iMovie vs. iDVD, What's the difference?

[Carleen]

This is probably the most stupid question ever, but I'm a new switcher, so have mercy on me!!!! I have an external harddrive filled with lots of movies that were recorded on a Sony 30gig camcorder and want to burn DVD's out of them. I have downloaded MPEG StreamClip, per forum advice, and am converting the videos to the new format.
Have been reading all about iMovie and iDVD and they seem so very similar. How do I decide which one to use?

Carleen

P.S. I sold the Sony camcorder and bought a Panasonic PV-GS500, based on mac-forum advice!!!!

 

[D3v1L80Y]

iMovie edits and creates the movie.

iDVD authors and creates a DVD to play the movie on.

 

[Carleen]

OK, but why do they both have the same themes?
If I use iMovie to put it together, will I then have to send it to iDVD to do more editing stuff, then send it to Burn?

 

[D3v1L80Y]

OK, but why do they both have the same themes?

The themes have nothing to do with it. I think you are making things out to be more complicated than they are.:black:

If I use iMovie to put it together, will I then have to send it to iDVD to do more editing stuff, then send it to Burn?

iMovie is a video editor, iDVD isn't.

iDVD authors, creates, and burns the DVD for you.

When you are done with your editing in iMovie, it then exports your work into iDVD to make the actual disc. iMovie doesn't make the DVD for you, because it is only a video editor.

So to clarify further:
Like I said before, iMovie makes the movie.... iDVD makes the DVD. It is really that simple. :black:

In your case, if you have no desire to edit your movies that you recorded and only want them on a DVD, then you have no need to open iMovie at all.
If you want to trim, crop, add transitions and effects..etc. then you will need to do all of that in iMovie first, then export that project into iDVD to make your disc.