DVDit LE adding a bunch of stuff to my DVD

[hbutz]

I have no problems using Sonic's dvdit LE to author menus and build a project from my mpeg2 files. At some point in the past, I was invited to register my software for a free upgrade and technical support. I did this, but did not notice any difference to the interface...

until I tried burning a DVD. While the movie plays great in my stand-alone player, it was doing something weird on my computer. The drive was locked up and was busy thrashing around for several minutes. After I re-gained control of my computer some time later, I discovered that there was a parasite autoload program which was attempting to install WinDVD every time I inserted my movie into the drive. These files were written to my compilation without notice, at burn time, without the option to exclude - they were just there.

Well, what if I don't want every DVD which I write to lock up my computer for several minutes trying to load software I don't want to load? I posed this question to Sonic's technical support people. To date, no answer from them.

Does anyone else think it's rude to trash a DVD with parasite software, or is it just me? I do not find this to be a convenience. Is there any way to prevent dvdit LE from from writing a copy of WinDVD to every disc I burn?

[hbutz]

I guess I'll answer my own question. Sonic is screwing over people using their 'LE' version, which comes bundled with Adobe Premiere. Not only are they sneaking in WinDVD onto every DVD I burn, but CopyToDVD reports an error when trying to write Sonic files. I have confirmed that there was indeed an error. My tv-top player refused to play Sonic's DVD, unless I used Sonic LE to burn it (along with the files I am trying to get rid of). It just sits there and displays "1" - doesn't play, won't start up, doesn't display an error.

I was able to hammer the files into submission using Nero's DVD Video burn setting, but the DVD had problems playing back on a computer. It locked up WinXP. It would play for 10 minutes then freeze up.

Sonic *used* to have the most sophisticated DVD authoring interface for under $500. No more.

Check out DVD-Lab in the 'tools' section. $80, 30-day free trail, and it does what Sonic's $1,000 software does. I recommend the beta version. Thank god I didn't blow all my money buying Sonic's software. I'm going with the underdog, as usual.

[mkelley]

DVDLab is a superb program, still overlooked by many here. It's all I use for authoring (however, I have tried the Sonic and Ulead entries previously. Yucck!)

[dcsos]

Please DOUBLE CHECK your version of DVDit ..
While I agree that SONIC is using ARROGANT-WARE again,
I think I remember a CHECKMARK box that defaulted to being checked that adds the software player to your build. Unless its a newer development ( I only had DVDit PE 3.0)...
You could uncheck this and disable the PLAYER from being added to the build

I agree adding a player without asking would be reason for CLASS ACTION

thats why I think it sucks that you couldn't add your own ROM content with DVDit but are forced to SUFFER theirs!