A DVD authoring program that....

[fmctm1sw]

I'm looking for a good DVD authoring program that will do a few things:

1] Not try to reencode an already compliant MPEG-2 file.
2] Be able to accept elementary streams. I usually just save off a wav and encode the video and audio separately.
3] Encode complaint AC3 files. I've been using the ac3enc.dll through Besweet and havn't had any problems. Since I will start doing this for others though, I'd like a 100% compliant encoding program.
4] Be as inexpensve as possible. I'm not looking freeware but I'm not going to turn over $5000 for scenarist. I'm looking at maybe $200, though I'm tempted by Ulead DVD movie factory (or whatever one is $350).

If you're thinking tmpg DVD author, I would try it except that the computer I use is not connected to the internet (nor will it be).

[guns1inger]

DVD Lab Pro will do everything on your list except encode AC3 out of the box. Add the tmpgenc AC3 encoder and you get everything.

Caveats - price is US$230 all up, and it will only encode 2.0 AC3, not 5.1

If you don't need all the bells and whistles (multiple audio tracks, seamless branching etc) then DVD Lab is also very good, and drops the total cost to US$129

[fmctm1sw]

DVD Lab Pro will do everything on your list except encode AC3 out of the box. Add the tmpgenc AC3 encoder and you get everything.

Caveats - price is US$230 all up, and it will only encode 2.0 AC3, not 5.1

If you don't need all the bells and whistles (multiple audio tracks, seamless branching etc) then DVD Lab is also very good, and drops the total cost to US$129

Thanks, I did think about that and I have used DVD lab (trial) and liked it. The trouble is, tmpg's AC3 encoder also requires that periodic validation from what I read. I'm reading up on reelDVD righ now....

[thecoalman]

I'm looking at maybe $200, though I'm tempted by Ulead DVD movie factory (or whatever one is $350).

MF is $50... It's Workshop that your thinking of and it does AC3 and the rest of your requirements. It will do 5.1 AC3 but you have to already have the audio in that format. It won't create 5.1

[fmctm1sw]

Crap! I'm noticing my use of Win2K is severely limiting my options in this regard....

[reboot]

DVDLab Pro does encode to, and accept AC3 audio. Look again

[fmctm1sw]

DVDLab Pro does encode to, and accept AC3 audio. Look again

Does it have it's own AC3 encoder or does it use TMPG's? This is what I saw on their webpage.

Direct connection to TMPGEnc AC3 plugin for encoding MPA and WAV files

This still won't work for me since that plug-in has to be validated. Or does it not?

[fmctm1sw]

I researched Reeldvd and found some disturbing news. This now only $199 Reeldvd appears to be a stripped down version.

How Does the LE Version Differ From the Full Version?
ReelDVD features many professional tools and th same interface as ReelDVD.

ReelDVD Le gives you 3 subtitle tracks (the full version can have 32)

ReelDVD Le gives you 3 audio tracks (the full version can have 8).

ReelDVD Le does not include Dolby AC-3 encoding

I don't think any of that stuff would have bothered me except for the AC3 encoing part. Buyer beware though...

[reboot]

fmctm1sw, good question. I have the plugin, but rarely use tmpgenc for anything any more. I just do my ac3 outside of dvdlab in ffmpeggui.
I know the transcode to AC3 option is in dvdlab, just never used it