Authoring program recommendations

[digitalfreaknyc]

Hey all,

Looking to start using another authoring program. Seems my HD DVD player doesn't like a lot of the discs that I've authored using DVD-Lab for some reason but it has no problem with the menu-less and simple ones i've done with TMPGEnc DVD Author.

Can anyone recommend a DVD authoring program similar to DVD-lab that is simple but yet allows me to make my own menus and not rely on pre-created ones?

[Baldrick]

i would try ulead dvd workshop

[digitalfreaknyc]

OK but it can do 5.1 sound and you have flexibility with creating your menus? multiple audio tracks? I've tried it before but it didn't seem as user-friendly as DVD-Lab.

And what's the difference between moviefactory and dvd workshop.

[nbarzgar]

Yes, it can do AC3 5.1 audio.

There is quite a difference in menu-creation probabilities there. In DVD Workshop you MAY use the menu-templates and then modify them, or start from scratch creating menus, still, or animated, chapter menus or not.

In Moviefactory there are 'sweet' templates, but modifying them is a more roundabout matter and certain things can't be modified at all*, since Moviefactory is meant for the beginners or those that prefer to use what is ready-made.

You can have multiple audio tracks and subtitles in DVDWorkshop. The only small disadvantage is the subtitle rendering, it's not as good as that of DVD-lab Pro or, e.g. DVDArchitect.

All mentioned programmes are referenced in the 'Tools' section of this site, with guide-links added. The guides usually giva a good impression of what you would be dealing with.


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*at the moment the details escape me, tried it only once.

[digitalfreaknyc]

Thanks for the advice!

Question though: why can movie factory create HD DVD's and workshop can't if WS is supposed to be more of a "pro" program?

[nbarzgar]

Good question, don't know, have not been on the lookout for that feature...

Are you SURE, it can't? Check your version... Look out for patches on Ulead's website.

EDIT: Checked up myself, on their website Ulead mention three products prepared to deal with HD DVD: Moviefactory, MediaStudio and VideoStudioPro. http://www.ulead.com/spotlight/pure_hd/runme.htm#3 EDIT.

[digitalfreaknyc]

Good question, don't know, have not been on the lookout for that feature...

Are you SURE, it can't? Check your version... Look out for patches on Ulead's website.

EDIT: Checked up myself, on their website Ulead mention three products prepared to deal with HD DVD: Moviefactory, MediaStudio and VideoStudioPro. http://www.ulead.com/spotlight/pure_hd/runme.htm#3 EDIT.

But not "Workshop" which we were originally discussing