Any Recomendations for DVD editing software

[thefox149]

I am finally getting a DVD-r burner (the LG DVD-RW (GMA-4020B))

Can anyone recomend software (easy to use Although I know how to use avisynth I consider myseklf the above average user) I have used Premiere but i don't like the interface. Something nive and simple to make chapters and a menu would be great. and if it burns aswell.....hey thats a bouns

Thanks guys

[Vejita-sama]

You are talking about three different processes in your message:

1) Editing of the video. Adobe Preimere + after effects, Ulead Media Studio and Vegas Video are the popular choices. These allow you to add transitions, cut/paste clips together, etc.

2) Authoring. This is were you convert you MPEG2 files and assorted streams into VOB files. Authoring is where you set chapter points, menus, easter eggs, etc. Several choices exist but the most popular one right now seems to be DVD Lab. Very nice and very cheap. Higher up you have DVD Maestro and Adobe Encore (due out soon).

3) Burning. This is process of getting your authored VIDEO_TS folder from your HD to a DVDR disc. Again lots of choices. While many people use Nero and don't have problems, I personally have had a lot of bad experience with Nero (in the past). I burn with IMGTools + DVD Decrypter as they are freeware and always work. Other popular choices include Record Now and Prassi(sp).

[thefox149]

I understand this but a program like ulead video studio does it all....I want that kind of solution..

[txpharoah]

I understand this but a program like ulead video studio does it all....I want that kind of solution..

The do-it-all programs don't work very well.
You're better off with separate applications.

[phatslug]

Just my personal recomendations..
Cheap as hell compared some other stuff you can get

1) Edit Studio
2) DVD Lab
3) IMGTool + Burning program of choice

And the All-In-One programs really tend to cut corners alot, stick with the specialized ones.

[Bob W]

I understand this but a program like ulead video studio does it all....I want that kind of solution..

I also think most of the do it all programs are not so good.. They either are full of bugs, crash, lock up your computer, or have some critical functions that just don't work. I have tried most of them so I have some experience in this matter. The only program I have found that actually does what it says is NeoDVD Plus which I use all the time for simple captures, editing, adding menu's and burning.
http://www.mediostream.com/products/neodvdplus/index.html

[thefox149]

thanks guys I will look into them. I know that using ulead is pretty crap. But I will look into it

[thefox149]

I have begun to use DVD maestro but I am not too keen on it. I should have stated DVD authoring cause all I really wanna do is make menu's and Chapter (ani,ated menus would be great) I have read about DVDit but I know it does not do animated menus'.....Can anyone suggest another Authoring program I am going to try DVDlab but it might be too advance (just like DVD maestro) at this stage. I know once I have learned more I will naturally progress to the better programs.....

[phatslug]

DVDit forces a re-encode of your videos, even if they're DVD compliant already, so I'd steer clear of that option.

I once got my hands on DVD Maestro for 15min or so, and I must say I find DVDLab much much simpler and easier to use. I don't think you'll have any problems. Making motion menu's is a slightly longer process than it should be, but it is possible to its full extent.

[thefox149]

I have been mucking around with Reel DVD and it is absolulty the shit. Very easy to use and very intutive. Crazy pants has a guide and within 10 mins I had the whole just about worked out. Now to get my hands on vegas to do some pic in pic menus (I know other editor can do this but I am used to the vegas interface as I use sonic foundry acid for my music...loop generation alot of the same concepts are used ....)

[Specialist]

Suggestions:

1. Ulead VideoStudio 7

It is an *editor* for home movie creators that also offers authoring.

The free trial download is here:

http://www.ulead.com/vs/trial.htm

2. Ulead MediaStudio Pro 7

It is a pro *editing* application that includes a special LE version of Ulead DVD MovieFactory 2 - an authoring application that supports AC-3 audio.

The free trial download is here:

http://www.ulead.com/msp/trial.htm

3. Ulead DVD MovieFactory 2

This is an *authoring* application for home movie producers that features some very limited editing capability.

The menu creation tools are more extensive than those in Ulead VideoStudio 7.0.

The trial download is here:

http://www.ulead.com/dmf/trial.htm

4. Ulead DVD Workshop

This is a pro-level authoring application that supports more advanced features such as motion menus.

There is an AC-3 version available.

The free trial download is here:

http://www.ulead.com/dws/trial.htm

Jerry Jones
http://www.jonesgroup.net

[thefox149]

I have ulead video Studio when I got my video card and was not very impressed the encoding ..The final encode looked glossy and rubbery....I would rather spend the time and get the headaches of writing a Avisynth script then encode with CCE then using ulead ...I am not saying the functions are bad in fact I beleive they have the right idea but no actual product behind it... just that compared to other products out there..I don't rate it that highly

Thanks for the suggestions though. I rate Reel DVD I have been using it now for a few hours with Sonic Foundary's Vegas ..and I am not sure how I went with out if before....(I still use Avisynth for full editing but for nice simple effect like pic in pic menu it's great)

[Specialist]

I have ulead video Studio when I got my video card and was not very impressed the encoding.

Probably because you didn't activate the ADVANCED MPEG encoding options.

1. I clicked MY COMPUTER;

2. I clicked my C: drive;

3. I clicked the DOCUMENTS & SETTINGS folder;

4. I clicked the ALL USERS folder;

5. I clicked TOOLS > FOLDER OPTIONS and then clicked the VIEW tab to make sure Windows would show HIDDEN FILES AND FOLDERS;

6. I clicked the APPLICATION DATA folder;

7. I clicked the ULEAD SYSTEMS folder;

8. I clicked the ULEAD VIDEOSTUDIO folder;

9. I clicked the 7.0 folder;

10. I clicked the UVS i-n-i file and then typed ADVANCE=1 under the [VIODRIVER] heading;

11. I saved the i-n-i file;

12. Then I closed Ulead VIDEOSTUDIO 7.0 and re-opened the program.

Now when I enter the project settings, I see a new ADVANCE button under the COMPRESSION tab.

The Ulead MPEG.Now codec is based on the MainConcept SDK.

The ADVANCED menus settings - when used by a skilled individual - can lead to top-notch quality.

The document from MainConcept that explains these ADVANCED menu options is zipped.

It is available for download here:

http://digitalvideo.8m.net/mc-adv-doc.zip

In my opinion, those who claim the MainConcept encoder is not a high quality encoder are...

a. either not aware of the ADVANCED menu options...

...or...

b. ...do not have sufficient documentation to understand how to use them.

Jerry Jones
http://www.jonesgroup.net

[thefox149]

I have used maincincept in the past and found the results to look very glossy...obviously if i had the tweaks document at the time i my results would have been that much better...but i love CCE...it is a stubborn and very temperamently but worth it...

I mught look at mainconcept again thought when i have sometime as it did interest me

[Craig Tucker]

Specialist, are you on commission from Ulead.

[Michelle]

In my opinion, those who claim the MainConcept encoder is not a high quality encoder are...

a. either not aware of the ADVANCED menu options...

...or...

b. ...do not have sufficient documentation to understand how to use them.

Jerry Jones
http://www.jonesgroup.net

I've read the documentation but the only settings I could figure out were those that related to whether the material is interlaced or progressive. How does one go about understanding out how to tweak the other settings?