Upgrading capabilities (software)

Question

I've just learned iMovie and iDVD and authored my first DVD. And I'm just pleased as punch; you are "looking" at one happy woman. Well, you know, suddenly you "need" things you never even thought about yesterday.... For example, I wanted to put audio on the menu but I didn't want it to loop so I eventually killed the idea. What software would give me greater control over something like that? (I find the intro for Final Cut on apple.com pretty incomprensible.)
I needed to include some audio-only files and I didn't see how. Can one include audio only on a DVD where other tracks are video? with iMovie? with different software? Well, I came up with a slideshow that worked really nicely for this project and this audio. This was really necessity's being the mother of quite a wonderful invention. Everybody loved it.
My immediate interest is in somehow capturing or creating the kind of visualization that iTunes and other media players will create for a piece of music. (Looks like some screensavers too.) Is there software that will do that or will capture what iTunes or the operating system does? (I'm sure I could play with various images and transitions and get something interesting. But I was just wondering.) Alternatively, sound editing programs will show you a waveform. Again is there a way to capture or re-create something like that?
Many thanks for pointing me where I can further my education,
Jeanne

Answer 1

hey there Jeanne,
iDVD authors & burns projects to DVD disc that are like the commercial discs you buy/rent. just like those, the music on a menu will loop until the viewer hits play all/play movie or chooses a chapter selection. also as w/ music DVDs, these projects seem to require a video/graphic/photo image to coincide w/ the audio tracks. in iDVD it is possible to adjust the length of music in a menu, whether it's from the theme or it's something you import.
iMovie 6 will show a waveform & is fairly simple to edit-set play head where you want to cut, then Apple key+T, it also has visible level controls w/ adjustable fades. you can even x-fade music/sound FX or stack sound FX. i use iMovie to build slideshows as i find it to be easier, can add more pix, has more controls & options for FX, transitions, v.o. narration & DVD chapter creation.
good luck, hope this helps.