What is the best DVD Authoring software?

[darkcyber]

What is the best software to burn dvd's with? I was using Sonic MYDVD, but everyone says that it makes the audio files so large that it cuts down of your video file size you can use.

So, I would like some suggestions on what's the best thing to use. I'm capturing video from my satellite to my pc with ASUS digital vcr into an mpeg2 format. So, what would be to the program to burn that to dvd and play as a movie?

I'm testing out DVD Workshop from Ulead right now.

Thanks!
DarkCyber

[Baldrick]

It would help if you told us what features you would like to have(menus, chapters, editing etc) and how much you are willing to pay.

My favorite right now is TMPGENC DVD Author...cause it works perfect with my WinTV PVR captured MPEG2 files....

[mkelley]

Yes and if audio file size is a problem, you need a program that will work with AC3 files (Ulead's DVD Workshop with AC3 does this, as well as DVDLab).

DVDLab, at $79, is my hands down favorite in terms of both power and ease of use. There is a fully-functional 30 day demo available that you ought to at least try before you settle on your final software (although nothing is final -- as much as I love DVDLab, I intend to check out Adobe Encore when it comes out, as I love all of Adobe's products. Then again, at $500 it's six times or so as expensive as DVDLab :>).

[borghe]

Scenarist if you can afford it or work at a place that has it.

Otherwise I have tried out both TMPEG DVD Author and DVD Workshop and enjoyed both of those and they are reasonably affordable. If you have more money than that but not enough for Scenarist there is always ReelDVD which is under $1000.

[housepig]

I'll second mkelly - DVD Lab is very easy to use, but very deep with features once you start digging. And a 30 day full-function demo can't be beat.

[Specialist]

Have a look at ULEAD's offerings.

I personally favor the AC-3 version of DVD WORKSHOP:

http://www.ulead.com/dws/ac3.htm

Jerry Jones
http://www.jonesgroup.net

[darkcyber]

Well, if any of that mattered I would have included it in my post. I just want something that will take an mpeg2 video file that I have recorded from digital VCR and burn it to dvd. Sonic MyDvD requires that I have to substract for the audio size to get the correct video size. e.g. if I break a file down into two different files...if my audio file is 1.3 gigs, then I have to take and subtract that 1.3 gigs from 4.4 gigs and that's how big my video file can be.

I've just tried DVD Workshop and it burned a dvd, but then the dvd will not play and PowerDvD doesn't recognize the format it says. It did burn the disc, I can see where it did and DvD Workshop showed there was only 600 megs of free space after the burn.

I want something that will burn a file without having to go through re-encoding and that is fairly simple. MyDvD is really simple to use...but he audio is to large. If I have a 3.8 gig mpeg2 I recorded...I want to be able to burn that file to dvd...that's about the bottom line

DarkCyber

[darkcyber]

It would help if you told us what features you would like to have(menus, chapters, editing etc) and how much you are willing to pay.

My favorite right now is TMPGENC DVD Author...cause it works perfect with my WinTV PVR captured MPEG2 files....

Well, I have downloaded and tried Tmpgenc DVD Author...what does it do? It doesn't burn dvd's from what I could figure out...it just makes some kind of an output file. So, if it just makes an output file, then still what am I going to use to burn it with? I'm trying to replace Sonic My
DvD as my burning software.

DarkCyber

[housepig]

in that case, you need to get a dvd player that will play mpeg2 files directly.

I have an Apex 1010w that will.

Otherwise, you need to author the disc, and that's going to be more involved than burning the mpeg file to dvd.... but not much.

You can certainly import the mpeg into DVD Lab, set it as first play, set no menu, no chapters, nothing - it will allow you to not demux the file (although if it's not compliant, your disc won't work). It takes a couple of minutes to compile the .vob and .ifo files, then you'll be ready to burn.

You can even set it up to burn as soon as the compilation is finished.

simple enough?

[housepig]

It doesn't burn dvd's from what I could figure out...it just makes some kind of an output file. So, if it just makes an output file, then still what am I going to use to burn it with? I'm trying to replace Sonic My
DvD as my burning software.

Take your final dvd files, make an .iso file of them with ImgTool, then burn the .iso with DVD Decrypter. Both in the Tools section, both freeware.

Otherwise, I'd suggest Nero to burn the final files. Or use DVD Lab and burn from within that prog.

