mac dvd authoring. what are my options?

[geek rock]

from the research i've done:

idvd

dvd studio pro

sizzle

toast

i've dabbled in thee of the four programs (not so much with DVDSP), and i still havent found exactly what im looking for.

i want to capture and encode to half-D1 mpeg-2 format, several 20-30 minute shows. my goal is to have about three hours on a single disc. i will be doing the encoding with ffmpegx.

i'd like to create simple menus with scene selection, and the ability to "play all" - without having to return to the menu after each episode has finished playing.

i know i could do it in DVDSP, but it's an expensive program and looks like it has a pretty steep learning curve.

are there any other (cheaper!) programs out there that will let me do this?

i thought i would ask advice and opinions before searching the net for a ton of software links!

thanks

-Mark

[pixeljammedia]

Sizzle can do what you want. Join the mpeg into a single file and then play it in Quicktime or VLC. Write down the times you want each scene to begin, and when you import the mpeg into Sizzle, use the chapter tab. Place the times down as each chapter and create buttons that jump to each chapter.

[geek rock]

i did try that once, but i got audio sync errors in my joined MPEG. something to do with the way imovie saves its audio tracks..

are there no other programs out there?!

[pixeljammedia]

Don't use iMovie to join your mpegs. Use ffmpegx or mpegtxwrap or mpeg2 works. Then demux the large mpeg. Remultiplex to check synch, but just use the streams (.m2v and your audio) for sizzle.

[MacFan]

Try and look for Final Cut Express, it's the little brother of Final Cut Pro it's worth a look. Also DVDSP is a great app and learning wise you get it quick working by a good tutorial that's delivered with all good Apple software.