Looking for an authoring app with FREEDOM!!! (RANT ENCLOSED)

[MYoung]

I recently got the new Sony DVD writer. Came with Sonic DVDit as everyone knows. "Total crap it is, yes!" Yoda said. I HATE the fact that you are stuck with templates. Would it have been pulling teeth to include the ability to create your own buttons and other small things that make DVDs unique? It's cookie-cutter garbage! I don't like those cookies mama! So, my question is:

Is there a way to author a BASIC DVD with JUST chapters, just like a menu-less VCD ala Nero? I've tried IfoEdit and I can only get one chapter. I'm not talking ripping, I'm talking I have home-brew AVIs that I took to DVD MPEG2s and I want them each as SIMPLE sequential chapters - like a professional though budget production DVD. You know, the kind you pop in and they play from start to finish with chapters. Can this be done with IfoEdit or some other free or cheap software (under $100)? I ask the buffoons of all the companies that make cookie-cutter trash, is that too much to ask?

What about the ability to make my own buttons? I want to control the way they look. I want to control how they are highlighted. Can't we have bitmaps for buttons? The ability to put them where we want? Display this bitmap when not selected, display this bitmap when selected. Like a basic computer game main menu. I don't want oval buttons. I don't want that BS. The Man is holding me down! None of this cookie-cutter GARBAGE!, and no blowing 20K away on professional tools to get the results of a basic video game menu equivalent of a video game. Arrgh!!!! I gotta go lift some weights now or break something! I'll be back!

[BJ_M]

have you looked at impression pro ?

but also wait till you see dvd architect by sonic foundry -- it will be and is a package that will blow you away in features and flexbility ..

you should see it in .... not to long .

some authorized screen shots here http://www.sundancemediagroup.com/vegas.htm

[dcsos]

SpruceUp ,Or DVDitPE do chapters,,
and you can get rid of themes in MY DVD by creating your own easily with a BITMAP 720x480 your own background..Its sorta hidden, but look for creating your own themes... (not what you want to hear when all you wannna make is a menu)

[MYoung]

Regarding MyDVD (should be called OutOfMyCreativeControlDVD or MyGodWhatAnAwfulPieceOfYouKnowWhatDVD) I did do the bitmap background, but the fact remains that you have stupid pre-determined "buttons" that you cannot customize. Am I the only one insanely bothered by this? Certainly not but I'm uneducated and frusterated when it comes to this dizzying world of prosumer DVD authoring.

As for the Sonic Foundry app, looks good, but it will probably be a good $300 at least. And what are they going to strip away if they have a lite XP version? Unanswered questions. Though it's good to see Sonic Foundry getting in this scene. Maybe now we can get some REAL tools for less than the cost of a new car. Unlike what these other clowns are putting out, getting bundled with retail box drives. I hope heads roll.

[You_Are_Alive]

So am I, still not satisfied with whats out there. Maybe Vegas may help.

DVDit PE does chapters, BUT they are not displayed on your desktop dvdplayer when you press next, etc.. Something to do with titlesets and 1st pcgm for the dvd specs. At least thats what someone told me from the Sonic forums.

Impression pro does do chapters AND moreover, includes as many titlesets as you want. With this method, you do see what chapter and titleset your on when you hit next or back on your desktop player unlike PE.

[aznguy]

Ulead Workshop was good when it worked for me... but the damn thing keep crashing...

So now I'm stuck.

[MYoung]

Thanks You_Are_Alive, Pinnacle's Impression Pro does looks to be a good one of the bunch, though kind of expensive at $200 for the lite version. Maybe cheaper somewhere indirect? Anyone have heavy experence with it? It says up to 36 buttons. Can you customize the buttons to be any size and location and as bitmaps? What about preview chapters for production company logos? Must be able to do that for $200. Anyone know of any sites that have reviewed the software? I wish I had a few grand to try the all the real contenders out!

[You_Are_Alive]

Yes, I use the SE version and it does have all of that. I've used it only 2 or 3 times so still learning. But it really depends on what you want to accomplish. Here is a review I found, but the Ligos bit I think is wrong. Maybe they did not pay attention to the GOP structure or something else in the settings. Reviews are hard to come by with this product as I think its geared more for the pro-sumer or pro instead of regular consumers who want it done now and its relatively inexpensive. Its editing interface may also be another problem. Well, anyway here's one link: http://www.emedialive.com/r8/2002/ozer8b_02.html

Look at pinnaclesys.com for more specific info. It has a couple of pre-made menus which are ok. But for my taste it was not enough, so you use Photoshop to create everything with layers and whatever. Everything is very customizable but only outside of this program, you really need some Photoshop skills. And you will find quickly again the many limitations in the actual "authoring" of your dvd, YOUR TIME. I gave up on making really fancy stuff for now cause its not worth the time for me. So I just use DVDit PE for its convienience. What I turn out doing is using the combination of both to make the final DVD.

