Seeking replacement for DVD Flick

[Calidore]

I've been using DVD Flick for a few years without major problems. Unfortunately, after I read dalek7's post about audio sync problems, that started happening to me also. (Thanks a bunch, dude.) So, while in general I've found the program ease-of-useful, I would like to see if there's a quality alternative out there.

Basically, what I like about DVD Flick is its simplicity. I just create DVD-compatible MPEG2 files myself with WinFF, use DVD Flick for the authoring, and ImgBurn for the burning. I have no interest at all in putting out professional-looking DVDs, just in creating "informal" ones quickly and easily.

All I want is software that will 1) copy ffmpeg-created DVD-MPG files into a burnable DVD layout with a minimum of unnecessary further processing 2) with chapters every 10 minutes or so, and 3) create a simple menu of the contents. Most of the stuff I convert is old and fullscreen aspect ratio, but the ability to detect/switch to widescreen would be good.

Any recommendations?

Best,

Calidore

[guns1inger]

If you are happy creating the files with ffmpeg then all you need is an authoring tool. For the simple authoring you have specified, muxman is probably enough. GUIForDVDAuthor or DVD Styler are other options.

For me, I prefer HCEnc for encoding over ffmpeg, so I use AVStoDVD to do the whole process - encoding and authoring - and have no sync issues.

[Calidore]

Had a look at AVStoDVD, and that also includes direct copy of compliant streams (both video and audio -- DVD Flick inexplicably only does video), so I gave it a shot. Chapter settings and basic menus were as easy as Flick, and the authored result had perfect sync. Looks like I have a new DVD creator. Thanks!

Question: When I start the program, it complains of not finding VB6 common controls. This didn't seem to affect the functionality when I used it this time, but is this something I should deal with?

Best,

Calidore

[ggtop]

Have a look at this: https://forum.videohelp.com/threads/277852-AVStoDVD-release-2-3-1-(July-2010)?p=2006486...=1#post2006486 regarding VB6.

ggtop

[guns1inger]

Addressed here. Sounds like you downloaded the no install zip package, and not the installer version. If you use the installer, these controls will be installed as well. The no install version assumes you have these already.

[Calidore]

Thanks for the thread pointer, but that didn't help. I did use the installer.

I've just tried uninstalling completely, including the registry entries and manually deleting the AVStoDVD folder from Program Files, and reinstalling, but the error still comes up. I then completely uninstalled it again and on reinstallation manually checked the ActiveX controls box (in case that was the culprit), but still the error comes up. Is it possibly a bug in the installer that's causing it to miss a flag or something? And does it really matter anyway?

Best,

Calidore

[Moontrash]

DVDauthorgui

so simple to use it's sad

[guns1inger]

Head back to the AVStoDVD thread and report it there. The author checks regularly and will answer your questions and try to resolve the issue.

[liquid217]

DVDauthorgui

so simple to use it's sad

I think I have found my new tagline

[_MrC_]

Thanks for the thread pointer, but that didn't help. I did use the installer.

I've just tried uninstalling completely, including the registry entries and manually deleting the AVStoDVD folder from Program Files, and reinstalling, but the error still comes up. I then completely uninstalled it again and on reinstallation manually checked the ActiveX controls box (in case that was the culprit), but still the error comes up. Is it possibly a bug in the installer that's causing it to miss a flag or something? And does it really matter anyway?

At startup (during splash screen display) AVStoDVD checks if all required software is installed and if VB ActiveX 'mscomctl.ocx' is located in the default SYSTEM folder.

What OS are you using? I am not sure that my routine to identify the SYSTEM folder is W7 compliant.

BTW, if you deselect splash screen at startup ('Preferences'/'Misc'/'No Splash Screen at startup'), required software check will be skipped.



Bye

[Calidore]

Thanks for the thread pointer, but that didn't help. I did use the installer.

I've just tried uninstalling completely, including the registry entries and manually deleting the AVStoDVD folder from Program Files, and reinstalling, but the error still comes up. I then completely uninstalled it again and on reinstallation manually checked the ActiveX controls box (in case that was the culprit), but still the error comes up. Is it possibly a bug in the installer that's causing it to miss a flag or something? And does it really matter anyway?

At startup (during splash screen display) AVStoDVD checks if all required software is installed and if VB ActiveX 'mscomctl.ocx' is located in the default SYSTEM folder.

What OS are you using? I am not sure that my routine to identify the SYSTEM folder is W7 compliant.

BTW, if you deselect splash screen at startup ('Preferences'/'Misc'/'No Splash Screen at startup'), required software check will be skipped.



Bye

Cool, now I don't need to repost in that other thread.

I'm using XP SP3, fully patched on an i7 system with 4 gigs RAM. Searching my system, I have mscomctl.ocx in two places: the Windows\System folder and \Program Files\AVStoDVD\Lib. Both are version 6.1.97.86, and (just to be anal) a duplicate file checker shows them to be identical.

So I guess the question is, does AVStoDVD actually know the file is there and use it, meaning the error is in error?

Best,

Calidore

[_MrC_]

I'm using XP SP3, fully patched on an i7 system with 4 gigs RAM. Searching my system, I have mscomctl.ocx in two places: the Windows\System folder and \Program Files\AVStoDVD\Lib. Both are version 6.1.97.86, and (just to be anal) a duplicate file checker shows them to be identical.

So I guess the question is, does AVStoDVD actually know the file is there and use it, meaning the error is in error?

Something could be wrong with the mscomctl.ocx detection routine. May I ask you to open a DOS prompt and write

dir %windir%\system32\mscomctl.ocx

and report here the result?

Thanks



Bye

[Calidore]

Something could be wrong with the mscomctl.ocx detection routine. May I ask you to open a DOS prompt and write

dir %windir%\system32\mscomctl.ocx

and report here the result?

Thanks



Bye

That gave me a "file not found"; however the file is there. It has the System attribute set, which makes it invisible to the standard "dir" command. However, simply adding the /a parameter shows all files regardless of attribute, so...

dir /a %windir%\system32\mscomctl.ocx

...works fine.

Does that help?


Best,

Calidore

[_MrC_]

You get it! Very brilliant.

Next release will take care of system or hidden files as well

Thanks



Bye