Is there CD/DVD menu creation softeware that works?

[Djard]

I have tried a variety of apps that tout the ability to create autorun menus for CDs and DVDs. But to date, I have not found one that works. I installed DeepBurner on XP and then on Vista...even wrote a comprehensive manual for this feature-rich software. The more features I used, the greater the waste of time. Smart CDMenu is another app of this type, riddled with bugs. I can name others. I'd be grateful to learn of a CD/DVD menu creator that someone has actually used and found to work.

[zoobie]

I'm running deepburner on XPP and never had a problem...but just for burning
Perhaps you've a conflict somewhere
I always recommend using another HDD when doing anything video related...completely disconnected from others...with minimal drivers...an editing station as it were

[usually_quiet]

This is entirely up to Djard (his thread seems OK here), but if the menus and autorun are not for video or audio, but for software, then perhaps asking a moderator to move the thread to the "Computers" forum would get him more help for his problem.

[tinker]

Djard, I do not know if this is what are you looking for , but I used this software to create machine maintenance manual on CD. You can compile PDF files, Pictures and other, than get to them from your own menu. Works well.
http://mmb.mediachance.com/index.html
Mediachance has a Menu creator software, never used that because I use DVD Lab for DVD and DVD menu creation.

[Djard]

Thanks for the kind replies.

I got turned off at the MediaChance site: they offer software without revealing the price... "Buy now" and we'll tell you the price later. Er, no thanks.

I tried contacting the developer of Deep Burner twice, but he does not answer mail. Too bad his freeware does not work as DeepBurner has everything you would want for creating great multimedia menus (video, executables, images, audio, URLs, hover, etc.). I'll be happy to share the step manual I wrote for the app. Maybe somebody else will catch something I keep overlooking.

[tinker]

Djard, I am not their agent, but may be you missed this page.

http://www.mediachance.com/register.htm

In any case you do not have to buy, you just download software to try for 30 days.

[jman98]

Perhaps tinker's response is not clear enough. Djard - Just go to the register link in his post and the prices are clearly listed. That final sentence might (at least to me) overshadow the fact that the link gives the prices and make you conclude that he is advocating you to download and try for 30 days when in fact he is trying to help you to find the price.

[Djard]

Thanks Tinker, I found the item and price.

I tend to shy from trialware; since after you uninstall them, the registry develops quite a bit of slackness, slowing your system, even though such free but excellent utilities as RegLite facilitate safe removal of the many--sometimes several hundred--leftover keys.

Windows allows you to create virtual partitions with the "subst X: C:\{folder}" command, which, as best as I can tell, should permit an administrator to run apps without cluttering the registry in the event you don't wish to keep the program (better than Alcohol 120% that causes BSOD and all the freeware that require upgrade to the "Pro" version for making the virtual drive permanent). I created a stable virtual partition and will test the option. If it works, I'll be happy to share the steps with ya'll.

[guns1inger]

You could also try Sandboxie ( http://www.sandboxie.com/ ) or set up a completely virtual environment for testing using virtualbox or vmware.

[Djard]

Thanks for the tip, guns1inger. Unfortunately Sandboxie causes BSOD on x64 systems, according to the author. But the app looks like a prayer answered for x86. As I mentioned earlier, about half of the software I used on my older system is incompatible with Vista 64-bit. The new Microsoft kernal guard, methinks, is an extension of Gates' paranoia (utter overkill), his KB940510 is about as close as you can get to a viron (virus is plural). To obtain the price for the impressive Vmware, I had to go to an external site, and even then I found myself challenged by the jargon--which version to use...surely not the $2,000 one? I'm planning to buy Adobe Premiere; maybe it will offer decent menu creator.

[citanool]

First off, for the protection of all, there is a safer alternative to AutoRun at http://autorun.synthasite.com/AutoRunGuard.php

I've only ever used the open source CDInterface Studio, but more are listed at http://www.thefreecountry.com/utilities/autorun-autoplay-cd-menu-makers.shtml

[guns1inger]

I don't understand what you are trying to do.

Are you talking about DVD Video Menus, or CD/DVD autorun menus ? I do not see these as the same thing. DVD Video Menus are ably covered by any number or programs - DVD Workshop, DVD Styler, DVD Lab Pro, Encore CS3 et al. (Premiere does not do menus of any type).

For autorun CDs you need a different type of software entirely, as this is a program that has to run to launch other programs. It could even be as simple as a webpage that loads in the default browser and has links to software on the disc.

The two are mutually exclusive, so perhaps you need to clarify exactly what you are looking for. At the moment is seems very confused.