What's a good dvd authoring program to use?

[zanos]

I've used Ulead DVD Workshop 2 and all the TDAs. But I want some more creative control. You can't do much in those programs.

[freebird73717]

DVDlab pro

[SCDVD]

Generally, "more control" authoring means there is also more of a learning curve. One very good authoring program is DVD Lab Pro. You can download it and try it for 30 days before you make a decision to buy it. It has a lot of capability.

[SmokieStover]

I sware I've see this post before.

When it's all said and done, your "Creative Control" will most likely be an obstacle that others must clear and overcome so that they can watch what's worth watching.

[zanos]

I've used dvd lab pro many years ago but I seem to recall a rather basic program. Are there any sample menus I can look at?

[lordsmurf]

DVD-Lab is still very basic compared to the likes of DVD Studio Pro.

[GeorgeW]

I've used Ulead DVD Workshop 2 and all the TDAs. But I want some more creative control. You can't do much in those programs.

On the PC, what type of SD-DVD Authoring creative control are you looking for?

Better menu templates or menu setup options, or control over playback of your video assets, or adding easter eggs, or adding multiple video angles/audio tracks/subtitles/closed captions, or something else?

Any particular things you found you could not do with the software you have already tried?

Regards,
George

[zanos]

I want ALOT more options over what I can do with my menu.

[mats.hogberg]

With DVD-Lab Pro, you can do pretty much anything the DVD specifications allow. It doesn't do it for you tho, but it can do it.

/Mats

[zanos]

Are menus pretty much static or do they have any animated features to them?

[mats.hogberg]

"They" can be anything you want them to. What I'm trying to get across, is that DVD-Lab doesn't constrain you at all. OTOH, it doesn't help you much either. Use a 2 hour movie as menu background, or a still image, or a solid color or whatever your heart desires.

/Mats

[zanos]

Well you can do that in TDA as well. If dvd lab pro won't help me add animated features to the menu I don't see any reason for me to convert over.

[mats.hogberg]

Well you can do that in TDA as well.

Yes, but that was just a few examples. TDA is "paint-by-numbers". DVD-Lab is a canvas, paint brushes, and a set of paint color tubes.

/Mats

[dadrab]

Well you can do that in TDA as well.

Yes, but that was just a few examples. TDA is "paint-by-numbers". DVD-Lab is a canvas, paint brushes, and a set of paint color tubes.

/Mats

Well put.

I've been using DVDLabPro for a while now and I can't imagine how I could go back. When I began on this "create-a-dvd" journey, I tried several authoring programs including TDA. I found that particular app to be such a PITA that I never tried but a couple of times and then uninstalled. And it loves to phone home too, a trait I despise because my audio/video computer is not even hooked up to the internet.

To each his own, of course.

[SCDVD]

There's DVD Lab and then there's DVD Lab Pro. Some that criticize the product cite DVD Lab rather than DVD Lab Pro. That's a bit like criticizing Photoshop for not supporting CMYK because Photoshop Elements doesn't. Some of the "critics" haven't even seen Photoshop and base their "profoundication" on the copy of Photoshop Elements they looked at one time. DVD Lab Pro is very powerful and flexible. You can do anything you want with it but it takes a little time (like many things worthwhile) to become proficient with. There are some that think the only thing necessary in a menu is a start button - that's their business. But others choose to look at things differently - Different strokes for different folks. Although it's hard to imagine, there are some that would find that Nero takes care of "all their authoring needs." (You know; some of the Video Professor's customers)

The OP, according to his profile, is a Windows XP PC user. It doesn't help him very much to name-drop an Apple authoring program. If the object is to name-drop high-end authoring programs, why not go all the way and name-drop Sonic Scenarist which the "real pros" use. http://www.sonic.com/products/Professional/Scenarist/quicklook.aspx The fact that it is a $5,000 program shouldn't matter since the real object is to name-drop.