Which DVD Authoring Program?

[scottrwn98]

What is a good program to author DVD with? Yes, I have asked this before.

I am currently using a DEMO of ULEAD DVD Workshop (limits only 5 seconds of menu animation and background AVI's) But I like how it has a first play and I can have TITLE AVI transistions in between menus (like the Star Wars DVD). I also like it because it will support AC3 and multi audio MPEG's. Is it worth spending the $200 to buy more animated menu time?

I also have Sonic VEGAS 4 + DVD Architect. Now I don't see a first play option, and the back ground animation from an MPEG is a little choppy (Could be from the preview and might play faster after burned). People have told me this program is good to use, but can you use MPEG and AVI video transistions in between menus and before your actually movie starts? Can you import multipule audio MPEG's? (I know AC3 is compatable becase VEGAS supports this).

DVDit seems to be simple for the simple use. No animation background and I don't think uses AC3.

ULEAD Movie Factory doesn't support any audio I use unless its MP2 or something.

DVD Lab is good too ... but there is no PREVIEW button to see if all of my movies are linked correctly. Am I stupid, or is there no preview for DVd lab?

Suggestions? What is the best for authoring commercial DVD's or Independent Film sales?

Thanks a bunch!

[spidey]

DVDit does support ac3 as well as motion clips from 2.5 and up.

I'd highly recommend any of the www.sonic.com products over anything and everything else.

I use Sonic DVD Producer v3.1.1. It also lets you mix and match title sets (unlike DVDit) which will let you mix and match Mpeg 1 and Mpeg 2 source clips. Anything below DVD Producer renders out the image to 1 TS, not individual.

DVD Producer is pretty much an up dated version of DVD Maestro, so if you can get Maestro, that'd also be very good

[housepig]

DVD Lab is good too ... but there is no PREVIEW button to see if all of my movies are linked correctly. Am I stupid, or is there no preview for DVd lab?

There is an option in the newer version (1.21 I believe) which will allow you to follow your navigation through the menus for testing purposes.

but it also compiles pretty quickly (most of my projects, even with 8 or 9 menus, first play movies, etc. compile in about 5 minutes), so if you have PowerDVD or another software dvd player that can play from hard disk files, you can check your work before burning.

you should also check out www.creativecow.com - they have a forum and tutorials specifically for Vegas Video + DVD Architect. You might find some good tips there.

[scottrwn98]

does DVD Producer allow MPEGs in between Menus ... like if I select "chapter select", it will take the menu and animate with a cross fade or something with a "whoosh" sound and display my chapters ... ?

Does DVD Architect allow a FIRST PLAY mpeg for the intro before the first menu and can you have MPEG's in between menus as stated above?

Money is an object so I wnat to invest in a good DVD authoring program that is not the typical three menu setup "Capture My Home Movies", "Set Menu's for My Home Movies", "Burn my Home Movies on a DVD so I can show my family"

Thanks everyone !

[housepig]

check here - you can download a manual for DVD Architect.

I'm pretty sure (based on other posts about it) that it will do what you want.

http://www.sonicfoundry.com/download/step1.asp?CatID=12

[MJPollard]

Does DVD Architect allow a FIRST PLAY mpeg for the intro before the first menu and can you have MPEG's in between menus as stated above?

No MPEGs between menus, sadly, but there is a first play MPEG option available. In the File menu, select Properties; one of the tabs will have options to specify first-play video/audio (sorry I can't be more exact, but I'm at work right now ).

[scottrwn98]

I'm at work too. I love Ulead DVD Workshop and have been happy with it ... but the damn demo. DVD workshop allows MPEGS between menus (but the MPEG is 720x480 and the menu must be 640x480 other wise the aspect ratio of the menu background image will be squished)

SOME ONE PLEASE CORRECT ME, but I believe DVD Workshop is at the top of my list. Am I crazy or is there a real kick-ass program out there that can do a lot?

Thanks everyone !

[scottrwn98]

Hey HousePig ... thanks for the Movie ideas on your signature. My friend is bringing over Deranged (its on the same DVD as Motel Hell) ... Ever see Sleepaway Camp, Hills Have Eyes 2, Night Train to Terror, or Toxic Avenger?

Sorry if off the subject,

[andkiich]

I'll also suggest checking out DVD-Lab. It's got a full-function 30 day trial, so you can really see what it's all about. My only other experience is with DVDComplete. It's OK, very limited in the options you get and it doesn't support half D1.