using IMovie. Now I want to burn it to a DVD and am realizing I need to put it into IDVD. I saved it to my desktop and then dropped it into the IDVD Magic program but it does not save the slideshow. Or if it does, I can't seem to figure out how to play it. I also can't figure out how to choose the picture for the IDVD theme page. Any help with how to burn my IMovie slideshow on a DVD using either IDVD or some other way, would be greatly appreciated. Thank you!

Or if it does, I can't seem to figure out how to play it.
Click on the "Preview" button in the bottom left corner of the iDVD window. For more details go to iDVD Help: >_Making a Magic iDVD_
I also can't figure out how to choose the picture for the IDVD theme page.
Once you have added your slideshowGo to Help: _Adding images and movies to drop zones_
Any help with how to burn my IMovie slideshow on a DVD using either IDVD or some other way, would be greatly appreciated.
I am not familiar with the workings Magic DVD, but if you have already created the slideshow, it might be just as easy to follow the regular route in making this project. If you wish to try this, follow these steps.
1. Open iDVD, select to create a new project, and name it.
2. Select the theme.
3. Import your slideshow into iDVD. Go to your movies folder (or wherever your project is saved), and drag the iMovie icon (the one with the star) to the window of your iDVD project. Avoid drop zones.
4. You can add photos to the drop zones by clicking on the "Media" Button in the bottom right corner, and then on "Photos". Just drag and drop the photos to their desired location.
5. Preview by clicking on the triangle at the bottom of the window.
6. When you are ready to burn, first go to File>Save as disk image. This will allow you to have a final check of your project before burning to DVD. You can see how this project will actually play when played on a regular DVD player. If everything is fine, you can then burn the DVD using Disk Utility.
I hope this helps.
Message was edited by: Glo H

IPhoto Slideshows in iDVD?

Does anyone know if this is possible to import an iPhoto Slideshow into iDVD?

Yes you can do this 2 ways (that I know of)
1) Open iPhoto
2) Select the slideshow in the Source Pane
3a) From the File menu select Export. This will export it as a movie (to be imported from iMovie or iDVD.
3b) From the Share menu, Select Send to iDVD.
Hope this helps.

Another Aperture slideshow and iDVD question

When ultimately making a DVD, why do some people export their Aperture slideshow to iMovie and then iDVD, while others export the slideshow to the desktop and then import directly to iDVD (skipping iMovie)? I suppose another question is: is there somewhere an idiot's guide to all the various output and resolution options? I'm reading that if you export at too high a resolution, iDVD will jack that back down and then you get "artifacts." Are there optimal export resolutions for, say, Standard TVs and HDTVs when exporting from Aperture to iDVD? Thank you!!

MarkPek,
To add to what leonieDF has said.
I don't use Aperture for slide shows very often, but I make hundres of DVD's with iDVD and Toast.
All DVD's are standard definition, unless you use aa application like Toast and create a AVCHD Bluray disk. It doesn't mater what type of TV you play it on, it's SD. Some TV's do a good job of upscaling and the SD looks very good on them.
If you were to send a folder of full resolution 20 MP ( or whatever your camera is) images to iDVD there may be problems. I don't think iDVD is a very good at rescaling images. Sending 1920 x 1080 images or movies to iDVD has worked very well for me. I expect 720p would do well also.
I would recomend you do a test of a slide show of 1 min or less and trry a few different settings. I would try to export with a preset of Apple TV,iPad for a starter. Note that using Apple TV iPad 720p will give you a frame rate of 24, where as the other Apple TV is 30 fps. I have never tried feeding iDVD a movie that was 24fps, I not sure how that would go. I may give that a try and see what happens.
I use FCPX not iMovie, but I think that iMove works the same way. In the moive editing software you can just drag your Aperture stills into the timeline from the photo browser to creat your slide show/movie. But realize that the movie editing sofatware will actually use your Aperture previews for this. So your preview preference will determine the resolution of the images going into your movie. If your previews are set real low the results may not be very good. A setting that is closer to your monitor resoulton would work very well.
Do a test and let us know hoiw you make out. If I get a chance tomorrow I'll drop a quick slide show into iDVD. I'll export the same slide show with a few differnt settings and then put them all on one DVD to play back.

