Please help me pick a DVD Authoring program

[sofakng]

I just got my DVD burner a few days ago so I'm a complete newbie. What I'd like to do is create a DVD with the following features:

Main Menu has three selections: Play Movie #1, Play Movie #2, View Pictures

View Pictures would list several folders (eg. Christmas, Summer, etc), then it would display thumbnails you could then select to view the full-size picture. Perhaps there can be an additional, "View All" button?

Now, I'm not asking HOW you do it -- That much I'll figure out. What I'm wondering is what program I should use to do this.

I've tried TMPGEnc DVD Author, but it doesn't seem to support still images (maybe I'm wrong?) and it doesn't seem to let you customize the look of the menus. (eg. where I play my "Play" button, etc)

I've tried DVD-Lab and this looks like it will do what I want, but its also quite complex. This looks like my best bet so far though.

I've tried Sonic MyDVD v4.5 and it definitely beats everything for ease of use, however you can *barely* customize your menus at all.

So, what would you guys suggest I use for what I'm looking to do?

[duffyr83]

i use Ulead DVD Movie Factory 2 and its really easy to use and somewhat customizable ( you can import other dvd menu backgrounds), it also offers a option for a picture slideshow, you should try it and see if it works for you

hope that helps

[andkiich]

After spending a few hours with DVD-Lab, the complexity soon goes away and you find just a really good authoring tool.

I highly recommend DVD-Lab over any other authoring tool in the price range. I think it's the best you're going to get without going to professional grade authoring package.

[rockdj99uk]

Definitely got to be DVD Lab. Have a play with it once you get into it you'll find out how easy it is to use and it turns out some top quality results.

[jeffoz1]

Trouble is it does not seem to like mpeg-1 files very much. It offers to de-multiplex to m1v and mpa but stops quarter of the way through. Had to use TMpgenc to get the components then the authoring was fairly easy.

[proxyx99]

DVDLab is so transparent and intuitive that it has to be on top of the list.

[DUSTER7071]

just for pics , dvd picture show looks good


i've just purchased magix movie editor pro 2004, it worked great, slightly edited and created menu then burned a 55 min dvd the first night, good selection of titleseffects ect.

it says u can load pics .jpg/.bmp so that would be a vert versitile program should u also ever want to get into video.

i just got it after fighting with pinnacle studio 8 for months.

good luck .

[bbulldog]

i have done the same project with two holiday movies and all my pictures in different "folders" on one DVD with DVDLab. only after a short time i was making near professional menu's with it too