VideoFactory 2, Video Explosion, Screenblast Movie Studio

[Maynard123]

I am a newbie with my first digital camera (Sony TRV22) and first DVD burner (DRU500AX), and want a very simple DVD authoring program that doesn't require me to read a manual or spend a lot of time on producing DVD's from home movies.

After reading various reviews here, CNET, Amazon.com, Epinions, etc., I think I would like to go with either Video Explosion Deluxe or Screenblast Movie Studio. They are both essentially the same program as VideoFactory 2. However I can't decide between Video Explosion and Screeblast Movie Studio.

If anyone has tried these programs, I would be interested in your opinion. On the "plus" side of Video Explosion, it contains a DVD burner component (Sonic MyDVD 4) whereas with Screenblast Movie Studio, you have to purchase a separate component to make DVD's.

On the over hand, Screenblast is made by Sony, who has a cool Screenblast website with various resources. Video Explosion is "made" by Nova Development, and I wonder if they will support and enhance the product in the long run as much as Sony, who recently bought all of Sonic Foundry's desktop applications such as Vegas, VideoFactory, etc.

Also, since I now have a Sony digital camcorder and DVD burner, perhaps it would be nice to stick with Sony authoring software.

One last dumb thing....Video Explosion Deluxe has extra nice packaging with lots of color pictures,etc....I'm always suspicious of company's that spend too much on the box and packaging. I know....this is a dumb consideration.

So, any advice would be appreciated.

Thanks.

[BJ_M]

screenblast and VideoFactory 2 are the same program (made by sonic foundry for sony in screenblast case - sonic foundry is now owned by sony)..


neither of the programs you mentioned are dvd authoring programs which you say you were looking for ..

they are basic video editors (another good one that is basic and real nice is mainconcept eve) ..

to author a dvd you will need further - an encoder (if the dvd authoring pakage doesnt have one) and a dvd authoring app ..

mydvd is really basic and cheap and seems to have not great review in this forum -- no idea myself .. its ussually what they throw in for free when you get a burner and even some firewire cards (i bet i got 10 of those mydvd's dvds kicking around)

screenblast and VideoFactory 2 (and eve) and very good programs - no idea at all on the other one you mentioned -- doesnt seem to popular ..

[TBoneit]

Didn't the Sonic My DVD 4 come with the Sony burner??

You should already have it.

TTFN

[Maynard123]

Yes, Sonic MyDVD 4 did come with the burner, so I really don't need it unless Video Explosion somehow integrates really well with the version that comes with it.

I really appreciate the clarification about video editors vs. DVD authoring. Being a newbie to this, I would like to either get a all-in-one package that edits video from my camcorder (and integrates stills from my digital camera), as well as burns DVD's. Alternatively, I wouldn't mind having a couple of programs that handle each of these things, if that works better.

I don't think I need a huge amount of flexibility (I'm ok with templates and wizards), but I do want a high quality DVD image in the end.

Thanks for any advice.