Advice on author/edit software for MPEG2 and DV

[mitchedo]

First post here. ...been reading during my two-day waiting period, but I just can't seem to get my head around this stuff.

I have two distinct needs, I think. I capture MPEG2 with my ATI AIW 9000 card. Some of that, I'd like to quickly edit out commercials and save (author?) to DVD for play in standalone players. This will involve demuxing(?) the single file into bups and ifos, right?

I also have a Sony DV camcorder and would like to edit and author my home videos to DVD for play in standalone players.

The only software I have is Nero Vision Express (the OEM stuff you can buy for $2.00), but it doesn't seem to allow DVD authoring unless you buy the full version.

I've come to the conclusion that there is no single piece of software that I can buy to do quick (no re-encoding) MPEG2 cuts and DV cuts.

It seems Womble is best for quick MPEG2 editing without having to re-render each time. There are two versions, and I'm leaning toward the cheaper one. What do I use to get my single mpg files into DVD format?

For DV, I am considering Adobe Premiere Elements.

Of course, freeware is always welcome too, but I would like something easy and fast. I am eligible for academic pricing on software until December.

I'd also like to be able to convert to quality MPEG4, such as the downloads I get from tvtorrents.com, but that's a question for another time.

[Richard_G]

Download the 30 day free trial of Ulead DVD MovieFactory. This will allow you to transfer footage from your DV camcorder or import mpeg2 files captured with ATI MMC (it can also capture itself). You can cut bits out, create menus, author to DVD spec and burn to disc. If the mpeg2 files are to DVD compliant standard (See What Is DVD at top left), it won't re-encode.

Some will have multiple heart failure at the idea of using an all-in-one but it does exactly what it is intended to do. It may not be quite as flexible as using numerous different programs to carry out each individual stage, but you'll get a result that works first time. Once you are confident in what you are doing, then you can try experimentation.