DVD playable on a PC?

[DougY]

This is probably a stupid question, however..
I just created a musical slideshow from our vacation, and burned it to a DVD.
Our kids only have a PC, so will the DVD I created on my iMac play on their computer? Do they need any special program installed?
Thanks

 

[mkrishnan]

Video DVDs should play fine on PCs. Depending on the version of Windows, you may or may not need special software. Windows XP and some versions (I believe) of Vista and Windows 7 do not include the codec for playing DVDs, and so they force you to use a third party program. Most computers that came with DVD players have some kind of DVD playing program, though. If the computer's something that doesn't have a built in DVD player (like a netbook), the chances are greater that it doesn't include a DVD player software. In that case, VLC is a free option (http://videolan.org).

 

[spinnerlys]

Is it a video DVD that can be played in those video DVD players under your TV?

Did you use (iMovie +) iDVD to create the DVD?

If so, it's a video DVD, that can be played everywhere a DVD player or drive is available. Just make sure the PC has a DVD player software, VLC Player can do that for instance.

 

[DougY]

I used iPhoto

Is it a video DVD that can be played in those video DVD players under your TV?

Did you use (iMovie +) iDVD to create the DVD?

If so, it's a video DVD, that can be played everywhere a DVD player or drive is available. Just make sure the PC has a DVD player software, VLC Player can do that for instance.

I used iPhoto to create the musical slideshow. The family I'm sending it to, will be playing it on their PC, not on the TV.

 

[spinnerlys]

I used iPhoto to create the musical slideshow. The family I'm sending it to, will be playing it on their PC, not on the TV.

How did you burn the DVD? Did you use iDVD or did you just export the slideshow out of iPhoto and burnt the resulting file?
If it is the latter, just download the Windows version of QuickTime and burn it onto the DVD too, so that the recipient can install QT and is able to see the file.

 

[DougY]

Exported and burned

How did you burn the DVD? Did you use iDVD or did you just export the slideshow out of iPhoto and burnt the resulting file?
If it is the latter, just download the Windows version of QuickTime and burn it onto the DVD too, so that the recipient can install QT and is able to see the file.

I exported it out of iPhoto and burned the file.

 

[spinnerlys]

I exported it out of iPhoto and burned the file.

Then the recipients most likely need the QuickTime Player.
Send them this link and let them download and install it, if they haven't already.