[handyguy]

Scenarist is about $39,000 Even then I just stared me in the face & I couldn't figure it out

[darkcyber]

Well, I have a Sony DVP-NS715P that will play about anything, but I would like to get it to where if I needed to play it on something else I could.

So, doesn't seem to be an easy way to do that...guess I'm just going to have to do the encoding and the usually stuff I do on my dvd rips.

Let me ask a different question...what is the best format to capture (record) my video from satellite to get it onto dvd the easiest way. Maybe mpeg2 isn't the best solution.

DarkCyber

[Yorel]

It would help if you told us what features you would like to have(menus, chapters, editing etc) and how much you are willing to pay.

My favorite right now is TMPGENC DVD Author...cause it works perfect with my WinTV PVR captured MPEG2 files....

Well, I have downloaded and tried Tmpgenc DVD Author...what does it do? It doesn't burn dvd's from what I could figure out...it just makes some kind of an output file. So, if it just makes an output file, then still what am I going to use to burn it with? I'm trying to replace Sonic My
DvD as my burning software.

DarkCyber

TMPGEnc DVD Author will take your MPEG's and creat the Audio_ts and Video_ts folders, which you then drag and drop in Easy CD Creator 6 (or your favorite burning software). I find that a 4 gig file will convert in about 20 to 25 minutes on my Athlon 1.4. Burning time on a single speed is about an hour, less on faster media. You can still add chapter points in TMPGEnc. All in all, from the finished capture to the burned disk with 1X media, max, 1.5 hour.

[darkcyber]

yorel,

Thanks! I was just playing with tmpgenc dvd author and looks like a nice program. Does anyone know if you can burn those files onto dvd+r as well. I know they say the output can be burned onto dvd-r.

Although I'm using mpeg2 and thought I was recording at 720 x 480, looks like digital vcr captured it in 640 x 480, so I has to be recoded...tmpgenc will not work with it in 640 x 480.

Digital vcr will record in mpeg1, 2 and asv2-avi...anyone any better than the other for getting it to dvd?

Can someone give me a link to a bitrate calculator for dvd burning? I've looked on this site and all I see is for divx, avi, vcd and svcd.

DarkCyber

[Baldrick]

yorel,

Thanks! I was just playing with tmpgenc dvd author and looks like a nice program. Does anyone know if you can burn those files onto dvd+r as well. I know they say the output can be burned onto dvd-r.

Although I'm using mpeg2 and thought I was recording at 720 x 480, looks like digital vcr captured it in 640 x 480, so I has to be recoded...tmpgenc will not work with it in 640 x 480.

Digital vcr will record in mpeg1, 2 and asv2-avi...anyone any better than the other for getting it to dvd?

Can someone give me a link to a bitrate calculator for dvd burning? I've looked on this site and all I see is for divx, avi, vcd and svcd.

DarkCyber

Yes you can burn the tmpgenc output to dvd-r,dvd-rw,dvd+r or dvd+rw with most burning software, in the burning software you choose dvd-video and the video_ts folder that tmpgenc have created.

dvd bitrate calculator www.dvdrhelp.com/calc

[darkcyber]

Got it! I will gave this a try and see if it will work. One movie I'm working on is 1 hour and 40 minutes long = 3.8 gigs when recorded from digital vcr. I ran the bitrate calculater and it said to use a bitrate of 5858, wow...that is a lot higher than anything I've used before, but I've been burning with Sonic MyDvD so that's probably been my problem.

I'm using tmpgenc to encode this file, because digital vcr recorded it at 640 x 480...once I get that fixed I will run Tmpgenc DvD Authoring and get that file saved. Then I will try burning that file with something...I've had problems with DvD Workshop making me some coasters So, I going to have to figure something else out.

Many thanks everyone,
DarkCyber

[darkcyber]

Ok, my recorded video is 640 x 480 and tmpgenc dvd author will not work with that. So, my question is: I'm going to have to use tmpgenc or mainconcept to encode this at a higher resolution and then use tmpgenc dvd author?

Or is there some way that dvd author will do that also.

