iDVD won't let me put a MPEG-1 on a DVD. I've been googling for answers all night and I haven't found much. Does anyone know if I can:

1. Find a way to get MPEG-1 files to work in iDVD
2. Get another program that will let me burn MPEG-1 files onto a DVD (with a dvd menu)

Thanks in advance.

iDVD only takes .mov files.

Your best bet is to either use something like quicktime, sorenson squeeze, or compressor to convert it to a .mov

the only program i know for mac that will let yo uburn dvds using mpg2 is DVD Studio Pro.

I just burned an xvid w/ ac3 using iDVD. Just like with Windows you just have to have the right codecs.

I've gotta go fix something for one of my clients but when I get back I'll tell you how to make it work SAJN.

k, back. First make sure that you can play the file in Quicktime. Both programs will use codecs from Core Audio and Core Video. If you don't have the correct codec, Google for the Quicktime codec for it. Once you have the codec (it will be a .component file) put it in the /LibQurary/Quicktime folder. After you get it playing in Quicktime you can import into iDVD. Start a new project and click the DVD map button. Click the + button and Add Movie. Then you can drag the video file onto that box.

ok, or don't buy anything that starts with an i..

You're just as screwed if you try to play/burn something you don't have a codec for in Windows or Linux.

At least with Mac you don't have to buy an MPEG2 decoder just to watch a DVD...

That's fine - you can still get a MacBook, Mac Pro, MacBook Pro, or Mac Mini then.

You don't on Windows either, unless you're using some pathetically deprived version of XP.

Vista might have it now, but I know even with MCE 2005 you had to.

That's what VLC is for.

K-Lite will work to, but I've heard tell rumor that their codec isn't exactly legit.

Wasn't it the "copy-protection" of DVDs, rather than the used mpeg2 codec that prevented most OSs from playing DVDs out of the box? It's definately so in Linux and I remember it being the same in Windows.

Vistas DVD maker is suprisingly awesome. Replaced fancy stuff like nero for that purpose.

I ended up just putting out the 20 dollars to upgrade Quicktime so it could view MPEG-1 and 2 files, then I downloaded Squared5 to convert the MPEG to a .mov file. It worked like a charm, and there was no hassle or long waits for the conversion. Woo! Thanks for the help.