Stick with VideoStudio or switch to TMPGENC?

[blacktooth]

I started making home video projects about 8 years ago. I make 2 or 3 DVDs each year. I got started using VideoStudio for editing and have stuck with it. I always had my video files in AVI format. I would edit my projects in VideoStudio to produce an AVI file. I was advised that TMPGENC was superior for encoding the video, so I've always used TMPGENC for both encoding and for authoring. Once I got comfortable with that, life was mostly easy.
As of a few months ago, I'm now filming in AVCHD, using .MTS files. My version of VideoStudio is Pro X4 (not 4.0 and 8.0 like in the earlier years). X4 software can take my projects and encode, author, and burn. It seems simpler than before. But I keep getting occasional emails from TMPGENC promoting their products. It looks like TMPGENC Video Mastering Works 5 is similar to my VideoStudio. But is it superior?
What I'm wondering is, is VideoStudio as dependable nowadays as TMPGENC, especially if larger video projects need to be compressed? Would there be anything worthwhile to gain switching over to TMPGENC?
Thanks for any advice.

[hech54]

I always had my video files in AVI format. I would edit my projects in VideoStudio to produce an AVI file.

"AVI" as in video taken straight from a camera of some sort?

[blacktooth]

I used to use a Sony Digital8 camcorder, which I could use to send the digital video to the computer in AVI files. Then I used a mini-dv camcorder, which operated in the same way. Now of course my new Panasonic HDC-SD800 makes .MTS files.
At this point, I'm just wondering if there's much of a difference between using VideoStudio and using TMPGENC to encode and author and burn DVDs.

[nic2k4]

The TMPGenc software is really nice to use with DVD (MPEG2) video, now that your working with AVCHD video I don't think it has any advantage over VideoStudio. You're comfortable with VideoStudio and it does what you want, why switch? If anything you would be simplifying your workflow. If you want to upgrade you should be looking at sony Movie Studio or Adobe Premiere Elements.

[roma_turok]

TMPGENC Video Mastering have trial version so you can try it
and for my experience TMPGENC Video Mastering is NOT best option for advanced editing.

[sanlyn]

After TMPGenc Plus 2.5 (for SD DVD) and TMPGEnc Author v3, TMPGEnc used different engines and hasn't been the same since. Their MPEG Editors are still great (for editing), but the Authoring Works line is like a company shooting itself in the foot. I'm sticking with their old TMPGEnc Author v3 for menus and burning, but now learning to use newer (and free) programs for HD encoding, authoring, etc. But even at that, Id judge Authoring Works and superior in many respects to the products mentioned. Your mileage might vary, as they say

[classfour]

I'm using V5 for already encoded mpg2 files.

If you're using .avi and like the work flow - stick to it.

I typically do my settings to prevent TMPGENC from reencoding anything - which is what I've always done, why screw with it?

[blacktooth]

Thanks everyone. I'll stick with the VideoStudio for my AVCHD. It's nice to have that assurance that I'm using a good product before I get deep into a project.