Q: IDVD was not installed on new macbook pro  ..help

Don't complain to us.  We're just users like yourself.  Tell Apple via http://www.apple.com/feedback/idvd.html.

Just bought a new Macbook air 11" running on Os X 10.7.2 and a superdrive so i could burn DVD's.... but no iDVD!

I have it now and it works perfectly....after a little research.

This is where i started, very helpful:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=my12sf_2TFI

You will need to find a mac (yours/family/friends) that do have iDVD. Enable "file sharing" in system preferences on your mac and the mac with iDVD....this will help if you've got problems doing that:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qUThAcIBWfQ

So i did everything as per the first youtube clip however i encountered some problems:

1) couldnt find Library and thus application support. Found it was a hidden folder (press shift/command/g to get "go to folder" and type ~/Library and its all in there)

2) still could not transfer themes

So what i did was download some free themes from www.dvdthemepak.com/

After doing this iDVD worked!

Click on the grey themes below those that are available and iDVD autamatically updates them.

To get the themes that were in the original files of iDVD, i went to application support (directions above) and found that an iDVD had autimatically been added. I simply transfered the contents of the folder iDVD 6 (as per the first youtube clip) into this autimatically created folder.

Very long winded i know, but saves buying iLife and handing over more unnecessary $$$ to the very same people that removed iDVD in the first place.

Stickin it to the man!!!

I have just ordered a new Macbook Pro and it's on its way. But I have the old iLife 9 and the newer iLife 11, so I guess I can install iWeb and iDVD from these discs? Is that right?

Yes. If you have the iLife 11 disk you're set to go.

That's good to hear.

I just Dragged and Dropped my old iDVD from my macbook pro applications to my external hard drive along with the Themes that can be found in Applications Support folder > iDVD > Themes , and works perfect, ran the update and just burned a bunch of DVD's.

I had the same problem, I bought an IMac a few weeks ago with no bundles IDVD. If you wanna get a free one call Apple support & request to talk to a senior advisor & they should send u a free copy of ILife 11. It worked for me!

To Bolly5000: Just wanted to say thanks, this was so so helpful! I was worried I would have to bug apple or something, and I simply don't have the time.

Hello there folks. I am a very recent convert to the world of Apple computing having crossed from the dark side a few months ago when I purchased my MacBook Pro. I have just spent 48 hours working out how to make a movie on imovie and want to burn it to dvd to give as a present. So, no idvd on my Lion OSX 10.7.4 I discover and then I find this forum thread.....the good news is, before you rush to spend more cash on the app/download/software whatever, a very nice chap at Apple explained that you can burn anything to disc, as long as you don't want all the idvd fancy pants stuff like covers and themes and all that malarky. Just select your project in the project library, click share, select export project and choose to save it on the desktop. Use finder/desktop/file to create a new burn folder there too. Move your movie into the folder and burn folder to dvd. Sounds easy.....so I'm gonna give it a go. Oh, and he said to select the slowest speed available for the best quality copy that can be played on other devices such as a pc or dvd player. I will report back on my success or not. Hope this helps other newbies like me.

MrsFitzherbert,  I think (not positive) the file you export to the desktop will be an MPEG-4 file.  You can then burn that file onto a disc.  But it won't play on a standard DVD player (the kind that's hooked-up to your TV).  You can watch an MPEG-4 file on a different computer, though.

The reason you need iDVD is to change the format of the file to one that can be read by a standard DVD player.

You are absolutely right! I have made a dvd that plays beautifully on my mac but nowhere else! I guess it's back to the drawing board and back to Apple to spend yet more money on what I would have imagined were basic tools to have on their machines....

Thanks for your response Melican.....sorry to anyone simple like me whose hopes I raised!

Update on my dvd burning adventure....went to the Apple store today where they confirmed that idvd is no longer supplied or supported by them as in time the whole notion of a real dvd product in your hand will be obselete! In the meantime, I was told that to burn a dvd hard copy I should install midvd from the App store. I have done so and hey presto! I have now managed to burn a copy which plays on my dvd player. The quality ain't perfect but good enough for my purposes, although for some reason when I play it on my other dvd player (Sony) it repetedly grinds to a halt at the same spot half way through and will go no further! This could be my old machine playing up, who knows...? Hope this helps.

they confirmed that idvd is no longer supplied

Wrong, Apple supplies it right here.

http://www.amazon.com/Apple-MC623Z-A-iLife-VERSION/dp/B003XKRZES/ref=sr_1_1?ie=U

Apple continues to furnish Amazon with fresh product (primarily due to the demand for iDVD)

or supported by them

Wrong, Apple has a great discussion forum where you can get support (you are reading it right now!).

in time the whole notion of a real dvd product in your hand will be obselete!

"in time"  The sun will become a red giant and destroy the earth.   Seriously, DVDs remain very popular with the public.  Apple is the largest media company in the world.  They sell nothing on a physical disk so their agenda is skewed.

I should install midvd from the App store.

Yes, it works. However iDVD is vastly superior and easier to use.

The quality ain't perfect but good enough for my purposes,

For maximum quality I use iMovie 06 with iDVD 11.  My DVDs look just as good as the ones sold by Hollywood.

who knows...?

I do.  Use iDVD.

Thanks for your slightly patronising response to my post Ziatron! I can assure you that this was MY experience in the good ol' UK yesterday so forgive me for that. As I explained, the Apple technician confirmed that iDVD is not provided when purchasing a new Mac and it was not available to purchase in the shop. He showed me Roxio Toast on the shelves but no iDVD. And, quite frankly, I don't see why I should have to spend an extra £24 to buy iLife when I already have iPhoto, iMovie and Gargae Band loaded on my MacBook as standard? It seems daft to provide something like iMovie without the means to burn a project to DVD afterwards. A free download would be ideal. Failing that, I'll stick with what I've got for now. But thanks for your interest. As I said, I'm a recent arrival in the world of Mac so excuse my naivety on such matters...

I'm sure you can find iDVD as a free download, though not on Apple's site.  Or maybe you know someone who is no longer using their copy of iDVD?