Final Cut Express 1 & 2 and Final Cut Pro 3 & 4: How to export a movie with chapter markers for iDVD

Learn how to export a movie with chapter markers from Final Cut Express versions 1 & 2 and Final Cut Pro versions 3 and 4 to iDVD.
To export chapter markers for iDVD 3 or later, you must first add chapter markers to your finished sequence in Final Cut Express or Final Cut Pro. As you add chapter markers to your sequence, keep the following rules in mind:
To insert chapter markers in your Final Cut Express or Final Cut Pro sequence:
  1. In the Timeline, place the playhead exactly where you want to place the marker.
  2. From the Mark menu, choose Markers and then choose Add. From the Mark menu, choose Markers and then choose Edit to open the Edit Marker window. You can also do this by pressing the M key twice. Note: Make sure nothing is selected in the Timeline or the marker will be added to the clip and will not be seen by iDVD.
  3. Type a descriptive name for the chapter marker.
  4. Click Add Chapter Marker.
  5. Click OK.
  6. Repeat steps 1 through 5 for each chapter marker you want to include, up to 36.
  7. For Final Cut Express 1.0: from the File menu, choose Export and then choose Final Cut Movie.
    • For Final Cut Express 2.0: from the File menu, choose Export and then choose QuickTime Movie.
    • For Final Cut Pro 3: from the File menu, choose Export and then choose Final Cut Pro Movie.
    • For Final Cut Pro 4: from the File menu, choose Export and then choose QuickTime Movie.
    • A Save dialog box appears with export options for the movie.

  8. Choose Chapter Markers from the Markers pop-up menu.
  9. Type a name for your project and select a location for the saved movie. For more information on the other options in this dialog box, see the user's manual for Final Cut Pro or Final Cut Express. Note: To save time and disk space, make sure the "Make Movie Self-Contained" option is deselected unless you will be using the movie on a different computer.
  10. Click Save.


A Final Cut movie, which is a type of QuickTime movie, will be saved with the name you entered and the location you selected. This file will then be ready to be imported into iDVD.

Tip: If you see a <CHAPTER> tag in the Comments field, do not delete it.
Published Date: Feb 18, 2012