Adding DVD-ROM Data

Earlier in this chapter I mentioned that it's possible to create a hybrid DVD, which contains a DVD project as well as DVD-ROM files that can be read and copied using a Mac or PC. iDVD provides a straightforward (though slightly tucked away) method of adding files and folders to the disc.

To add files and folders to the DVD-ROM:

1.	From the Advanced menu, choose Edit DVD-ROM Contents. The DVD-ROM Contents window appears (Figure 19.23). Figure 19.23. The DVD-ROM Contents window is a blank canvas where you can add files that can be accessed by people viewing your DVD on a computer.
2.	Choose from the following options: Click the New Folder button to create a new untitled folder. Click the Add Files button to bring up an Open dialog where you can choose files to add. From the File menu, go to the Import submenu and choose DVD-ROM Files. The Open dialog appears for you to locate files to add. This option is only available when the DVD-ROM Contents window is open. Drag files or folders from the Finder onto the DVD-ROM Contents window (Figure 19.24). Figure 19.24. I find it easiest to just drag files and folders from the Finder to the DVD-ROM Contents window.
3.	Close the window when you're finished adding files and folders.

To remove DVD-ROM files and folders:

1.	In the DVD-ROM Contents window, select one or more files.
2.	Press the Delete key, or choose Delete from the Edit menu.

Tips

• When you create an iDVD slideshow, you can choose to store copies of those photos on the DVD-ROM portion of the disc. If this option is enabled, the files will appear in the DVD-ROM Contents window, but they will be grayed-out and inaccessible. You'll need to turn off the option labeled Add image files to DVD-ROM to remove the files. See Chapter 22 for more information.

• Click and drag the files and folders in the window to change their order in the list. You can also move files into different folders, nest folders, or move everything to the same hierarchy.

• iDVD creates links to the files you've added to the DVD-ROM Contents window; it doesn't copy the files themselves until it's time to burn your disc. If you add a file or folder and then move its location on your hard disk, the item's name appears in red and you get a "File not found" message when you burn the DVD. Either move the file back to its original location (if you know it), or delete the reference in the DVD-ROM Contents window and add the file again.

• Apple recommends that you not use the DVD-ROM feature in iDVD to create system backups of your hard disk, because saving "more than a few thousand files may not work." Instead, use the disc burning features in the Finder, or better yet, create a backup system using a dedicated backup application such as EMC's Retrospect (www.emcinsignia.com).