i have a MacBook, Mac OS X 2.1 GHz Intel Core 2 Duo 1 G Memory.  with avid new update for mac and the soon xpress pro going away, i want to up grade but don't know if upgrading to the v5.8 or the media composer version.  i notice that there is no good dvd program because sonic dvdit is pc only and fcp you have to buy the full version. (1) is there a dvd software that i can use to burn after i edit my project? is it best to just stay with the v5.8 for now and upgrade to media composer later.  the down load does not include the 3rd party.  the full version has 3rd party but sonic dvdit is pc only. in comparison which would be best?

At this point you'd be better off upgrading to MC.

The only alternative to FCS - DVDSP is Adobe's Encore for Mac. But this is bundled together with Premiere - so you don't really have any other options (iDVD isn't terrible, its just kind of mediocre).

elimuel:

mc does not support leopard right now, so looks like i may have to wait until the release

It isn't officially supported but plenty of people are running it on Leopard right now (I'm one of them)

idvd is not bad but i can not remove the menu so i can do a quick start.

Yes you can (its called a "One-Step DVD" in iDVD's terms) In iDVD 5 or later:

1. Open iDVD
2. Create a New Project
3. Go to "File > One Step DVD from File"
4. Navigate to your QT export from Avid.
5. Burn the disk

That will make an autostart DVD with no menus.

curiosity:

elimuel:

mc does not support leopard right now, so looks like i may have to wait until the release

It isn't officially supported but plenty of people are running it on Leopard right now (I'm one of them)

idvd is not bad but i can not remove the menu so i can do a quick start.

Yes you can (its called a "One-Step DVD" in iDVD's terms) In iDVD 5 or later:

1. Open iDVD
2. Create a New Project
3. Go to "File > One Step DVD from File"
4. Navigate to your QT export from Avid.
5. Burn the disk

That will make an autostart DVD with no menus.

hey curiosity i figured  out the one step dvd thanks so much. now i can finish my project

One thing to keep in mind, Avid software is not supported on the Macbooks. Just MacBook Pro.

thanks, i will keep that in mind, unlike fcp which does not take much  to run [i am working with fcpx] avid is different.  i may go ahead and buy it so that when i do upgrade to macbook pro i will be in good shape.

Also toast work's great

FYI, FCP has similar System Requirements as Avid's and won't run on a MacBook while FCP Express will work on CPUs with built-in Intel Graphics chips.