18.1. iDVDThe DVD-ROM Maker iDVD's ability to add data files to the DVD-ROM portion of your disc may be its least known feature. When it creates a DVD-ROM, iDVD sets aside a portion of your DVD for normal computer files. This area of the disc won't show up on a DVD playeronly on a computer. With iDVD, you can store any variety of data on your DVD. Here are just a few ways you can use this feature to enhance your disc: -
Store documents that relate to your DVD contents. The DVD-ROM area provides a perfect place to store copies of documents that concern the material presented in the DVD. This might include the script used to film a movie, the different versions that eventually led to a final event invitation , extended family narratives, copies of email and other correspondence, and so on. Remember: TV sets aren't much good for displaying text, but a DVD-ROM and a computer can come to the rescue. Or store the full-resolution versions of the digital photos featured in your DVD slideshow (one of the most common uses for this feature). -
Store Web pages. Web pages are perfect additions to the DVD-ROM disc area. Create a Web site that relates to your DVD and add your source files to the disc. When distributed, your viewers can open these files with an ordinary Web browser. For example, a DVD with a training video can contain supplementary lessons in HTML (Web page) format. -
Store "email quality" versions of your video. Use the DVD-ROM area of your disc to store small, compressed versions of your video, or "wallet size " pictures from a slideshow, suitable for email. Now your audience can share your movie experience with other people. 18.1.1. Adding Files to DVD-ROM iDVD's DVD-ROM file management couldn't be simpler. Just drag icons out of the Finder and into the DVD-ROM Contents list (Advanced  Edit DVD-ROM Contents), as shown in Figure 18-1.  | The DVD-ROM editor in early versions of iDVD 5 (as shown in Figure 18-1) is still fairly buggy . Consequently, your edits may not work as expected. If the program starts acting strangely, stop. Quit from iDVD and relaunch the program before continuing with your DVD-ROM setup. | |
 | Figure 18-1. By using the Add Files button or by dragging, you can store documents, folders, programs, and other computer files on a DVD. Anyone who receives a copy of your disc can access these files on a computer. In other words, iDVD can burn DVDs that go beyond the realm of simple video. | |
18.1.2. Organizing DVD-ROM Contents The DVD-ROM Contents pane lets you organize your files in several ways: -
Add folders. Click New Folder to add a folder to your list. -
Remove things. Either drag files or folders right out of the list, or select them and then press the Delete key. (Dragging out of the list gives you the cool puff-of-smoke animation.) -
Move items into or out of folders. You can drag icons into one of the little folder icons to file them thereor drag them out again to remove them. -
Reorder the list. Drag icons up or down the list into new positions . -
Create subfolders . Drag one folder into another to create subfolders. -
Rename a folder. Double-click the name of a folder to select and edit it. Press Return or Enter when you're finished typing. -
List/hide folder contents. You can click a folder's "flippy triangle" to expand it and see what's inside, exactly as in Finder list views. |
