DVD-Lab vs TMPGEnc DVD Author

[djscream]

I wanted to put these two programs head to head and have all of you judge which one is better.
As far as I know, I have my issues with each one. Can anyone find an answer to these:

TMPGEnc DVD Author: Great program that accepts most vobs or m2v and ac3 files while giving the user the ability to work with separate tracks!!!
However, why do they limit us to a strict set of templates? Also, TMPGEnc DVD doesn't allow chapter.txt imports.

DVD-Lab: Awsome program that gives you the ability to manipulate your menus to the max. However, I've had several problems with importing vobs because they have "improper headers" (although they work fine in TMPGEnc DVD Author.) Also, it seems to occationally produce empty folder when you compile a dvd set composed of vob files that have been pre-made using any other program. In other words, it sometimes "compiles" a dvd, but when you check the folders they are empty. (All these test have been performed before and after mediachance's update version 1.2)

Try and compare them to the best of your knowledge. Also, does anyone have a solution to my problems above?

[SuicideTaxi]

A really lousy - and I mean LOUSY - feature of DVDLab is the error windows that occur sometimes when compiling. What happens is that an error will occur (for one of the millions of reasons that errors do) and the window will pop up listing the error, but then after a few moments the window will disappear. The user, who probably set the machine to compile and then walked away from the machine, comes back to the machine and sees that the compilation is finished, only to discover empty folders. The user doesnt know there was an error because that error window auto-disappears.

Try watching your compilation from beginning to end and watch for an error window.

[DaHan]

For me, dvd-lab is a lot of faster and have more choice for the manu.

[mkelley]

In the latest version of DVDLab did you try the relaxed muxer option? Also, if you can't get your VOBs to work without demuxing, did you try demuxing?

Other authoring programs which reencode can get around a lot of problems that DVDlab has with non-DVD standard files, but Oscar is working to solve some of these problems. A new 1.21 release is just around the corner and it may have some things which will help.

[djscream]

I tried demuxing with vobedit and then compiling with menus, etc. with dvd-lab and it seemed to work. Again my issue now is double the work (demuxing and then remuxing) when TMPGEnc DVD Author does the work faster, no remuxing. It would be great if TMPGEnc DVD offered a menu creation station like DVD-Lab's or DVD-Lab offered the TMPGEnc's encoding abilities (no remuxing and multiple tracks)

[willy_annand]

DVD-Lab, hands down.

Try doing anything with TMPGEnc DVD that is not on one of the templates.

[willy_annand]

A new 1.21 release is just around the corner and it may have some things which will help.

Oscar just made that corner.

version 1.21 is out and he says he is busy working on 1.3

[willy_annand]

I tried demuxing with vobedit and then compiling with menus, etc. with dvd-lab and it seemed to work. Again my issue now is double the work (demuxing and then remuxing) when TMPGEnc DVD Author does the work faster, no remuxing. It would be great if TMPGEnc DVD offered a menu creation station like DVD-Lab's or DVD-Lab offered the TMPGEnc's encoding abilities (no remuxing and multiple tracks)

You do not need to de and remux in DVD-Lab. You can turn off that feature if you want. If you know your video clips are 100% DVD compliant, then turn off "Auto Demux".

[slonocode]

The reason I even found dvdlab was because I hated being stuck with all the preset templates in other similarly priced software.

I really like the interface and workflow of the program.

It's still a young project but the upside is awesome.

[NightWing]

Wonder if he will add a template creator shortly?

[willy_annand]

Wonder if he will add a template creator shortly?

It is already there.

You make a menu then click "Menu --> Export --> As Template"

[mkelley]

A new 1.21 release is just around the corner and it may have some things which will help.

Oscar just made that corner.

version 1.21 is out and he says he is busy working on 1.3

Yes and the best thing is it's all happening with direct feedback from his customers.

That's by far the most impressive thing about DVDLab -- the ability to get on the ground floor and mold an authoring program for your own use. I don't know if TMPGEnc offers that kind of feedback/response, but if it doesn't then there's no contest.

[willy_annand]

I don't know if TMPGEnc offers that kind of feedback/response, but if it doesn't then there's no contest.

You are right Mkelly, there is no contest.

DVD-Lab is already more flexible than TMPGEnc DVD Author and with the programmer being available for feedback and getting updates out so fast.

The program came out Officially on May 19, 2003

The first upgrade came out June 7, 2003

The second upgrade came out June 15, 2003

The third upgrade came out June 21, 2003

With TMPGEnc, the program came out April 26, 2003

The first upgrade came out June 12, 2003

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I have had many answers from Oscar on problems and things I wished DVD-Lab could do.

I sent 2 emails with questions to Pegasys and got back the usual corporate "Read the manual" or "Your ideas will be put on our list of customer feedback". That is to say almost no support.
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To my way of thinking it is not a contest, Oscar and DVD-Lab get my money and support.

[mkelley]

Will,

To be fair to this discussion, one might raise the point that DVDLab had bugs/problems and that was why the frequent updates -- the flip side might be that TMPGEnc was more stable and the update was only to add new features. I'm not saying this was the case, only that it *might* be the case.

(Let me be clear -- there is no greater advocate of DVDLab than myself. I totally believe and support Oscar, and have been there since the beginning).

