[Jeff Carpenter]

I don’t use iDVD much, but I’m nearly certain that you need iDVD 6 to make anamorphic DVDs. The Apple website list that as a “new” feature, so I’m guessing 5 can’t do it:

https://www.apple.com/ilife/idvd/features/widescreendvds.html

[Jeff Carpenter]

Are you using iDVD 6? Or another version?

Let us know. The iLife programs all tend to change a LOT from version to version.

[Jeff Carpenter]

Does its paperwork include any kind of IP address? Usually I control routers by typnig its address into a web browser and control it from there.

Or have you done that and that doesn’t work either?

[Jeff Carpenter]

As far as I know, the Quicktime playback component works just fine, but it’s mainly for viewing. If you want to edit it your best bet is to convert the files to DV files and then edit those in iMovie.

That’s an extra step but it’s probably for the best. MPEG is a poor format for editing with even if you DO find something that will let you do it.

Download this free program:

https://www.squared5.com/

It should be able to open your files and it’ll let you export them as just about anything you want. I suggest making a DV quicktime file with it and then editing those files.

[Jeff Carpenter]

Go to EXPORT -> Quicktime Movie. Set it like this:

Current Settings
Audio and Video
No Markers
Make Movie Self-contained UN-CHECKED

Then open the Quick Time player and use it to open that file you’ve exported. Go to File -> Export -> “Movie to iPod” setting.

This is a very easy way to get a nice-looking video without any hastle. Quicktime or iTunes can play it on Mac or Windows.

[Jeff Carpenter]

Switching NLEs can be a bit of a pain. I’d say you should only do it if you have a good reason. So far I haven’t seen one in your post.

Is there anything about Final Cut Pro you don’t like? If so, that could help us give you advice on what to switch to. If, on the other hand, you’re happy with it, why switch?

And what’s your price range for a computer? I find it difficult to believe you’re finding a PC that’s very much cheaper than a Mac. Maybe slightly, but it shouldn’t be enough to matter when it comes to a business decision. If you’re buying a home computer $100 here or there can make a difference, but when it comes to work such amounts shouldn’t deter you from getting what you’re happy working with.

[Jeff Carpenter]

Apple Menu -> System Preferences -> Hardware -> Bluetooth

You can do everything you need in there. At the bottom is the option “Show Bluetooth Status in the Menu Bar.” If you put that on you’ll get an icon by your clock that you can use to turn it on and off quickly.

[Jeff Carpenter]

Make sure it has firewire800 and use that.

The G-Tech G-Drive is probably a nice safe bet. Their G-RAID gives a little more speed for a little higher price. You should compare those 2 products.

Otherwise, any firewire 800 drive will probably do fine. LaCie is popular. Western Digital too.

[Jeff Carpenter]

No, USB2 is not suitable for video. You have a couple of options.

1) If the drive has 2 firewire ports, plug the deck into the drive with firewire and the drive into the computer with firewire.

2) If it only has 1 port, buy a firewire hub and plug the deck and the hard drive into the hub.

3) Buy an adapter cable and plug the hard drive’s Firewire 400 cable into the laptop’s firewire 800 port. They’re backwards compatable as long as you have a 400 to 800 cable. Then use the 400 port for the deck.

[Jeff Carpenter]

Are you worried that your editors might try to use the internet and you want to PREVENT them from doing it? Or are you thinking they’ll stay away from the web on their own, but you’re worried about bad things happening without their knowledge?