THE BEST DVD AUTHORING SOFTWARE...

[GRAMOPHONE]

Hi, I'm new at this and I would like to know which is the best DVD authoring software out there.
I want one that let me include scenes of my production into the main menu and let user chose different language...

Any help in this will be appreciated...

Thanks

GRAMOPHONE

[hudsonf]

When it comes to best it's a personal choice. I would suggest looking in the tool section and trying some of the programs that have free trial periods. I like TMPGEnc DVD Author because I find it easy to use and does what I want. I don't know if it will do the language part; never had a need for different languages.

[glenrey]

I think the best all around author program is TMPGEnc DVD Author.

[steptoe]

Personally, I've tried quite a few, and I'd agree to say that TMPGenc DVD Author is pretty good for simple authoring and newbies

If you want to mix PAL/NTSC or non-standard dimensions, don't use TMPGenc DVD Author, its very, very fussy about standard. It will NOT let you mix PAL/NTSC, so you end up using DVD Patcher to fool it into authoring the mixed mode DVD


As for those that need more control over what is produced, or even just starting out, you may be better off learning how to use DVDLab

If I remember DVDLab lets you do a lot of non-standard DVD work, just issues a warning advising it may not work, so if you need this have a look at DVDLab first

It can do a lot more, so in future if you want more you already have the basics instead of having to learn again

Also DVDLab is now in 2 version, with the pro version going to offer a lot more. Its updated frequently with new additions

It looks very promising

I've used it in the past, and found it fairly easy to pick-up, even without ready the instructions first !!


Without upsetting everybody, avoid ULead DVD Factory. Its terrible, and has a very nasty habit of re-encoding your movies to what it wants to, the settings are very fussy, I used it to start with, but got fed up with the problems and workarounds I had to do to let the software do what I wanted, not what it thought I wanted

Scenarist is way too complicated (for me), but will let you do anything that the DVD standards let you do, professionals only ??

Adobe Encore is professional as well, seriously complex, and runs better with other Adobe software, again, will let you do virtually anything within DVD standards, hence the fact its not got an 'idiot' interface. Take time to learn to do anything

There is a few others, but all seems to be based on the 'idiot' or 'kiddie' interface of point and click, and the software does 95% of teh work, this might be fine for those who want to just shove a movie onto DVD, but if you want any sort of control over the finished product, avoid them


Basically, for starting out, try TMPGenc DVD Author, but have a look at DVDLab first, if you intend doing DVD authoring and in future maybe semi-serious authoring, its worth learning it


Please, before we got another ton of comments of 'You don't know what you're talking about' or 'I think xxxx software is the best', these are my personally comments on what I have tried and tested and prefer

[Craig Tucker]

Ones to try. dvdlab, tmpgenc dvd author and ulead dvd workshop. Maestro is considered by many to be the best but is no longer available.

[jolo]

Sometimes I think this forum shoulld be called the TMPGenc fam club.

TMPGenc is very limited compared to others, althouhg simplicity is an attraction. Highly, highly overated and not thought of much exceot in vcdhelp.com.

The have a combines purchase of TMPGenc Plus, combined with Author for .99. I thing my argument showing that their pricing scheme showed a lot of disloyalty to old time customers.

BUT if you are a user of TMPGenc Plus, THERE WILL BE NO DISCOUNT, I goet so much promotional material is you own one product that is given to loyal customers to have them keep buyin in the family.

The price is $68 for TMPGenc. It support MPEG-1 and MPEG-2 files ONLY, not .vob, no Divx. IT would be worth it of the price was $30, ior at most $35 given its limedit functionality.

There amy, I say try a few of them that suit your needs. I can;t imagine relying just on TMPGenc DVD Author to fit all of your needs.

It is the simplest thoughm, which is nice, but the most limited.

[andie41]

Simple is nice. The older I get, the more I appreciate "simple." TMPGenc DVD Author is my choice. It works, is easy to learn and writes consistent stardard DVD's.

[Milo]

TMPGEnc DVD Author is very simple and easy to use but CANT handle different languages, nor subtitles, nor personal menus etc.
It's a good way to make a DVD in 3 clicks but if you need more control over menus or more than 1 language, forget it.

My personal choice is DVD Maestro (multiple audios, multiple titles, multiple subtitles, multiple angles, complex menus)

Coming from TMPG DVD author, I found it quit complex to use at first, but after I made some menu templates and use them for every DVD, things got easier and DVD creation is now very fast.

