22.8. 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. 22.8.1. 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 22-7.
Warning: The DVD-ROM editor in early versions of iDVD 5 (as shown in Figure 22-7) 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 22-7. 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. | |
22.8.2. 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. |
