Copying old iMovie DVD with Chapters/Themes

Hi,

I take it that you no longer have iDVD on your computer and access to the original iDVD projects where you could do a re-burn of the DVD. Further, if your original DVD was burned from a disc image, created within the iDVD app (File/Save as Disc Image), and you still have the saved disc image, then you could burn multiple copies of your DVD from the disc image. Those would be ways that you could preserve your chapter markers and scene submenus.

Also, you can try this: Insert the DVD that you want to copy into your optical drive. Control-click on the DVD's icon when it appears on your desktop. In the drop down menu that appears, click on Duplicate. In a few minutes a folder will appear on your desktop with the title of the DVD. When you open the folder you will see an Audio_TS folder and a Video_TS folder. Now eject your DVD and insert a blank DVD into your burner. Double click to open the blank. You will see a blank white window. Go back to the duplicate DVD folder that you previously placed on your desktop. Drag the Audio_TS folder and the Video_TS folder into the blank window of the DVD. I'm not entirely sure, but I believe now that you can play the new DVD with the chapter markers preserved. I know that you can play the DVD -- just not sure about the chapters. However, it is an easy procedure and it can't hurt to try.

EDIT: I forgot to mention that after you drag the Audio_TS and Video_TS folders into the DVD window, you will then need to burn the disc. I think if you eject the DVD it will ask you if you want to burn and you can click yes.

The above applies to an Apple computer, so if you have that option I would boot into the Mac OS side of your computer.

Everything else failing, probably your next option would be to take your DVD to a DVD copying service and have them copy it for you.

-- Rich

I did try the method outlined by Rich and it did work when played in 2 standard DVD players.

However when placed into Mac, DVD Player launched but could not play the disc.

You should be able to do what you want by using Disk Utility which can be found in

Applications>Utilities>Disk Utility.

The method is slightly different depending on your OS.

For OS up to and including Yosemite .

For OS El Capitan and after

In step 4 above also set Encryption to NONE.

As in the first method, when you insert your original DVD, DVD player will probably launch so just quit it.

In both cases the disk image will be a .cdr file.

If and when asked to select burn speed I would suggest no higher than x4 (I would choose x2)

Hope this gives you what you are after.

I should have mentioned that you can 'test drive' the .cdr file in DVD Player before committing to burn a disc, giving some confidence that a disc is not going to be wasted.

Double click on the .cdr file.

You should see a hard drive symbol appear on the desktop showing that it is now mounted.

A folder containing the Audio TS and Video TS files will also appear, but close this.

Now launch DVD Player and you should see your "DVD".

If satisfied you can burn.

Good work!

I knew there was some way to copy DVDs via Disk Utility but couldn't recall the procedure.

I had the same problem with the copied DVD not playing in my Mac when created with my method. I've been playing with it to see if I could get it to work. Seems that it should, since it plays in DVD players. I wonder if it would play on other computers. Very strange.

Best,

Rich

Hi Rich

Like you, I have been playing around with it,but cannot get it to play in DVD Player.

Why it plays OK in a standard DVD player and not in Apple's DVD Player is a mystery.

Hopefully Disk Utility will solve the issue for XpertDBA.