Pioneer DVR-104 vs. DVR-A04 - questions re bundled software

[cpg]

I searched this forum, but haven't really found a satisfactory answer, so I am posting this topic. I understand that the 104 is the OEM version of the A04. While the software bundle in the A04 retail version seems to remain constant among all vendors (as it should), I have noticed various software configurations with the 104. Some vendors sell it bare-bones, some include Cyberlink PowerDirector 2.0 (or 2.0 DE), some include Nero 5.5, and some combine these titles.

Question: Is the software in the A04 retail box (Sonic MyDVD 3.1, Veritas Primo DVD, and Cyberlink PowerDVD) worth the increase in price over the 104? The retail version also offers a $40 upgrade from MyDVD to DVDit - is this a worthwhile upgrade? If one were to purchase the 104, what software would be necessary for creating DVDs? I already own Pinnacle Studio DV, which I use to get video from my Sony DV camera to my PC via Firewire.

I understand that I need software to create the DVD menus and software to burn the actual DVD, but I am confused by the various options described above. I just want to create simple DVDs of my home DV footage that can be played in a standalone DVD player. Any input would be appreciated.

[tom28]

Personally speaking, if you don't have any authoring program like spruceup or dvdit PE, I think it is worth $40 to get the retail version.

All I know that the dvdit PE will allow you to encode audio to AC3 and myDvd only encode into PCM. Also the Dvdit PE will transcode the video for you if it is not mpeg2 compliance like avi, etc. It will also transcode audio to AC3 or PCM. If you can effort dvdit PE, you should get it. Else you will need something like TMPGEnc to encode video to DVD MPG2 and audio to DVD 48khz before you can use it on spruceup, etc. I believe the MyDVD and DvDit can import AVI and they can transcode them into DVD Mpeg2.

I believe if you don't have an authoring program that can burn directly onto the DVD Recordable, you will need something like Nero to burn it onto the DVD recordable; thus you will need:
1. Encoding software for video and audio (if your authoring program doesn't do transcoding)
2. Authoring program to author and burn onto the DVD or to a file or to an image
3. Burning software like Nero if your authoring program can't burn directly to your dvd burner or your authoring program doesn't support your dvd burner.

If you are buying the retail version, you have all the software needed to burn it onto the DVD. MyDVD should be able to import AVI....of course assuming it can read DV AVI.

others?