Best DVD Authoring Software?

[the_macman]

Hi,

I have a Pioneer DV-444 and am planning to get a Pioneer DVR-104 DVD burner. What is the best DVD authoring software that people have successfully used to burn DVD-R and DVD-RWs for the DV-444?

Thanks: The MacMan

[mp3superfreak]

"Best" is subjective.

I've tried SpruceUp, Ulead's DVD Moviefactory & Workshop and Sonic's DVDit. They all produce disks that work fine in my Pioneer DV-C503 5 disk DVD changer. I'm also using the DVR-104, and mostly use DVD-RW's for testing purposes.

I personally like Ulead's products. DVD Moviefactory is simple, but does not allow much customization. DVD Workshop is very nice, but costs more than many people can afford. Both are available for 30 day demos at ULEAD's Website

It also depends on what you are using the Authoring for. Try the demos and see what you think.

[arcorob]

Just so you know..I have a Pioneer 414 (much more picky on what it likes) and have found that Sonic Video factory works well for rendering HOWEVER, you will still need to convert and BURN.

NERO has an issue and what SHOUDL work in the pioneer doesn't.

So I set out to find out how and sure enough, if I run it through TMPG and BURN with ULEAD DVD FACTORy (24.99) it works in ALL cases. Pioneer , APex and GE machine all the same disk works perfect (see my guide on this website)

Let me ask, what is your source material ?

[the_macman]

Thanks for the replies so far.

My source will be DV primarily and I want to have as much freedom as possible when authoring (moving menus, custom gfx from PhotoShop, etc.)

I was really thinking about ReelDVD, but before committing to it would like to make sure discs will work on my DV-444.

[arcorob]

Well, no matter what you get, that is fine. But just so you are aware, you will have to output it back to some AVI, use TMPG and then something like ULEAD DVD MOVIE FACTORY to burn.

I will tell you why. If you had an APEX DVD player, I would say , get whatever yuo like, it will play. But the pioneer is real picky. I strayed from my own guide yesterday and set th ebit rate lower on TMPG so I could get two hours on a DVD disk. NO GOOD. P)layed fine in the PAEx, stuttered in the pioneer and out-of sync on the GE.

I cant believe these are so stringent but they are.

So why aren't others running into this, what is Rob doing wrong you might ask. Nothing is the the answer. It works for others because the machine they are using to play them on is less stringent. So their process works for them but may be disaster for you. Also depends too on the source. I could run my WHOLE process through ULEAD and play fine on the pioneer but the quality is crap.

I set out with a different goal and that is to make disks that will play on almost any machine and of the highest quality . I have to because it is business oriented.

so you have two choices really. After producing your video with SOnic Video/ADobe/XYZ any movie factory - Just pass it through TMPG as I described, run Ulead DVD MOvie factory to burn and you are set. For the Pioneer or anything else.

If you want more flexiblity, buy a player liek an APEX or similar that plays anything you throw at it.

Hope this helps

[Craig Tucker]

Thanks for the replies so far.

My source will be DV primarily and I want to have as much freedom as possible when authoring (moving menus, custom gfx from PhotoShop, etc.)

Ulead DVD workshop is good for moving menus and custom gfx for button's. I use it for authoring. I still use TMPGEnc for encoding and Nero for burning.

[chaseru]

Try DVDComplete if you want to stay under the $100 mark. It does motion menus, backgrounds, and some flexibility to use custom graphics. It is not a flexable as other more expensive packages though.