After burning a successful DVD in iDVD out of FCPX, how can I see the settings it used? So I finally burned a DVD out of a Apple Pro Res file into iDVD in PAL format. My question now is how can I find out what the exact burn properties were so that I ca

After burning a successful DVD in iDVD out of FCPX, how can I see the settings it used?
So I finally burned a DVD out of a Apple Pro Res file into iDVD in PAL format. My question now is how can I find out what the exact burn properties were so that I can apply the same burn properties to a project in Compressor 4?
Is it possible to see what iDVD did?

I don't know any way you can interrogate iDVD to reveal settings to the extent that you can in a Compressor project. What you could do is open up the show's VOB in MPEG STreamclip, go to File and Reveal Stream Information; that will at least give you some rudimentary info like average bit rate. Perhaps someone, with more iDVD experience, can chime in here.
The broader question is why use Compressor at all if your current workflow is doing the job to your satisfaction?
The value of Compressor is that it gives you control over the many parameters that affect size quality. and playability. The Compressor presets can give you a starting point for DVD delivery, Web, etc. From those presets, people typically experiment by adjusting the parameters until they get the desired results for their specific show. It's a little bit science and a little bit art. After experimenting, you may be able to get slightly better quality for the project you've successfully burned in iDVD by using Compressor and something likeToast…or maybe not.
Good luck.
Russ

Slideshow music from itunes into iDVD. PLEASE HELP!!!

I am new to itunes and idvd, however I have had my mac since November.
I am making a slideshow for a bachelorette party and wedding, and really want to be able to customize the music that plays through the slideshow.
I have spent about 4 hours trying to figure this out by internet searches, experimenting, etc., so now I am asking for help here!!!
I want to put a playlist (that is in itunes) with 22 songs into the slideshow in idvd. However, I only want to play the first 30 seconds - 1 minute of the song, and I went through each song and right clicked, went to get info, and changed the end times that way. Did that for each song. When I import the playlist into the project in idvd, it does either 2 things 1) will only play the first song listed on the slideshow (over and over) or 2) will play the ENTIRE set of music, without any of my end time changes made (like 96 minutes worth!!!)
So... my question is, how do I do this? 22 songs, just the intro period of each, to move with the slideshow?
Any help will be GREATLY appreciated, I am about to pull my hair out!!!
Thanks!
Tessa

In order to have more than one piece of music play in a slideshow, you first need to create a playlist containing that music. Then, when you select the music for the slideshow, select _only the playlist title_. Do not select the separate song titles.
I only want to play the first 30 seconds - 1 minute of the song
You need to edit your music using some application other than iTunes. You could use GarageBand for the type of editing you describe. However, music purchased from iTunes could still come with the DRM protection, which has been known to cause problems when used in a project. To avoid any issues, you should take these preliminary steps.
1. Burn the music in question to a CD.
2. Reimport the music as an AIFF file. iTunes>Preferences>Advanced>Importing>Import using: (drop down menu) AIFF encoder
3. This music can now be imported into GarageBand for editing.
After you do your editing, create a playlist of the edited music, and use in your project as described at the beginning of my post.
I hope this helps.
Message was edited by: Glo H

QUESTION: In Elements 12, how do I join together separate slideshows into a single integrated alideshow?

QUESTION: In Elements 12, how do I join together separate slideshows into a single integrated alideshow?

I hate to say this, but there is no way to put 1280X720 footage on a 1920X1080 sequence and upscale it to match the frame size without losing some quality. Basically, you are asking Premiere Pro to provide new pixels that were not in the original video. That is seldom a really good idea. You might want to try investing in program designed to upscale video. I have never used this, but there is a free trial, so give it a shot: http://www.infognition.com/VideoEnhancer/
Of course, it all depends on the content. Try it with Premiere Pro. Only you can judge. However, you might need to consider putting all of your 1920X1080 on a 1280X720 sequence instead, and just produce your video at that size.
Or, once again, this depends on the content, put some sort of frame around the smaller footage, either a blurred out version of the upscaled footage - lots of TV stations do this with 4:3 footage on a HD program, or purposefully make it even a little smaller, or crop it, and use parts of the same video in Picture-In-Picture. You have seen this before. A person talking on the phone in a larger frame to the left, and on the right a closeup of the mouth, or maybe a clip of the person they are talking to. Or use some B-Roll in the PiP.
Get imaginative, because you already know that you messed up, so perhaps make it look like you did it on purpose.

