I have used PhotoShop and Encore to create DVD Menus. It's a little involved and cumbersome, and sometime buggy, but liked it OK for that.

I've created an image file and used latest Nero to burn to DL DVD+R media using DVD-ROM book type. (Have a Sony Drive that supports only DVD+R format in DL media, but may look for a drive that supports dual formats later.)

Worked great on various PC's and set tops alike, but froze momentarily at the Layer Break.

Plan to try same proceedure but burning with DVD Decrypter, and also plan to try burning directly from Encore.

?'s

1) is there a less cumbersome PC based program for authoring that packs the same flex and features as Encore for detailed menu building that might be better for me and still supporting DL media?

2) can the Layer Breaks be set manually? I tried in Encore but it never prompts me as they say it should... and apparently is still setting it as it likes; in the middle of video and not at a timeline change.

3) When creating image files in Encore, does the LB go into the image file for burning from another application or do the burning programs decide where to place the break? What about competative programs?

4) What's the best practice for this scenario? We want to purchase our own Duplication equipment becasue we're not at a volume that would be economical for us to work with a duplication or replication house; we're only duplicating about 200 of each DVD.

We ideally want to create master DL disks on our authoring station and duplicate on a robotic stand-alone multi-drive DL duplicator station...

5) Is making a disk image and sending it to the duplication station the best way or is it better to burn an actual disk and copy on the duplication station?

6) What are your thoughts on creating DL DVD's I understand DVD-R is the more suitable for compatibility on a wider variety of set top players?

Lots of questions, but any insight is much appreciated...

Regards ,

Basil