Apple iDVD for Mac

iDVD for Mac is Apple's DVD authoring-and-burning tool, working with internal and many external DVD burners. iDVD lets you walk through all the usual DVD creation projects, but also has Magic iDVD built in, which can handle all the most common settings automatically. It produces a burned DVD from your files with a minimum of keystrokes and operator intervention.

The iDVD interface opens with four options for creating or editing a project, using Magic iDVD, or using OneStep DVD to record from your camcorder or camera. Magic iDVD lets you set up disc menus and overall themes, then drag any photo or video clips as well as audio files to the app, arrange them how you want, preview everything before you commit, then burn the DVD. One Step DVD lets you take input from your externally connected device and burn it to a DVD. Whether you are creating a slideshow from photos with audio, mixing video and photos, or using all video, iDVD is about as easy to use as you can imagine.

We've been using iDVD for a while, and it still remains the easiest DVD authoring and burning utility for the Mac. The project options let you get more complicated with your projects, while Magic iDVD is a fast authoring system. While expensive third-party apps give you more power and more effects, iDVD will suit most users just fine.