DarkCyber

[binks120]

dude stop flapping most of what u r asking is in the howto sections but here goes anyway
imho i would use tmpge to encode the mpeg to dvd spec using the kdvd template for ntsc/pal as req this will give u an mpeg 2 dvd compliant file
then drop this into sonic , sonic wont encode the file as u already made it compliant all it will do is make the video_ts folder and burn it to ur disc
i use this method as its easy it works and the discs play on all the machines i chuck them at inc ps2

[spidey]

Sonic DVD Producer v3.1.1

Flawless, flexible, a perfect authorer

[Savant]

While this thread is up, perhaps I might ask what people think.

I'm using DVDitPE (2.5) and I'm wondering if this is the best software for my needs. I definately wanted a package that would encode audio to dolby digital so I can save space. What would be nice (but is not supported on DVDitPE) is motion menus and other 'fancy stuff'. (subtitles, multiple audio tracks etc)

I'm cuious if there has been a drop in prices for DVD authoring packages since I don't want to spend as much as I did for DVDitPE. I basically want a package that will encode dolby digital audio (although I am not using AC3 source material, I just want the space savings) and I would also like motion menus. The rest is pretty well optional. (aside from it being a reasonable price.)

Any thoughts?

Regards,

Savant

[Deaks]

I'm trying to decide on a package myself. Most of what I'm doing is putting VCD files onto DVDr with a menu screen which is easy enough with Ulead's DVD Factory, but that won't allow you to have motion menu screens. The next step up from Ulead is Workshop which doesn't really have any nice layout tools so can be a pain just getting text lined up and evenly spaced. Then I played with Sonic Foundry's Architect by the re-rendering of VCD files was awful on my test disk so I'm looking around again!

I want:

pre-menu video clip
menu-background video clip
text and/or thumbnail content links
decent support for VCD on DVD

[Specialist]

Actually, the ULEAD products are offered to two different types of users.

1. Ulead DVD WORKSHOP is aimed at pros.

Menu creation tools are robust for those who master them.

Many FREE tutorials are located here:

http://www.ulead.com/learning/dws.htm

In addition, there is a very good new book about Ulead DVD WORKSHOP that helps illustrate how flexible the menu creation tools really are:

http://www.ulead.com/partner/learntool/dwsbook/runme.htm

Even some PRO users of Ulead DVD WORKSHOP overlook the step required to enable ADVANCED MPEG encoding options.

To enable these options on a Windows 2000 or Windows XP computer, simply click MY COMPUTER>C: DRIVE>DOCUMENTS & SETTINGS>ALL USERS>APPLICATION DATA>ULEAD SYSTEMS FOLDER>ULEAD DVD WORKSHOP FOLDER>1.0 FOLDER>DVDWS (INI FILE).

Then add ADVANCE=1 under the [VIODRIVER] heading.

Save the change.

Then reboot.

When you open Ulead DVD WORKSHOP afterward, you will be able to enter the DISC TEMPLATE OPTIONS and click a new ADVANCED button that appears under the COMPRESSION tab to access a new array of custom encoding parameter choices.

Ulead DVD WORKSHOP will not re-encode if you make sure that you have checked the box that says DO NOT CONVERT COMPLIANT FILE (located in the final burning stage on the MAKE DISC menu).

There is an interesting article about both Ulead MEDIASTUDIO PRO 7.0 and Ulead DVD WORKSHOP.

The article is here:

http://www.matroxusers.com/mreviews.php?op=showcontent&id=6

Scroll down to the bottom of the page and look for the drop down list.

Click on the SMART RENDER IN DEPTH heading and you'll be taken to a page that explains how encoding and re-encoding works in Ulead DVD WORKSHOP.

It's quite interesting.

2. Ulead DVD MovieFactory 2 is for general users.

However, PROs can enable the ADVANCED MPEG encoding options in the same way.

To enable these options on a Windows 2000 or Windows XP computer, simply click MY COMPUTER>C: DRIVE>DOCUMENTS & SETTINGS>ALL USERS>APPLICATION DATA>ULEAD SYSTEMS FOLDER>ULEAD DVD MOVIEFACTORY FOLDER>2.01 FOLDER>DVDMF (INI FILE).

Then add ADVANCE=1 under the [VIODRIVER] heading.

Save the change.

Then reboot.

When you open Ulead DVD MovieFactory afterward, you will be able to enter the DISC TEMPLATE OPTIONS and click a new ADVANCED button that appears under the COMPRESSION tab to access a new array of custom encoding parameter choices.

