DVD Authoring

[Sphexi]

I have a lot of home videos, that kind of thing that I'm burning to DVDs. I currently have Nero (came with my drive) but for DVD burning I gotta pay the extra fee for the license. I also have DVDSanta, which works great for converting most video files straight to DVD format, but doesn't allow for choosing where chapters are split or making a menu system.

What I'm looking for is something that either will take an existing set of DVD video files (VOB and the like) or an ISO of a DVD video, and allow me to chop it into chapters with a menu, and rewrite that part of the files.

Or, a program that will author the entire thing from raw video files, specifically MPG/AVI files, which I've already edited and all of that, and allow me to make a menu system for it all.

Any suggestions?

 

[mundane]

DVD Lab Pro is a powerful DVD Authoring program. It costs a bit (IIRC 99-149), but has a 14-day trial for you to get the feel of the software. Combine that with TMPGEnc (either older free version or new trial version), and you should be set.

 

[AnitaPeterson]

Bleh!

No offense, but DVD-Lab is full of bugs... mediachance is really gauche in addressing these issues. digitalfaq.com really nailed them for being lousy. I had nothing but trouble with that program...

For basic DVD menu authoring, try TMPGEnc DVD Author, or Ulead DVD MovieFactory. Actually, Ulead makes an even better program, called DVD Workshop, which is top-notch.... but it may be too expensive. Both Ulead and TMPGEnc have always created discs playable in any set-top box; the company I woked for until last year was making discs with newsclips for a variety of government clients, and the Ulead-authored discs never had any glitch.

 

[Tostada]

TMPGEnc DVD Author is a great program. The first time I used it I thought it was kind of cheap looking, but the more I use it the more I think it's better than some of the most expensive commercial software.

 

[CalvinHobbes]

TMPGEnc DVD Author is a great program.

:thumbsup:

 

[episodic]

Originally posted by: CalvinHobbes

TMPGEnc DVD Author is a great program.

:thumbsup:

as much as I hate QFT . . . .


QFT

 

[Sphexi]

Originally posted by: episodic

Originally posted by: CalvinHobbes

TMPGEnc DVD Author is a great program.

:thumbsup:

as much as I hate QFT . . . .


QFT

Unfortunately, it doesn't seem to support any kind of input file other than MPG, which really isn't that great if I have lots of AVI files and that's kind of required.

 

[Evander]

Then maybe you'd like TMPEGEnc DVD EasyPack:
http://www.tmpg-inc.com/product/deps.html
It is lighter weight (but still really good) versions of 3 of their programs all in one $50 box. It's what I own and use, but you can't go avi->dvd in one step (first convert with the included Video Encoder Express, then author with the included DVd Author).

Edit: Also I'd like to mention their is no fvckin' product activation in the EasyPack , unlike it's big brothers...

 

[QueBert]

I broke down and bought Adobe Encore 1.5 off EBay. I paid $150 for it. Which isn't cheap by any means, but is waaay lower then Adobe's MSRP. The program is pretty fresh. Adobe has a trial I think. This is for pretty high level authoring. (Animated menus, animated buttons) it can import a varity of different video and audio formats. I can't get it to do DIVX/XVID at all, it craps out if I make a animated button with a Divx clip. I'm still learning how to use it, so far I give it 2 thumbs up. can't wait for version 2, or whatever they put out next

 

[Continuity28]

Originally posted by: AnitaPeterson
Bleh!

No offense, but DVD-Lab is full of bugs... mediachance is really gauche in addressing these issues. digitalfaq.com really nailed them for being lousy. I had nothing but trouble with that program...

For basic DVD menu authoring, try TMPGEnc DVD Author, or Ulead DVD MovieFactory. Actually, Ulead makes an even better program, called DVD Workshop, which is top-notch.... but it may be too expensive. Both Ulead and TMPGEnc have always created discs playable in any set-top box; the company I woked for until last year was making discs with newsclips for a variety of government clients, and the Ulead-authored discs never had any glitch.

I use DVD Lab PRO, and don't encounter bugs. I've made many successful, COMPLEX DVDs that simply aren't possible to create with many/any other programs that don't cost $20,000+. I don't care what any website says, the first hand results I get mean more.

The other programs just aren't as flexible. What version of DVD Lab PRO did you try?

Also, as far as discs not working in set top players, you won't have a problem if you use COMPLIANT video and audio streams, and use blank media you know works at the appropriate burn speed. Some of those other programs will reencode and butcher the quality of your source even if it's fully compliant already, I'd rather the authoring program not touch my assets, besides muxing. The downside, of course, is that if you send video/audio to DVD Lab PRO that's not really out of spec, but out of spec for the application, you'll run into problems.

 

[nweaver]

I got Ulead DVD Factory with my capture card, and it works great. I edit the video in the Ulead Video Studio app (also free with the card) and then pull the video into the DVD Studio to create chapters/burn.

 

[GullyFoyle]

Consider also Pinnacle Studio, sometimes cheap after rebates.
I thought the interface for editing, transitioning, and adding music was very intuitive (I used version 8). They are up to version 10 now.

 

[Jeff7]

I use Ulead Videostudio 9. I'm not sure if it's the best, but it definitely gets the job done. Version 9 can process AVI, Quicktime, MPEG 1/2, Realtime, and a few others. It can do interlaced or progressive output, as well as AC3 audio with MPEG2 files. The MPEG2 encoder now has a 2-pass mode.
Version 9 also added the ability to make motion/sound menus.

 

[doan]

I've always had good luck with the TMPG Inc products