Need The Right DVD Authoring Program?

[macgvyer]

Please Help me choose the right dvd authoring program.
I need a program that
1. I can adjust the encoding of the video to what I want (Not looking
for Better, Best and good)
2. Have motion video at the chapter point and have motion in the
backround
3. I have control of the design of the menu.

I have tried programs like Sonic mydvd but the only problem with using this program is that I have no control over encoding the video, just the options Better, Best and Good.
I have tried Pinnacle Studio 8 and it would take hours to encode my video.
I have tried Ulead DVD Workshop and it doesn't create motion video at my chapter points.

Is there a program that comes close to what I need or can someone think of another program that I can use.

Thank you for all you help
Corey

[Bob W]

The only one I can think of would be WinProducer3 and you can check it out here.
http://www.intervideo.com/jsp/Product_Profile.jsp?p=WinProducer3DVD

[kauction]

How is the mpeg2 quality of winproducer?

[spidey]

I'd strongly recommend encoding your vid and aud streams outside of the authoring and simply use the authoring program as the authorer.

Sonic DVD Producer v3.1.1
or SpruceUp DVD Maestro

[mkelley]

Spidie's right -- althought I'd recommend using DVDLab (free beta right now, final product $79 or so).

Trying to do the encoding/capturing within an authoring program is a bit like trying to edit your images inside of Word. While Word does allow some rudimentary cropping and editing, it's far better to use a program like Photoshop which specializes in this stuff, and then bring your final image into your Word document.

Similarly, capture and encoding programs are highly specialized processes difficult (and expensive) to integrate within an authoring program, which is why the ones you mention do so a bad job at them. Unless you want to spend $500+ on some high-end program (like Adobe's Encore) I'd suggest you'll be far better off assembling the components that do their job best.

[Specialist]

Corey,

Ulead DVD WORKSHOP *does* allow you to create motion buttons and use video as your menu background.

The complete Ulead DVD WORKSHOP feature list is located here:

http://www.ulead.com/dws/compare.htm

This tutorial explains how to create the motion buttons:

http://www.ulead.com/learning/dws/dws_02_1.htm

This tutorial explains how to create the video backgrounds for menus:

http://www.ulead.com/learning/dws/dws_01_1.htm

You also asked about the ability to *customize.*

There are many options in Ulead DVD Workshop that allow you to customize your menus.

Here's a tutorial that explains how:

http://www.ulead.com/learning/dws/dws_05_1.htm

Hope this helps,

Jerry Jones
http://www.jonesgroup.net