If TMPGEnc's update in June did reflect the wishes and desires of the people using the program, I'd have no qualms about saying that's plenty responsive. I don't expect a program, any program, to issue an update within a week or two just because there's something that isn't working or working how I'd like it. Waiting six weeks isn't a bad turnaround at all -- once again, that assumes that upgrade did indeed address most of the wishes/problems of those using the program.

[3to4]

A really lousy - and I mean LOUSY - feature of DVDLab is the error windows that occur sometimes when compiling. What happens is that an error will occur (for one of the millions of reasons that errors do) and the window will pop up listing the error, but then after a few moments the window will disappear. The user, who probably set the machine to compile and then walked away from the machine, comes back to the machine and sees that the compilation is finished, only to discover empty folders. The user doesnt know there was an error because that error window auto-disappears.

Try watching your compilation from beginning to end and watch for an error window.

I have tried DVDlab, but it just doesn't compile. It goes "Reading Program" and "Done", but there is no folders created. I tried several times, but I did not see any error message. What I want to do is very simple. I want to compile a DVD from TV programs I record with my Pioneer DVR-7000 DVD recorder. TMPGEnc Author imports VRO files directly, and it works. To import into DVDlab, I have to first convert VRO files into mpeg files, and in addition it has never worked. So, my choice goes to TMPGEnc Author without any hesitation, although I think TMPGEnc AUthor's menu making capacities are very limited.

[mkelley]

I'm glad TMPGenc Author works for you, but to be fair, what you want to do is not exactly typical of most users.

DVDLab isn't designed to work with VRO files -- while someday Oscar may add the ability to do that, it's designed to work with "standard" MPEG elemental streams. It does have the ability to demux and/or accept muxed streams that may or may not be up to the DVD standards, but that's not the primary focus, and I would encourage Oscar not to worry about any but the mainstream user needs for the immediate future.

But good to know you have found the right tool for your job -- that's the most important thing.

[djonesii]

Dear all;

I have to say that too am looking at which DVD authoring to use. I have a panny DVD-R, one of my BIG tasks is to take the TV show that my wife watches and edit out the comercials.

TMPGenc Author reads the VRO files, and then lets me edit the nasty bits, clic clic cilc DONE. I get a simple tempalte, generate a menu add a few episodes. Can't do that with U-Lead, can do that with DVDLab. That is ONE task though ......

I have a DV camera, shoot movies of the Kids, edit in ULEAD, then get to build some weak menus from templates. DVDLab is much better for that task but it cannot edit.

As the say houses for courses ...... I have not seen a Swiss army kive tool that does near as good a job as a box full of tools.

The cost to get all three

50 buck to upgrade my ULEAD that came with my capture card
70 for the TMPGenc Author
80 for the DVDLab

This is not break the bank money, and the programmers deserve it!!

Hope this helps someone else

Dave

[mkelley]

And a terrific example of what my tag means.

Get as many tools as possible, because then you'll start seeing solutions in a whole different light (and you won't keep banging your thumb!).

[willy_annand]

I have tried DVDlab, but it just doesn't compile. It goes "Reading Program" and "Done", but there is no folders created.

Where did you tell it to create the folders?

The default is set at the top of the Authoring popup window. You set the output folder, then DVD-Lab creates 2 sub-folders "AUDIO_TS" and "VIDEO_TS", the audio folder is usually empty.

I have made several DVDs with no problems.

I am however still trying to figure out how to burn one successfully with Half-D1 elements.

[marvel2020]

Well speaking from my own experience's of using both, i used TMPGEnc DVD Author to Author a DVD, burnt the VOb's to DVD-r and nothing worked on my Standalone, nothing, no buttons no menu's, nothing.

So i uninstalled from my PC.

Not worth the money you pay for it and beside's it's just a basic Authoring software.


As for DVD Lab, like someone has already said, the F&^*ing errors really did Piss me off, but i continued to use it to Author a DVD, but i realise that it didn't do what i wanted so i uninstalled it as well.


Much Better and more advanced that TMPGEnc but still has it flaws.

So i'll continue using DVD Maestro, for me the best there is (next to Scenarist).

[RWANDREWS]

Now comes an event to up the ante. TMPGEnc Author has FULL MOTION Thumbnails to customize your menus. Get the new download today. I used it & it works great, at the expense of a longer (slightly) compile time.

I have not investigated it fully, but it seems that they ARE listening to their users, it's just that they are much more conservative in releasing improvements until they are fully worked out.

[3to4]

I have tried DVDlab, but it just doesn't compile. It goes "Reading Program" and "Done", but there is no folders created.

Where did you tell it to create the folders?

Well, I told DVDlab to create the folders in E:\. (I work from the file placed in D:\ to output in E:\)
When I compile, it goes "Reading Program" and only maybe 30 seconds later, it goes "Done". (and I don't see any error message.) So, obviously, there is something wrong. I presume that Mpeg files I make from VRO files (made with Pioneer DVR-7000) are simply not compatible with DVDlab. If someone is doing successfully what I do, I would be interested to know.

[willy_annand]

Re: DVD-Lab

The author Oscar has come through again, there are two ways to handle your videos. Load them as is without demuxing or demux them to video and audio streams. In v1.2.1 there was a bug that caused the one not to compile.

He now has v1.2.2 available it is muh better.

Remember though that v1.1 is the last "OFFICIAL" release and that v1.15, v1.20, v1.21 and v1.22 are all BETA releases.