Solving iDVD problems with mixed aspect ratio input.

Question

I have been trying to create a DVD with a compilation of slideshows. The slideshows are of mixed vintage and were created with various software. The older shows are 640 x 480 and 720 x 480 and the latest were created for my Apple TV with 1240 x 720.
During the creation of the DVD, the test runs looked fine, but when the DVD was played the 4:3 AR shows were stretched to full screen. I tried making the DVD in 4:3 ratio and in widescreen. The TV is widescreen.
I searched the forums and even e-mailed David Pogue (no reply) after reading his iDVD book. My solutions came from this forum and I would like to thank the contributors. I cannot name them because I cannot reproduce the same query and the clues I found, were not always a direct response to the topic.
The results I hoped for, were to have the 4: 3 ratio slideshows play in a widescreen window with black bars on the side. The two solutions I found from the forum were as follows:
1. Using iDVD, Add the 4:3 aspect ratio slideshow into iDVD as a slideshow and not as a movie. This uses the slideshow formatting to add the black bars. It appears it is OK to add video instead of slides. The 16:9 slideshows were added as normal movies and the DVD worked as expected.
2. The second solutions (from this forum again) was to create a single slideshow containing all the mixed format shows, use Garageband to add show markers, and output to iDVD. I used Fotomagico, which allows movies to be included with photos. The results were fine and I had two DVDs that played as I expected.
I want to thank those people who cantribute their time and expertise in these forums. I was one of many who benefitted from their posts.
Message was edited by: pfcurtis

Answer 1

I just noticed that I listed this topic under iDVD'08. I should have listed it under the latest iLife'09. Can the Moderators move it please?