Trying to add album from iphoto into idvd slideshow. Not all photos are loading. Message "creating thumbnail images...(31 remaining). Been there a long time. What is wrong?

trying to add album from iphoto into idvd slideshow. Not all photos are loading. Message "creating thumbnail images...(31 remaining). Been there a long time. What is wrong?

Open your iPhoto Library, go to that particular album and verify that you can view the full sized version of each image by double clicking on them. Report back with the results.
OT

Quick Question (re:exporting from iMovie into iDVD)

Hello everyone!
I just have a quick question for you all... (I want to see if this is normal - I'm on a deadline and this is kind of freaking me out)
So, we have a 20 minute or so video in iDVD. It plays fine, etc etc. The goal is to burn it to a DVD.
I used the "Export -> to iDVD" function in iMovie, which launched iDVD.
But here is the weird thing: nothing comes up in iDVD. It doesn't make a new file, doesn't give me anything... it is just open, waiting for me to create a new project to work with.
YET, if I look in the Activity Monitor, I do see that EncoderServer (using 123% CPU) and ThumbnailServer (both iDVD processes) are running.... but shouldn't iDVD have told me it is working or that it is dealing with data?
This is very un-"apple". I totally would have expected a progress bar of some sort in iDVD telling me it is working or something.... or is something wrong and I should try to export it in a different way?
(I guess the underlying question is: when you export from iMovie to iDVD, does iDVD normally give you any 'heads-up' that it is working? how long does it normally take to open the project in iDVD?)

Hi Matt!
when you export from iMovie to iDVD, does iDVD normally give you any 'heads-up' that it is working? how long does it normally take to open the project in iDVD?)
Yes, and it's instant.
What you should see is iDVD opening and asking you to create a new project, It will suggest naming it the same as the iMovie project.
There are reports that exporting from Imovie to iDVD can produce problems. What I do is save the iMovie project and close iMovie. Open iDVD, create the new DVD project, then go the File menu in iDVD, scroll down to Import, and in the side menu select Video. This open your Movie Folder, wherein resides your iMovie project. Select it and it imports into iDVD in a flash.
Remember: iMovie projects go in the Movies Folder, iDVD projects go in the Documents folder. Change that, and they get very confused and unhappy.

Imovie media browser only has one option, "Mobile". other videos had option for medium and small. mobile option wont import into iDVD. other videos gave me the Medium option, why not this one?

help! imovie media browser only has one option, "Mobile". other videos had option for medium and small. mobile option wont import into iDVD. other videos gave me the Medium option, why not this one? need answers ASAP!

That is your answer then.
Large is 960x540
Medium is 640x480 (or 720x480)
Mobile is probably 480x272.
It is offering you the sizes that make sense given the size of your source material.
As a trick, you might try this. In your project, put a short 640x480 clip in the project as the first clip of the project. Then keep the rest of the project as is. See if it will let you share now in Medium. It will not look as good, because there are not enough pixels to cover the Medium size, but it might work.

What happened to share slideshow to iDVD option?

What happened to the "share slideshow to iDVD" option? Anyone know a fix?

1. Why take away a feature that makes compatability between programs easier???
Because no new Mac has had iDVD for a few years now. It would confuse people to see a command that they can't use, is my guess. But
iPhoto menu -> Provide iPhoto Feedback
and tell them what you think.

IDVD - multiple slideshows into one

In IDVD how do I make multiple slideshows into one slideshow. I have never used this and I accidentally entered 300 pics as individual slideshows. How would I put all of them into one slideshow? I'm making a dvd for Christmas presents.

If you have more than 99 slides in a slideshow you will run into a noticable pause at the 99 to 100th slide transition, and at the 198 to 199 slide transition.
To make a slideshow with more that 99 slides that will play without the pauses the slides must be joined together in iPhoto for one large slideshow with the transition and background music of your choice. Then export it out of iPhoto as a Quicktime movie file and addes to the iDVD theme.
What version of iPhoto and iDVD are you using? It matters in how to export the slideshow out of iPhoto.
Happy Holidays

Slideshow into iDvd - Workflow Options Questions

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