How to Export iMovie Project to DVD on a Mac

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This wikiHow teaches you how to export an iMovie project to a file and then burn that file onto a DVD. You can burn the file using the Finder if you don't want to play the DVD in a standard DVD player, but you'll need to use a free application called "Burn" if you want to be able to play the DVD like a regular DVD.

Part 1
Part 1 of 3:

Exporting the Project

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  1. Since most Macs no longer have built-in DVD drives, you'll need to buy and use a USB DVD drive. Plug the USB DVD drive's connector cable into one of your Mac's USB ports.
    • You can buy a USB drive called the "Apple USB SuperDrive" from Apple for less than $90.
    • If you buy a DVD drive that has a USB 3.0 cable, you may also need a USB 3.0 to USB-C adapter for your computer.
  2. Make sure that the logo is facing upward when you do so. The DVD must be blank in order for the burn to be successful.
    • If prompted to select an action, just click Ignore .
    • DVD-Rs may be difficult to find in physical store locations, but you can usually find them online.
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  3. This app's icon resembles a movie camera icon on a purple background.
  4. Click File , click Open , and double-click the iMovie project that you want to export to a DVD.
  5. It's in the upper-right corner of the iMovie window. A drop-down menu will appear.
  6. This film strip-shaped icon is in the drop-down menu.
  7. Click the bold text at the top of the pop-up window, then change it to whatever you want to name your file.
  8. If the item to the right of the "Format" heading says "Audio Only", click it, then click Video and Audio .
  9. You can change the following options for your video: [1]
    • Resolution - 1080p is the standard for HD, but you can select a different resolution to cut down on your file's size.
    • Quality - High should be sufficient for most places, but clicking the current quality option will prompt a drop-down menu with different quality options.
    • Compress - Better Quality should be selected here, but you can select Faster if you're in a hurry to export.
  10. It's a blue button in the bottom-right corner of the window. Doing so opens the save location window.
  11. Click the "Where" drop-down box, then click a folder in which you want to save the exported movie file (e.g., Desktop ) and click Save . Your movie will begin exporting into a file.
  12. You'll see this option in a notification that appears in the top-right corner of the screen once your movie finishes exporting. Doing so will take you to the movie's folder, at which point you can proceed with burning the file onto a DVD.
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Part 2
Part 2 of 3:

Burning with Finder

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  1. Click the file that you want to burn onto a DVD to do so.
  2. Press ⌘ Command + C , or click Edit and then Copy , to do this.
  3. In the lower-left side of the Finder window, click your DVD's icon. This will open its folder.
    • You can also double-click the DVD's disc icon on the desktop to do this.
  4. Press ⌘ Command + V or click Edit and then Paste . The movie should appear in the DVD's window.
  5. It's a menu item in the upper-left corner of the screen. A drop-down menu will appear.
  6. You'll find this option in the File drop-down menu. [2]
  7. In the "Disc Name" text field, type in the name that you want to use for your DVD.
  8. Click the "Burn Speed" drop-down box, then click the option that you prefer in the drop-down menu.
  9. It's a blue button in the bottom-right corner of the window. The video will begin burning onto the DVD.
    • Once the burn is complete, you'll hear a chime, and the DVD's icon will disappear from the desktop.
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Part 3
Part 3 of 3:

Burning with Burn for macOS

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  1. This program is several years old, but it's free and it still works. Go to http://burn-osx.sourceforge.net/Pages/English/home.html in your browser, click Download Burn in the lower-right side of the page, and then do the following:
    • Open the Burn ZIP folder by double-clicking it.
    • Click and drag the Burn app icon into the Applications folder.
    • Double-click the Burn app icon.
    • Verify the download .
  2. Double-click the Burn app icon in the Applications folder to do so. The Burn window will open.
  3. It's at the top of the Burn app window.
  4. Click the text field at the top of the Burn window, then replace the current text (usually "Untitled") with whatever you want to name your DVD. [3]
  5. This icon is in the lower-left corner of the Burn window. A Finder window will open.
  6. Click on the left side of the Finder the folder in which your iMovie video is stored, then click the video to select it.
  7. It's in the bottom-right corner of the Finder window. Doing so copies the video into the Burn window.
  8. This option is in the upper-right side of the Burn window.
  9. It's in the drop-down menu.
  10. If you see a Convert option appear after selecting the file type, click it, then follow any on-screen prompts. This will ensure that your DVD file is playable on the DVD.
  11. This option is in the bottom-right corner of the Burn window. Doing so will prompt your file to begin burning onto the DVD.
  12. You may receive a notification when the burn is complete; otherwise, just wait for the progress bar to disappear. Once the burn is complete, you can eject your DVD and play it on any standard DVD player.
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Community Q&A

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  • Question
    My exported iMovie project won't play in either of the DVD players I have. What could cause this problem?
    Community Answer
    The problem could be the type of disc you purchased, or you may have exported as a data DVD or missed a step.
    Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
    Thank you for your feedback.
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    Not Helpful 10 Helpful 24
  • Question
    How do I export a movie if the size is 10GB?
    Community Answer
    Most standard blank DVDs have a capacity of 4.7 GB. You may be able to purchase one with higher storage. The easier option would be to export the movie using a lower resolution, which would shrink the overall size. These options would be in the File->Share option in iMovie. Try using the lowest resolution for a mobile device. You can also try third-party apps to compress movie files. If you have a compilation of video clips, you could also try compressing each of the clips separately and then reloading them in iMovie.
    Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
    Thank you for your feedback.
    If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
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    Not Helpful 3 Helpful 5
  • Question
    What do I do if my Mac keeps spitting the disc out when I insert a DVD?
    Community Answer
    This may be because your disk already has content on it. Try a different empty/blank disk.
    Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
    Thank you for your feedback.
    If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
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      References

      1. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y7TNAyO0fQQ
      2. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9t0guc2Yhd8
      3. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Uws1MReM6TI

      About This Article

      Article Summary X

      1. Insert a blank DVD-R.
      2. Open your project in iMovie.
      3. Click the Share button.
      4. Click File and enter a name.
      5. Save the file in the desired quality.
      6. Navigate to the movie file in Finder.
      7. Drag the movie to your DVD drive.
      8. Choose your settings and click Burn .

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