Is there any KISS solution for simple edit/save w/o encoding

[jrhett]

Okay, I am aware of most of the software (read the sticky) and at this point I have tried more than a dozen different combinations, and I still haven't found the right solution for what should be simple.

Problem: I have video taken from set-top DVD recorder and/or camcorder that I'd like to do (very simple) edits, setup chapters, save to DVD. Without re-encoding if possible. And give me a simple menu editor, please!

I've tried dozens of the software recommended here, and I'm stuck with

1. Nero Vision makes it easy to do everything I need, but it always re-encodes no matter what settings I use. 2+ hour saves are the hint. And no auto-chapter setup at all, and no fast speed review so chapter insertion is a PITA.

2. DVD Author works fine, but doesn't burn to disk and it really too barebones. I don't want to create my menus from flour and water, really! I don't want anything special at all in the menus. In fact, I want to create them QUICKLY.

3. MPEG2VCR - I have come to love this editor. Best editor in the bunch. But doesn't allow me to make chapters or save in VOB format. I'd love to be able to use this with the final solution if possible.

4. MPEG Video Wizard is just plain too hard to figure out. I'm sure that the dual-screen editor is more powerful, but I fought with it for 2 hours and couldn't figure out how to join two pieces together while stripping 2 minutes from the beginning of one. Probably just bad documentation but AUUUGGGH.

5. DVDAuthorGUI - looks like it might partner well with MPEG2VCR to produce the final version, but I can't seem to figure out how to make a simple menu. Seriously, Nero Vision has this right. Let me pick an image and add some text. I want to use DVDproduct, but I really don't want to make my own bread so to speak...

[Deleted about 7 more reviews that are pretty much the same words put to different titles]

Is there anything at all that has smarts about not re-encoding things, has a good editor (ie easy to use, can work in frame by frame mode, and can review at 4X, 8X, etc speed?) and has a simple menu editor? I really want very simple menus. One frame and some text. That's it.

Note: I'm willing to pay for it. I already own Nero 6 and Womble. Is Nero 7 any better about DVD authoring?

[guns1inger]

Womble Mpeg VCR to do the edits
Tmpegenc DVD Author to create the disc.

About as simple as it gets.

(Assumes camcorder records direct to DVD, otherwise encoding is inevitable)

[jrhett]

Womble Mpeg VCR to do the edits
Tmpegenc DVD Author to create the disc.

About as simple as it gets.

DVD Author seems right, but I've spent a few hours and I still can't figure out how to create a menu. And I'm a software developer for a living

Something about DVD Author seems to assume you really want to use photoshop images or mpg files for your menus, I don't even grok what either one of these would do. I really just want to choose a frame and add a title for each piece. DVD Author really seems to want me to start with a blank pallete and build something... kindof a flour and water approach to cooking, where I'm hoping for a minute in the microwave

(Assumes camcorder records direct to DVD, otherwise encoding is inevitable)

Yeah, everything is VOB format to start with.

FYI, your idea would actually be DVD Decrypter to convert VOB to MPG, then Womble, then DVD Author. Assuming DVD Author converts it back to VOB format, which I'm uncertain about.

[guns1inger]

There is DVD Author, an XML driven authoring tool that is free, and for which a couple of guis have been written, and tmpgenc DVD author, which is not free, is wizard driven, and comes with a few stock menu designs. Don't confuse the two, they are different animals altogether

[jrhett]

There is DVD Author, an XML driven authoring tool that is free, and for which a couple of guis have been written, and tmpgenc DVD author, which is not free, is wizard driven, and comes with a few stock menu designs. Don't confuse the two, they are different animals altogether

Ah, thanks for the clarification.