So do any of these authoring programs actually work??

[Clydesdale]

So far the following have crapped out on me (WinXP Home system, P4 2.4, 512 meg RDRAM):

SpruceUp - Program crashes when trying to play a video clip. Also crashed when deleting a menu

DVDit - Crashed every time I tried to load one of my clips

DVD Workshop - Got all the way thru the whole project only to have a bug cause program to crash during burning (Error 93006:1:5 which is listed in their Tech Support with a supposed DLL fix which doesn't work)

I've spent a month learning these programs, only to be disappointed every time. Comments/suggestions appreciated.

[damnim]

My Opinion;

Get rid of DVDit; it caused me nothing but problems.

Spruce Up; doesn't have what I need. Freezes sometimes

DVD Workshop; never used

DVD Architect; *****
DVD Maestro;*****
Scenarist;****

I use Win XP Pro, 386 of memory 500 Intel no probem.
AMD 1000 Win XP pro, 254 of memory no problem.

[spidey]

I've had no issues with DVDit PE, but due to wanting to combine m1v's and m2v's I have recently migrated up to Maestro. No issues there either

[mecg]

I've been using Video Explosion Deluxe for authoring and Ulead DVD MovieFactory 2 for adding the chapters and burning (using Pioneer A04). While not the highest end software - I've found them VERY reliable (I've got a 2.53 P4 with 512 ram). They both take a little time to learn the finer points - but all good software does. I'm mostly transferring from video tape (both VCR and DV) so the capture and editing abilities of video explosion deluxe are perfect for what I need. I create the mpeg's with it then switch to moviefactory telling it to leave the compliant mpegs alone and just add chapters. (demo available for download). I've messed with a LOT of the other software - but these are comfortable for me and stable with the "junk" dvd-r's that I buy.
Just my 2 cents worth.

[Clydesdale]

Isn't DVD Maestro part of Spruce that doesn't exist anymore?[/quote]

[ghoster]

ifoedit works great and its free.

[MrSnake]

I use DVDMaestro, easiest to learn and user-friendly.

I also useD IfoEdit, but I noticed that, for some obscure reason, RecordNow won't burn a backup authored with IfoEdit. (tried this only with one dvd)
The very same backup authored with DVDMaestro doesn't give a problem with RecordNow.

MrSnake

[KTH]

Clydesdale,

You need to give us more information to go on. Like what DVD recorder you have, motherboard, memory, video card, etc. Also what CD/DVD writing software is currently installed on your system. For example if you are using Roxio's EZ CD Creator, a lot of people have conflicts with that software and other disc burning software. I have both DVDit and DVD Workshop currently installed and can get both pieces of software to work OK. Well actually I did have problems here and there with DVDit, but managed to find ways around it. You can try checking Sonic's DVDit User forum. I got a lot of useful information from other users with simular problems as myself. The web address is http://www.dvdit.com. Currently though I pretty much exclusively use DVD Workshop to author my DVD's because it seems to have less problems than DVDit and has the added feature of motion menus & buttons.

[Clydesdale]

WEll I put most of this info in my original post but DVD drive is Pioneer 105, video card is 64mb geforce4. Currently installed is DVD Workshop and DVD MovieFactory 2. Also just installed DVD ARchitect. System is Dell 8250.

[KTH]

Since your problem in DVD Workshop seems to happen when the program tries writing to a DVD-R have you tried having DVD Workshop Create a "video_ts" and "audio_ts" folder on your hard drive then using some other software to burn the DVD-R? You can try Nero (www.ahead.de) or Stomps RecordNow Max (www.stompinc.com). If you try using Nero use the DVD-Video template then select the ISO tab. Under "File/Directory Name Lenght" select "ISO Level 1". For the "Character Set" select "ISO 9660" and deselect the "Joliet" option. Also under "Relax ISO Restrictions" make sure none of these are selected. Now click on the Date Tab and choose the "Use This Date" option. You should now be ready to burn a video DVD once you drag the ""Video_TS" & "Audio_TS" folders that were created using DVD Workshop to the directory in Nero that contains these folders. You should be able to download a Demo of Nero from their web site. Hope this helps!

[KTH]

Forgot to mention that you should use DVD-RW disc's if you aren't already. That way you can always erase a disc if it doesn't work.

[JamesB69]

So far the following have crapped out on me (WinXP Home system, P4 2.4, 512 meg RDRAM):

SpruceUp - Program crashes when trying to play a video clip. Also crashed when deleting a menu

DVDit - Crashed every time I tried to load one of my clips

DVD Workshop - Got all the way thru the whole project only to have a bug cause program to crash during burning (Error 93006:1:5 which is listed in their Tech Support with a supposed DLL fix which doesn't work)

I've spent a month learning these programs, only to be disappointed every time. Comments/suggestions appreciated.

All of these crashes leads me to believe that your memory is bad or your hard drive is scrambled. More likely the memory. WinXP is known for stability and i run the same programs on XP with no prob. I have seen many computers have errors and crashes but when new memory is put in, all problems go away.

As for programs, settle for no less than Maestro, and if you are a good learner u could try Scenarist.

[Clydesdale]

Trying to install DVD Maestro I get the following:

Real Time Preview functonality will not be available because either the Quadreant Drivers are not loaded or the Quadrant card is not installed or both.

Then the program starts.

Anyone know what the hell this means?

[damnim]

Means you have to install are find the Cinemaster DVD software player.

[Clydesdale]

I have other dvd players installed, but maestro needs this particular one?

[MikeInNM]

I would agree that you need to look deeper than your video programs. Win XP is a stable and forgiving platform. Defragged disk and clean, correct registries are important to start with. Then "everything" is more stable.

When there are underlying problems usually they will be more apparent when you edit video or audio because these applications are about the most taxing on your system.

I had no crashes with winxp home and 512 memory but in audio I did have pops and crackles. When I went to 1 gig memory this helped alot.

Large hard drives, P4 Processors, huge memory that you get now days are wonderful right up to the point you start processing audio/video then you find out how weak these computers are.

Start with a stable XP base.

[drewson99]

i'll throw in a recommendation for ulead dvd moviefactory, for simplicity, ease of use, few crashes (easy to recover from too) and low cost.

also, I have noticed a lot of programs crash when using slider bars for previewing video. if you can keep the use of the slider bar light, they should crash less often.

this must be some fundamental I/O issue, because it spans many softwares hardwares and OSs.

[JamesB69]

Trying to install DVD Maestro I get the following:

Real Time Preview functonality will not be available because either the Quadreant Drivers are not loaded or the Quadrant card is not installed or both.

Then the program starts.

Anyone know what the hell this means?

Yeah unless you have their hardware decoder, then you cant preview your video before you compile it. I get the message also so i just compile to a VIDEO_TS folder and watch it on windvd to make sure it works.

[Clydesdale]

DVD Maestro came through where all the above-mentioned authoring programs failed. Only thing that surprised me a bit is that Maestro only accepts ac3 or pcm audio.

Thanks to all for their comments/suggestions.