proffessional DVD's

[zoranb]

Never athored a DVD before nor am i aware of any apps to do the job. Im lookin for an simple-powerfull app.
But not something really simple. I want my future DVD to have things like a "Chapters" menu aparted by small video previews each from all different chapters etc. Basicly make a DVD that looks one step more proffessional than the ones that can be created by amature users indifferent to artistic and creative ideas (im a Graphic Designer so i must make it look good to me in order that my own concience rests in peace!!!)

In other words (i hope that my average English didnt mix u guys up) im waiting for suggestions for sutch apps.
Regards

p.s. just reminding that i dont want a high end authoring app

[Tearren]

DVDLab is a very good authoring program. Has a bit of a learning curve, but it is flexibale and would probably suit your needs.

It has a 30-day trial.

Tearren

[BJ_M]

http://www.mediachance.com/dvdlab/

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

http://www.adobe.com/products/encore/main.html

any of the above will work .. the real effort in making the menus in all of them is doing it in photoshop (or paintshop pro) .. i would suggest encore

[BJ_M]

DVDLab is a very good authoring program. Has a bit of a learning curve, but it is flexibale and would probably suit your needs.

It has a 30-day trial.

Tearren

its a very good product - still some bugs being sorted out ... beta 4 is now out i guess ..

[Tearren]

I have been using DVDLab for over 2 months now and I like it a lot. For me, it easy to use and I find myself constantly learning new things it can do. Personally, I haven't come across any bugs, but I have heard that it does have them.

-BJ

Is adding chapters in Ulead DVD workshop like in Ulead DVD Movie Factory? If so, personally I would recommend passing on this one. It is very cumbersome. That is, unless it has other benefits that would out way this drawback.

Have you used Adobe Encore? If so, have you experimented with the ability to ADD copy protection to a DVDR and if so how did it work (ie, adding it to the DVDR, not if you couldn't copy the disk)? I am very interested in finding a way to add copy protection to some DVD-R's I produce, even if it is rudimentary.

Thanks,
Tearren

[Dr_Layne]

Totally agrree with these other posts. DVD-Lab is great. The more I use it, the more I like it. There is one feature I wish it had. Audio during preview and chapter point creation. I do a lot of live shows to dvd transfers and need audio cues to make chapter points. Right now I have to use DVD Complete, then create a chapter list, and import into DVD-Lab.

Dr_Layne

[BJ_M]

I have been using DVDLab for over 2 months now and I like it a lot. For me, it easy to use and I find myself constantly learning new things it can do. Personally, I haven't come across any bugs, but I have heard that it does have them.

-BJ

Is adding chapters in Ulead DVD workshop like in Ulead DVD Movie Factory? If so, personally I would recommend passing on this one. It is very cumbersome. That is, unless it has other benefits that would out way this drawback.

Have you used Adobe Encore? If so, have you experimented with the ability to ADD copy protection to a DVDR and if so how did it work (ie, adding it to the DVDR, not if you couldn't copy the disk)? I am very interested in finding a way to add copy protection to some DVD-R's I produce, even if it is rudimentary.

Thanks,
Tearren

i can't really comment on Ulead DVD workshop. I only mentioned it because there is strong support for it by some people ..

copy protection has to be added during pressing -- its not something you can "burn in" - though certain things are added during authoring .. Isnt copy protection rather pointless anyway? (see the tools section) ..

you can encode and author a dvd though to make it a real pain in the a## to copy or convert to svcd .. theres some tricks for that ..

[Tearren]

-BJ

I only ask because, on Adobe Encore's website, it says...

Copy protection
Use DVD-standard copy protection methods to secure your content against unauthorized use.

I spoke with another member here who said he thought you had to send the disk off to create a master, but wasn't sure. I have read that CSS copy protection cannot be used, but provision is made for adding CPRM copy protection to DVD-R.

In general, I agree, copy protection is pointless. I am starting a business offering a service to back-up peoples videos (ie home movies, weddings). I want the copy protection inorder to prevent someone from just copying the DVD-R to a HD and then burning it. If they are able to crack it that is fine, I am mainly interested in preventing casual (easy) copying.

I would be very much appreciative if you told me about the tricks you mentioned. I don't want to hijack this thread, should we take it offline (via PM) or should I start a new thread?

Thanks,
Tearren

[zoranb]

Ok thaxn guys BUT, suppose i use DVDlab, can i export the final file to burn it on a CDRW thats on a MAC (im talking about the "super drive" that all high end macs have). Some dudes told me that all i need is the VIDEO_TS folder to be burned (probably the AUDIO_TS too) does DVDlab output sutch a folder????

[BJ_M]

Ok thaxn guys BUT, suppose i use DVDlab, can i export the final file to burn it on a CDRW thats on a MAC (im talking about the "super drive" that all high end macs have). Some dudes told me that all i need is the VIDEO_TS folder to be burned (probably the AUDIO_TS too) does DVDlab output sutch a folder????

yes -- but if you export it (4.38gig of data) , you might as well burn it on a dvd in the first place .. unless the mac and pc are connected via a lan

[zoranb]

thanx ur right but pc is at home and mac is at work ill rar the 4.7GB tranfer them to a pc at work which is on a lan with the mac, and hey presto. Is there a good tutorial u know of about DVDlab apart the ones in this site?

[elkfir]

There's the "Quick start" tutorial right on the Mediachance website:

http://www.mediachance.com/dvdlab/Help/quick.htm

Worked good for me even though I decided not to buy the program