Here are some answers to some of the most commonly asked questions when working with iMovie 4 and iDVD:

Q: I want to save my unfinished project to work on later but do not want to risk saving it only on the hard drive

A: The simple solution to this is to make a back-up copy of the iMovie project. Usually an iMovie file is too large to fit on a CD and is certainly too large for a floppy disk! So you must save a copy of the project file to DVD. This is not the same as making a DVD to watch at home. To back-up your file you must first locate the project folder. Usually this will be located in the 'movies' folder on your 'macintosh HD'. If you cannot find the file there, simply search for your file in the finder. Once you have located the folder insert a blank recordable DVD into the DVD drive on your computer. Once the computer has recognised the disk and you have named it, you can then drag and drop the project file onto the DVD disk. Once the file has been stored onto the disk you can drag the DVD icon to the 'trash' in order to burn the file to your disk. Once this is complete you now have a back-up copy of your movie. To access this file again (for future editing or final movie rendering) all you have to do is to drag the file from your DVD onto the desktop and begin editing again (you will not be able to edit the back-up copy on the disc).

Q: We want to give the DVD to someone to play on their DVD player at home – what format should I use?

The standard 'Superdrive' of an apple Emac is a DVD - (minus) drive so only DVD's that are labeled DVD - (minus): DVD-R or DVD-RW will work on the computer. This means that the DVD's that you produce will only work on DVD players that can read DVD-R or DVD-RW discs. This is not a problem for most DVD players but some older models or budget models may not recognise the discs. This is due to limits of DVD recording technology at the moment, and the fact that there is not one defined format (such as with CD-R).

Q: I want to play my video on a PC – what format should I use?

The main format supported by iMovie is 'Quick Time', so as long as your PC (or Mac) has 'Quick Time' installed then you will be able to view the movie without any problems. If you do not have 'Quick Time' on your computer you can download it for free on the apple website. http://www.apple.com/uk/quicktime/products/qt/

Q: I have a completed a DVD movie and burnt it to disc but want to re edit it – what should I do?

In this kind of situation the best thing to do is to return to your original project file and make the changes there so that you can re-export it to a new DVD movie file. If you do not have the original project file then things get more tricky. If this is the case create a new iMovie project file and go to 'file' and 'import'. Locate your movie file and then click 'open'. You will now be able to edit your movie once more. The problems you will have is that your movie will not be divided into shots and or sound layers but will be one very large file and all your transitions will be integrated and thus not easily edited. The answer to all this is to ALWAYS BACK-UP YOUR WORK! AND SAVE! SAVE! SAVE!

Q: I want to put the video on our web site – what format and compression is required?

Before attempting a task such as this you should consult the media4schools liason officer. They will be able to organise the technical help that you require or help you themselves if this is possible.

Q: Can I transfer a VHS video via the DV IN socket on my DV camera?

Again, if you are attempting something like this it will be easier to get into contact with your liason officer for us to best assess the needs of the situation.

Q: What type of DVD should I use on the emac?

Generally, emac's use DVD-R or DVD-RW (minus, not DVD+R as this will not be recognised by the computer) This is different to CD media, which you can use any disc and it will work fine. If you have any doubts please contact your liason officer who will be happy to help.

Q: How do I erase a re writable DVD

First insert the disc you would like to erase into the CD drive. Double click the MacintoshHD icon, then double click the 'Applications' folder. Once you are here locate the folder named 'Utilities' and double click on it. Finally locate a file named 'Disk Utility' and double click on this to open the file. Once in disk utility locate the disc you wish to erase and click on the disc title. Locate the 'erase' tab on the right hand side and you will notice a button called 'erase' simply click on this button and after a few minutes the disc will be wiped clean and ready to use again.

To backup your i-movie project onto a DVD the project must be no larger than 4.3 Gb (This is usually longer than a two-minute film)

If your film is bigger than 4.3Gb, try deleting the non-used clips on your clip pane in iMovie, then re-save.

To find out how large your iMovie file is, locate the folder on your Hard Drvie where you have saved the file (the default location for this is inside the folder entitled 'movies') hold down the control key on the keyboard then click on the project icon (iMovie 5, this file has a star on it. In iMovie 4 the project will look like a normal file folder) A menu should appear, select “Get Info”. Another window will appear in the top of your screen, in it you will find the size of your project.

If the project is still too large then you will have to look at another way of backing up such as to record the finished movie back onto camera. However, if it is smaller than 4.3GB carry out the following:

1. Eject the disc draw on your computer by pressing the top right hand key on your keyboard.
2. When the disc draw pops out place a blank DVD-R disc and close the draw again.
3. Wait a few seconds and another window will appear saying “Untitled DVD”. Change this to whatever your project is called then click “OK”
4. The disc icon should appear on the desktop with the desired name below it.
5. Simply drag your project folder onto the DVD icon until the green plus appears and let go.
6. The project should then copy itself onto the DVD, though this may take some time.
7. Once the project has copied onto the DVD drag the DVD icon down to the trashcan.
8. The trashcan will then turn into a burn symbol. Let go and the disc will start to burn.
9. This will then create a DVD within a project fie on it. Please note this is a file backup and does not create a DVD that will play in a DVD player.
10. Once the DVD is burnt label the disc and keep it in a safe place. To burn a DVD like this can take up to an hour or more!