without additional hardware, what is the most efficient way to get footage from mini-dv to DVD. is there any way to capture right to mpg2? any other way besides capturing and dumping it to compressor?

The MOST efficient way of getting miniDV to DVD is via a DVD Recorder with firewire input.

Now, if you want to author a DVD with menus and such, capturing in iMovie or FCE/FCP and authoring in iDVD is simple. DVD Studio Pro is a little more involved.

Or, if you already own Toast, you can capture via firewire and burn a DVD with a simple menu structure.

yeah, thats what i figured. i'll just stick capturing in fcp, compressing in compressor and creating an autoplay in dvd sp.

a client has 7hrs of mini-dv they want on dvds. not something i normally do but could be worthwhile to purchase a dvd recorder. any recommendations?