TMPGenc or Ulead

[basstrap]

I have evaluated two sets of tools and am having a hard time picking which one to purchase. I want to create DVDs from some camcorder footage of my band, I also want to create DVD back-ups of some VHS material (largely so I can have chaptered versions of stuff that isn't available on DVD). I'm using a digital video camera with a pass-through and firewire to get my source material to my computer.

The options I have evaluated are:

1) Ulead Movie Factory 3.0

2) Windows Movie Maker/TMPGenc Plus 2.5/TMPGenc Author 1.5

Originally I posted that I had some problems with Ulead- I have since figured them out. Now, both of these approaches work great and I have been very happy with my test burns.

I could buy both sets of tools, but this seems a bit redundant. I'd rather just pick one option and go with that so that I can save my money to buy an editor in the future.

Any thoughts based on people's long term experiences (I've only completed 1 full project and a few sets of short test burns)?

Thanks!

[teegee420]

I haven't used Movie Factory before but I do use Ulead Video Studio. I have never really cared for Ulead's built in mpeg-2 encoder so I'll usually output my projects as DV AVI and then convert to mpeg-2 using TMPGEnc. I'm sure you can make better looking video with TMPNEnc Plus, but I can't say whether Movie Factory is a better author than TMPGEnc DVD Author or vice versa. What you have working in your favor is that all of these programs have trial versions available. My best advice is "try before you buy".

[Will Hay]

My proceedure....

Capture and edit DV with Pinnacle Studio, save as DV avi
Encode with TMPGEnc plus at 720 x 576 (PAL) 8000CBR
Author with with Ulead MF2.0
Burn with RecordNowMax.

I haven't found an encoder I prefer to TMPGEnc.
Will

[rcb]

Teegee and Will both have given you good feedback.

Only thing I would add is take a look at ScenalyzerLive as your DV capturing app, particularly if you go the TMPGEnc route.
Like the others, it's trialware - $30 to buy if you like it.

[MrMungus]

I'd use Ulead to capture directly to MPEG-2 then author using it also. But hey, I'm lazy.