DVD Lab encoding question

[butler1]

I am thinking about buying DVD Lab, but I am confused if I need an encoder or if I can just use other DVD burning software to encode?

[troyvcd1]

dvdlab only accepts dvd compliant video streams. Use encoder software to properly encode to dvd compliant.

[Josef K]

I am confused if I need an encoder or if I can just use other DVD burning software to encode?

From Mediachance:

...most notably it doesn't have Video Capturing nor MPEG encoding capabilities. (Yes, we actually believe this is a feature!)
There is a good reason for that:
First of all it push the software price up. Secondly, you probably already have some encoder bundled with your DVD burner. And at last, didn't you realize that most of the consumer software uses the very same medium quality, fast encoder ? So if you have two Video or DVD applications you already probably paid for the same encoder twice.
At this stage I believe adding an encoder will be just a "feature" without the real benefit of it but with the price tag.
of course you can purchase the optional high quality stand-alone Encoder separately.

DVDlab allows you the freedom to choose your own encoder and this is preferable for me. Like the above quote, it means that you won't be buying another encoder that you're forced to use and might not give you the results you're looking for.

Looking further:

Many users already have their own trusty hardware or software encoders so they would have to pay additional price for something they won't use.

Both authoring and Encoding are lengthy operations. Having the encoder and authoring applications separate gives users the ability to use both on the same time or fix only the part in the production that need to be fixed.

dvdlab only accepts dvd compliant video streams.

Also from Mediachance:

Easy on Restrictions
Many DVD players today are able to play DVD's which are not exactly up to DVD specs. DVD-lab is easy on restrictions. In a questionable cases it will just issue a warning but let you to continue. That means if your DVD player can handle it, you can create DVD with SVCD movies on it (about 6 SVCD discs on one DVD) or directly use SATV mpeg-2 files (544x480/576).

This is a huge selling point for me because I can take all those SVCDs I made back before I had a DVD writer and it won't spit back an error at me. Well... it will but I just click ok and everything is fine. All you have to do is to make sure your standalone can handle it.

[butler1]

Thanks a lot. I found out that I can use my editing software and output it to DVD complient MPEG and it works fine.

[Josef K]

...I can use my editing software and output it to DVD complient MPEG...

I'm not a big fan of all-in-one packages - the one-click solutions. That's why I have avoided stuff from the likes of Ulead that might try to do something behind my back. You'll find that using what you know - separate packages that you like and can work with - will give you better results in the end. Even though this might be seen as the long way round you'll be glad of the extra effort you're putting in right now.