Any DVD authoring tools that are geared for quality + size?

[timmus]

Is there a DVD authoring program out there that can do the following?
1. Natively import AVI files, to avoid the trouble of conversion
2. Produce AC3 audio, to eliminate bloat
3. Use only one built-in MPG conversion, to avoid degrading the video more than necessary
4. Shrink the MPG internally to fit the project, to avoid running DVDShrink and using yet another MPG degradation

I have an older TMpegEnc program but it does not import AVIs, forcing me to deal with the MP2+AC3 mess. I looked at their latest version here and, unbelievably, it does not support any sort of AC3 conversion to pare down the bloat.

Am I asking for the holy grail?

Tim

[Baldrick]

tda 3 can convert to dolby digital (ac3).

[Midzuki]

timmus wrote:

2. Produce AC3 audio, to eliminate bloat

Am I asking for the holy grail?

Probably

++++++++++++

[guns1inger]

No decent tool requires step four. Step four is only required is step three is done incorrectly.

Goo authoring tools have no need to encode as all assets should be prepped before authoring.

If you are looking for good all-in-one conversion and authoring tools then you either get average encoding, or average authoring. TDA3 probably has the strongest authoring capabilities, however if you needs are modest, you might also consider

ConvertXtoDVD
FAVC

[thecoalman]

Ulead Movie Factory or Ulead DVD workshop ..

Both have minor editing ability and whole bunch of other features. MF locks you into templated menus.