[GKar]

TmpGenc is limited, but since all I need it for is turning SatTV captured MPEG2's into DVD's quickly and easily in English, it's perfect for me.

[lordsmurf]

TMPGEnc v.Newest is simple. Serves for simple purposes. $50
DVDit! PE 2.5.4 is easy, has some advanced functions, does most things. $400
If I really want to work and get fancy, I use ReelDVD 3.1. $FREE from donation

Things I have but no longer use:
Encore v1.0 (useless without full DVD spec) $WASTE
Spruce Up v.Final (old) $500
DVD Workshop v1.3 (old) $FREE with computer
NeoDVD v4.1 (makes TMPGenc look complex) $FREE with AVer card

[danteundefined]

DVD Maestro is hard to find and is a headache for anyone that is new. But if you have $5000 bucks burning a hole in your pocket, you might as well get it, if you can find it. Only one on ebay http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=2973415437&category=21166
I would have to recommend TMPGEnc DVD Author to try first.

[andkiich]

DVD-Lab.

[Bodysurf]

Things I have but no longer use:
Encore v1.0 (useless without full DVD spec) $WASTE

Right.

People considering using this software should realize it does not support DVD-Video compliant half-D1 MPEG-2 nor Quarter SIF MPEG-1 video.

[jolo]

To tell you the truth, my honest advice is that most of the vendors allow free downloads and use of a period of 15-30 days.
In a lot of ways, it is not which is the "best", but what suits you the most.
Just for the record. TMPGenc is $68 as youo can see here
http://www.pegasys-inc.com/en/product/tda.html I found it too expensive for the limited functionality it has and was not happy not being offered any discount being a long time TMPGenc Plus user. But then again, the simplicity could be an advantage to you.
Sonic is offering until the 31st, MYDVD Deluxe and throws in their Travel Motion Style Pack for $59.99. It has way more functionality then TMPGenc, but it is more complex.
http://estore.sonic.com/enu/specials/mydvd-deluxe.asp

There is DVD Copy from Intervideo, very simple and allows for out to Divx, VCD, SVCD and DVD and does the shrinking bit to allow a 6MB video to fit on a 4.7GB blank DVD. http://www.intervideo.com/jsp/InterVideoDVDCopyPlatinum_Profile.jsp
Personally I use DVD Decrypter, a must anyway for any of these tools to rip and is free then I use Dr. Divx or Virtualdub to create Divx videos which I can play on my Lite-on LVD-2001 DVD player, which plays Divx movies as well as my PC. Saves a lot of money in media.
http://www.divx.com/divx/drdivx/

The best Value though has to be Nero 6.30 which is just out. It does just about everything, while it is not all that polished yet in the authoring department, it will be. They are having major upgrades out every month now and it is burning, authoring, audio editing, shrinking, etc, etc. I use that when I want something output in a DVD format.
http://www.nero.com/us/index.html

I think all of the ones I mentioned offer free demos and I would think what you want to do and try them and judge which isthe best fit financially and functionally.

[cbasualdo]

OK for all, but if complex and many were not an issue, wich one should provide the best features?
I tried SONIC MyDVD, it´s simple but limited. I want to put a piece of video into a button, have more navigation control, perhaps put diferent lenguajes and so on.
I´m looking for the very profesional.
Any suggest?

[jolo]

Once again, I would look at difference vendros and download their demos.

I know that Sonic has different levals of product, like DVDIt, which is a lot more expensive and more features. I would also check the Ulead line of products as well, they seem to have a variety of products and one of them might suite your needs.

Jon

[proggy]

DVD-lab for me. I am not sure about the multiple languages though because I have never tried it. It is the most flexible of the ones i've tried (tmpgenc, DVDit!, SpruceUp) and costs a lot less than Scenarist! Plus it lets you have full control over the buttons, where the others only have templates. At least that's how the trial verions were.

[jolo]

My last message on this topic is just to use the resources of vcdhelp.com to search out products that might suit your needs, and I can't said this enough, TRY the demo and don't purchase on "vaporware", meaning the promise of ehnahced features on the future. I have gotten burnt on that and will never forget it.

On the home page at

Latest video tools or tool comments

PLus the Tools Section at
http://<br /> <br /> Everything you might want to look it should be listed on the si...> <br /> Jon

[Kdiddy]

Simplicity of TMPG + control of over menus = SpruceUp. That's what I use. I don't have a need for subs, angle, etc. Too bad you can't "technically" get it anymore.