[MYoung]

Anyone try Ahead Software's answer? Nero Vision Express? I'm downloading the demo now. I dunno. The fact that they use the word "Express" leads me to think limitations. It's Ahead Software though so I'll give them the benefit of the doubt. Certainly it will allow for simple DVD creation without glitzy menus - meat and potatoes DVD creation. Any thoughts on it?

[BJ_M]

Anyone try Ahead Software's answer? Nero Vision Express? I'm downloading the demo now. I dunno. The fact that they use the word "Express" leads me to think limitations. It's Ahead Software though so I'll give them the benefit of the doubt. Certainly it will allow for simple DVD creation without glitzy menus - meat and potatoes DVD creation. Any thoughts on it?

do a search on it here and you will find it is highly not liked at all ...

[jon_w]

I really like Sonic Foundry and have been looking forward to VV4 and a DVD authoring package from them.

Anyone know the release date for VV4?

I really like Sonic Foundry and have been looking forward to VV4 and a DVD authoring package from them.

Anyone know the release date for VV4?

Rumor has it late Feb early March.

[donpedro]

I am trying to compile list of editing and authoring tools and this is good idea. I will add "Custom Buttons" to my list

List of all video editing tools with all important features

[jon_w]

OMFG!

I downloaded the beta of DVD Architect and I LOVE IT. I just hope that it compiles, encodes (or doesn't encode) and burns as well as it lays out the menus and tracks.

[aubrey_q]

OMFG!

I downloaded the beta of DVD Architect and I LOVE IT. I just hope that it compiles, encodes (or doesn't encode) and burns as well as it lays out the menus and tracks.

Where did you download the beta?

[jon_w]

http://www.sonicfoundry.com


Who'd of thunk it?

[MYoung]

Damn, it's going to be $489.97.

[MYoung]

Donpedro,
Add the category to your list - the cookie cutter factor. It will be a scale from 0 to 10 of how much freedom the program gives to if customization of menus, etc.. Not only making the buttons but animation them being pressed! I'm talking overkill here! I want that! I want total control!
Scenerist gets a cookie cutter rating of 1 (just like I never give 10's to ladies on hotornot.com I won't give the reference DVD authoring app a perfect rating). MyDVD gets a cookie cutter rating of 10000000.

[MYoung]

Found this while scouring the web for info...

http://www.dvdirect.com/TSS/charts/DVDAuthoringComparison.htm

[donpedro]

Cool, thanks... So it looks like somebody allready invented a wheel

BTW What do you mean by "the cookie cutter factor" ? I didn't understood your comment. About animation if button is pressed... I think that is when they support "multylayer PSD (PhotoStudio)" format. Am I right ?

[donpedro]

OMFG!

I downloaded the beta of DVD Architect and I LOVE IT. I just hope that it compiles, encodes (or doesn't encode) and burns as well as it lays out the menus and tracks.

Maybe I am blind nut I don't see even product with that name ....

[BJ_M]

http://www.sonicfoundry.com/products/vegas4-cs.asp


see the news section here "vegas video beta" on instructions

[donpedro]

I was looking for DVD Architect

[BJ_M]

:D I was looking for DVD Architect :D

yes -- it comes with the pro version of vegas 4

[MJPollard]

I was looking for DVD Architect

Hint: look at the second entry on the Vegas 4 beta page. It's Vegas 4 plus DVD Architect plus a few other goodies.

Good news: these look like highly sophisticated packages, ones that would do just about anything you need (particularly DVD Architect).

Bad news: they're going to cost anywhere from $500 to $1,000.

Hopefully, Sonic Foundry will see the light and release DVD Architect as a separate product, provided it's not something that's too closely tied into Vegas (and provided SF remains in business long enough ). The world needs a new, sophisticated DVD authoring program that doesn't cost an arm and a leg.

[donpedro]

Now I see it ...

[Lula1]

Hi,

I found DVD Architect download link at :

http://www.sonicfoundry.com/download/step2.asp?DID=433