[Nobody]

Hi, could use a bit of expert advice. Upgrading from my old imac and need to go portable. Considering either the 14" 933mhz ibook or new 15" powerbook. Problem is I need to burn motion picture/video DVD's. I don't necessarily need all of the power of the powerbook, I'll mostly be doing high speed internet, ipod, word processing, PhotoShop and burning DVD's.
I've been researching getting an ibook with an external DVD burner (a Lacie etc.) but keep hearing that I'll run into all sorts of technical problems, from mac software like DVD Studio Pro not being compatible with a non Superdrive burner, to burned DVD's not playing on consumer machines (although I've been hearing this is a problem anyway with Superdrive authored DVD's.) These DVD's are for professional application and need to be as perfect and user friendly as possible. Let me know if you think I need to bite the bullet and throw down $3grand for the Powerbook (with Applecare) or if I can get by with a significantly cheaper ad-hoc system?
Thanks
C

[braindoc]

one solution is to get an aftermarket superdrive ($140) and an external Firewire case (~$50) then use Toast 6 to do your DVD burning. I went this route because I like using Toast more than discburner. Also I want the ability to swap out to faster drives as they become available. Toast also supports a wider variety of aftermarket burners.
I have not had any problems with DVDs I've created playing on consumer DVD players.

[Nobody]

Thanks for the response. Are you running a G3 or G4? What OS? Are you outputting video stuff to DVD's or more storage type applications?
Thanks

[maxnuss]

DVD Studio Pro is compatible with external burners. It is iDVD that only works with the SuperDrive.
~Max