Which authoring tool under vista? Some special needs.

[MagicSparky]

Hello all,

I plan to encode/convert all my video files with HCenc to DVD compliant MPG's, use Aften to convert audio to AC3 and use Photoshop to create the menu images, overlays and so on.

I've tested various trials of authoring apps (TDA 3 from Pegasys, Sony DVD Architect Studio 4.5). I have Vista installed as main OS.

I'm searching for a good (semi-pro?!) authoring tool which met the following criterias:
- Good handling of Photoshop psd files.
- multiple VTS
- The tools should accept video files, which are encoded with 3:2 pulldown (DVD Architect doesn't) without reencoding. The app should not reencode DVD compliant files.
- 16:9 Menus
- More complex menus, like switching, ...
- A build-in burning engine is NOT necessary.
- At least 2 audio tracks per video.

Adobe Encore is not certified with Vista.
I've had a little fear to test out DVD-lab PRO and I'm not sure if it runs under Vista?!

TDA 3 met those criterias, but if I use Photoshop's psd files as menu images, they turned out very blurred in the auhored DVD. I cannot find a option to turn this off. I've tested with jpg, bmp, gif and png as well - same problem. I've searched the forum for this topic, but it seems that no one has this problem.

Sony DVD Architect handles psd's much better, but reencode files with 3:2 pulldown flag set, which is not good.


Are there any recommendations?

Thank you.

__
Sparky

[yoda313]

I use Photoshop's psd files as menu images, they turned out very blurred in the auhored DVD. I cannot find a option to turn this off. I've tested with jpg, bmp, gif and png as well - same probl

Well just a note that dvd res is 720x480 for ntsc. It probably is downsizing the image to that resolution. Are the pictures much higher than that? If so there would be quality loss. Just a suggestion.

[MagicSparky]

Well just a note that dvd res is 720x480 for ntsc. It probably is downsizing the image to that resolution. Are the pictures much higher than that? If so there would be quality loss. Just a suggestion.

I used the right templates under Photoshop for ntsc video with pixel correction. This should not be the problem, cause DVD Architect handles this much, much better. The image is a little blurred due to mpeg compression, that's okay, but TDA blurs to heavy.

[guns1inger]

DLP does run under Vista and will satisfy all your requirements. And it is nothing to be scared of.