Any recommendations for decent iDVD substitutes?

Question

Level 1

147 points

Any recommendations for decent iDVD substitutes?

Why: I am running into too many problems with iDVD not coping with the video formats I am chucking at it on the rare occasion that I still burn a DVD but I really, truly did appreciate its effortless menu creation, making using a template to still create a professional finish a relative joy.

Question: So- does anyone care to recommend a reliable replacement for iDVD with solid ability to not get freaked out by stuff like 1080p 4:3 videos (yes, madness, I know!) but also with the super simple, fairly slick menu creation interface?

FWIW: I took a very cursory look at iSkysoft's DVD Creator (and it seemed to "like" my mad video file just fine), but would prefer to go on "word of mouth" before I shell out money.

In case you are wondering why still iDVD- I loved it, in its time. And am running most my beloved editing software on Mavericks on an older MacBook Pro (where iDVD resides) anyway. But I am also using High Sierra on my 2018 MacBook Pro, so am not limited to using only antiquated software. Really only a matter of cost as this is a rare need.

Thank you for reading!

MacBook Pro TouchBar and Touch ID, macOS High Sierra (10.13), 2018 13" 4 x Thunderbolt 3 i7

Posted on Nov 30, 2018 6:35 AM

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Answer 1

Old Toad

Level 10

215,876 points

Nov 30, 2018 9:54 AM in response to MacBraveheart

The one app I've zeroed in on is DVD Maker Lite - DVD Creator. The free download adds a watermark on any slideshow created but it'll give you an idea if it's what you want before you purchase.

The GUI is not nearly as intuitive as iDVD but with a little poking around one can get the have of it.

It is the only app that I've found that will also create slideshows from still images. All others work with video/movie file only. I do more video DVDs with still photos than video/movie files.

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Answer 2

Ziatron

Level 5

4,214 points

Nov 30, 2018 2:49 PM in response to MacBraveheart

There are no realistic substitutes for iDVD. I believe I've tried them all.

For editing movies there are some decent choices, but when it comes to authoring a DVD nothing comes remotely close to iDVD. The ease-of-use is incredible, we usually create moving menus for chapter selection. With iDVD you can author a DVD to Hollywood standards. (For making Blu-rays, we use Toast.)

We have a bunch of Mac Minis dedicated to the sole purpose of editing movies here. Naturally, we are using iMovie HD 6 (and iDVD) because we believe it to be the best (has Chapter Markers for iDVD). We are running OS X 10.9.5 on these Macs. I believe that OS X 10.9.5 is the last OS version to run iMovie HD 6 with no issues or glitches.

If you are an iDVD user, PLEASE contact Apple and nicely encourage them to update iDVD to 64-Bit. This is especially important considering there are NO third party alternatives with the power and ease-of-use of iDVD.

https://www.apple.com/feedback/macos.html

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Answer 3

Old Toad

Level 10

215,876 points

Nov 30, 2018 11:17 AM in response to MacBraveheart

You might try booingt into Safe Mode, Mac OS X: Starting up in Safe Mode, and create and burn or save to disk image the iDVD project from there.

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Answer 4

MacBraveheart Author

Level 1

147 points

Nov 30, 2018 10:04 AM in response to Old Toad

Thank you ever so much for your recommendation. I actually have just tried it, hoping that it would suit, but it doesn't like my strange video file (a 4:3 file which is part of a 16:9 video) and turns it into 3:3 as iDVD now does.

It's got good reviews though, from what I can make out, so might just get it anyway for future projects.

iSkysoft's DVD Creator is, so far, the only one which will not have a hissy fit with the file, but I just had a look- not exactly cheap at £40. Turning into a very expensive "labour of love", this DVD...

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Answer 5

MacBraveheart Author

Level 1

147 points

Nov 30, 2018 10:40 AM in response to Old Toad

Yeah, you're right. I am not complaining.

Well- not really.

Just hoped for a break as I already had to buy the gear to get the Hi8 footage off the tapes, but didn't expect that iDVD wouldn't work for more than one DVD burnt (it's odd- I cannot explain why I was able to get it to "behave" once but not when I came to try to make a IMG file for posterity. I am thinking it was a fluke. 😟 )

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Answer 6

MacBraveheart Author

Level 1

147 points

Nov 30, 2018 3:06 PM in response to Ziatron

I am SO reading you. I have today tried about eight different ones, and still concluded that none are a patch on the iDVD experience, even WITH the issues I am experiencing. I would very much advocate that Apple pick up the iDVD Mantle once more.

So I went back to trying to make my video work on iDVD and after 12 hours of exporting all manner of different formats I found one that iDVD almost liked. I risked it, created a disk image and lo and behold- it works beautifully. Better than the preview suggested.

Lesson? "If, at first, you don't succeed? Try, try again!"

Mac Minis, eh? My MacBook Pro running Mavericks is a dedicated editing suite with my "No Can Work Without" Final Cut Pro 7 and Avid Media Composer, and it is where I have iDVD et al. Of course also the amazing QT Player 7, which I cannot live without.

Thank you everyone. My conclusion so far (but I am still prepared to be educated) is that there really nothing which comes close to iDVD; sadly.

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Answer 7

Old Toad

Level 10

215,876 points

Nov 30, 2018 10:34 AM in response to MacBraveheart

Turning into a very expensive "labour of love", this DVD...

But worth it. Good luck.

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