I recommend to novices that they leave these settings alone.

But pros who know what they're doing should be able to attain levels of quality that rival those of even the best 3rd party encoders.

Jerry Jones
http://www.jonesgroup.net

[darkcyber]

dude stop flapping most of what u r asking is in the howto sections but here goes anyway
imho i would use tmpge to encode the mpeg to dvd spec using the kdvd template for ntsc/pal as req this will give u an mpeg 2 dvd compliant file
then drop this into sonic , sonic wont encode the file as u already made it compliant all it will do is make the video_ts folder and burn it to ur disc
i use this method as its easy it works and the discs play on all the machines i chuck them at inc ps2

Sorry dude! If I'm getting on your nerves...I'm just trying to describe what I'm doing along with asking questions to get some help. I appreciate your suggestions...but if it bothers you that much...don't read my post.

DarkCyber

[binks120]

sorry if i sounded negative i didnt mean to you are in order asking

[JamesB69]

I only got 3 programs to work without crashing. DVDLab, Maestro, and TMPGenc DVD Author.

[mkelley]

While this thread is up, perhaps I might ask what people think.

I'm using DVDitPE (2.5) and I'm wondering if this is the best software for my needs. I definately wanted a package that would encode audio to dolby digital so I can save space. What would be nice (but is not supported on DVDitPE) is motion menus and other 'fancy stuff'. (subtitles, multiple audio tracks etc)

I'm cuious if there has been a drop in prices for DVD authoring packages since I don't want to spend as much as I did for DVDitPE. I basically want a package that will encode dolby digital audio (although I am not using AC3 source material, I just want the space savings) and I would also like motion menus. The rest is pretty well optional. (aside from it being a reasonable price.)

Any thoughts?

Regards,

Savant

I say it once again -- DVDLab is pound for pound, ounce for ounce, the best authoring package out there. It can use AC3 files (you can encode using BeSweet, which is free), it has motion menus, and while it doesn't do subtitles right now it's an evolving package and you have the ear and active efforts of the developer (try getting Ulead developer's to respond to you on *anything* -- some people are still trying after two years, but I gave up after six months).

At $79 it's a steal and there is a fully functional (not crippleware, like some) 30 day demo available. At least try it once, for god's sake!

[SHS]

So far I'm a bit dispoint in DVDLab, I like wizard base I wouldn't even call this consumer base DVD authoring software package more long the line Mid to High lever of leaning to much like a professional tools.
SpruceUp in my book was the best and eazy to use to bad they sold out on US.

One thing I really dispoint more then anything is there is BS below

Under WHY
I think that most of the consumer DVD authoring tools really underestimate users by holding their hands tight while guiding them through the DVD authoring process. In world where I live pre-school boys and girls don't buy DVD burners nor produce DVD movies (yet), they are busy with other things (Fishers Price Little People anybody?). So my question is: Why most of the DVD authoring software tries to appeal to them so badly?

I very dispoint with fact there no realtime perview mode before building.

[mkelley]

I'm not an apologist for DVDLab -- while I easily think it's the best authoring out there right now (and I haven't tried software which is no longer available legally) I recognize it's not for everyone. But the quote you take has to be understood in context -- Oscar is simply defending his approach which is to require you to prepare your files (capture, convert, whatever) outside of DVDLab, as opposed to programs that do the capturing and encoding for you. That's really all that's about, and I agree with it (one of the things that frustrates me about Ulead's products, for example).

As for preview -- you can easily and quick generate a DVD test on your hard drive using the dummy movies option. Takes only a few seconds and then you can preview using PowerDVD or WinDVD and see how your authoring will go. I think this is a good compromise and is probably better than those programs which attempt to emulate a movie preview in which the sound will be off after a few minutes (and thus panic people into thinking things aren't well).

I truly think one of the best things about DVDLab is that it's growing -- get in on the ground floor and you can have input into what *you* want out of a DVD authoring product. Where else can you say that?

[darkcyber]

mkelly,

You have any links to some simple instructions for using DVD Lab?

I'm still getting coasters with DVD Workshop...guess a link for instructions on that might help as well

I guess what I'm looking for is what format do I need to have the video files in or encoded with to burn a dvd with these?

Thanks!
DarkCyber

[housepig]

go to www.mediachance.com , click on the DVD Lab homepage, you can check the entire help file online.