TMPGEnc DVD Author...............How good is it?

[jthompson99]

I am currently looking for a program that has the capability to include "chapters" within your DVD. I am using Studio 8 and it appears that you cannot do that with the software. Anybody have any ideas?

Thanks.

[lordsmurf]

Of all my software, DVDit! PE 2.5 is my favorite. It'll will do what you want.

TMPGEnc Author is too basic, and it crashed the few time I used the demo.

[jthompson99]

Thanks for the info, I will check it out.

[BobK]

I've been using Studio 8 for about 6 months. A lot of people don't like it- and it does have some problems (at least with Windows XP), but it works pretty well for me. I just downloaded the trial of DVDlab- I haven't used it yet but the screen shots look similar to Studio so I plan to try it out and if it really works better I'll probably switch. But Studio 8 does allow you to add chapters (see my replies to your other 2 posts).

[gotodvdr]

I have used it for a while and it's good to me.
Good luck

[aybesea]

I've used TMPGEnc Author to create compilation DVDs from various chapters of other DVDs... and I've had absolutely no problems doing so. Granted, the program is simple and limited in its capabilities, but it does this function very well.

[LanEvo7]

Its a simple program with a simple interface to do simple tasks. Its good if you just want a simple program to simpely author your dvds without any ultra flashy items.

[Mr.Radar]

I myself am looking for DVD Authoring software and can't spend much over $100. I'm currently looking at TMPGEnc DVD Author and Dazzel DVD Complete. If there is any good authoring software within my budget that I mised please reply.

[DeadLamb]

I have tried out a few of the programs.. Ulead DVD studio, TMPGEnc DVD Author etc... and I'll be honest in saying I'm a total newbie at the DVD author stuff so the more advance programs had me sort of going "err huh?"

but the TMPGEnc DVD Author seems, at least just starting out, to be pretty good. I wish it would let one change the template files so I could make the lay out I really want Vs just picking from the limited ones they have..

Still, that being said I was able to get up and running with it really quick.. For the stuff I tend to do the lack of custom menus etc is not that big of a deal being the templates they do have are 90% as to what I would make anyways.

Chapter points are ez to add, motion menus and background art I want on the screen etc is really easy.. I know on some level just being easy to work should not be the biggest selling points but heck I'm not making anything sep home DVD sort of stuff.. So ez is a nice bonus..

I would think with in 20 min.. Just about about anyone with say 2 home vids of the kids playing or whatever.. could go from nothing to a DVD with a menu, two title tracks and then chapter points with in the title tracks of every 10 min really, really quick with TMPGEnc DVD Author.. Can even make each chapter point play as a motion clip on the menu screen.

also less of a wait as each vid is added Vs say Ulead that seems to scan the whole vid file or something.. So making a DVD of a bunch of music vids was pretty quick too..

[rickymwong]

Please do NOT hijack topics. Post any dvd ripping related questions in our dvd to dvdr forum. /Baldrick

[LanEvo7]

You need to use SmartRipper and rip the chapters that you want. Then reauthor it.

[rob1]

Personally, I'd go with DVDLab. I think it's hard to beat for the money (under 100- around 70 bucks if I remember correctly). Free fully functional trial- so it's worth giving it a shot.

I've tried TMPGEnc DVD, and it's not bad. Handles ac3 and simple to use. However, I just think you get a lot more for the money with DVDLab, and it's not SO complicated that you can't figure out the basics fairly quickly.

OH- but one thing to note, I don't believe DVDLab accepts mpeg-1 files at the moment, so if VCD is your thing, you'd probably be better of with TMPGEnc DVD.

[rickymwong]

Personally, I'd go with DVDLab. I think it's hard to beat for the money (under 100- around 70 bucks if I remember correctly). Free fully functional trial- so it's worth giving it a shot.

I've tried TMPGEnc DVD, and it's not bad. Handles ac3 and simple to use. However, I just think you get a lot more for the money with DVDLab, and it's not SO complicated that you can't figure out the basics fairly quickly.

OH- but one thing to note, I don't believe DVDLab accepts mpeg-1 files at the moment, so if VCD is your thing, you'd probably be better of with TMPGEnc DVD.

I tried to use DVD Author to re-author the chapters I got from SmartRipper, but when I tried to input the VOBs , only video files are imported, and no audio is available. Is DVD Author supposed to handle AC-3 too? What did I do wrong? Please advise. Thanks!

Ricky

[cz9h3d]

I like DVD-Lab - seems to give the best total control over all details of your dvd (without getting too complicated). However I've found that TMPGEnc DVD author will take my existing MPEG files (from my Hauppague PVR-250) and put them into a usable DVD without any audio sync problems.....I'll be buying TMPGEnc DVD Author for this reason!