What does everyone think of ReelDVD?

[mtrichardson]

I have used DVDLab,, which I liked, but was having all kinds of audio issues....
What I really am looking for is something that allows me to make customized menus,,, with audio, motion, button where I want so on...
Has anyone had any expereinces with ReelDVD?

[disturbed1]

For the money Sonic charges for ReelDVD, I'd stay away.

I've had some serious compatibility problems with ReelDVD and certain Stand Alone Players (old Philips, Toshiba, and Samsung).

The exact same projects compiled with DVDit! have no issues.

ReelDVD also has several limitations. It doesn't use a true menu structure, instead it compiles the menu into the Video VOBs as a PGC, rather than locating them in the VTS_01_0.VOB as the DVD spec suggests. After you compile a project, if you get VTS sectors in IFOEdit, it make corrections. Means the output isn't layed out correctly.

There are work arounds, but I paid a bit more than they are charging now, and expected far more than I got.

Other than the high $$$ authoring apps, Encore, ReelDVD, DVDLab, DVDJunior, Ulead, DVD Architech, DVDit, MyDVD, TMPG DVDAuthor

[lordsmurf]

I lucked into my copy (cost nearly nothing), but I rarely use it. I'm a bigger fan of TMPGEnc DVD Author for speed and DVDit! for custom menus. See no real benefits of ReelDVD.

[mtrichardson]

I lucked into my copy (cost nearly nothing), but I rarely use it. I'm a bigger fan of TMPGEnc DVD Author for speed and DVDit! for custom menus. See no real benefits of ReelDVD.

Does DVDit allow for motion menus?
Also, I tried TMPGEnc and liked it but had audio issues, like DVDLab!

[lordsmurf]

I have no need for motion menus. I watch the video, not the menu, that's always been my attitude. DVDit! does not support it.

TMPGEnc DVD Author has given me no problems. It only muxes the audio when I use it, I would never let it convert/edit. Do your work in advance in audio/video editors.

[David K]

Dear Disturbed,

I've been fooling around with a copy of ReelDVD, and I was wondering why the Menu is shown as the first chapter of the Title set. What exactly is the fix with ifo edit?

Also it seems one cannot use the time navigation feature in a DVD authored in DVDReel and that is a big minus, since it is a convenient way to get around a movie. Am I doing something wrong or is that also a result of ReelDVD's way of structuring the DVD?

Thanks.

[dcsos]

Reel DVD impressed me greatly with its flexibility.
It surprises me with its complexity
and dissapionts me with a little bugginess..but is it really true that it doesn't fully implement the DVD SPEC?..because its created by DAIKIN --also the maker of the best system for windows called SCENERIST
Altho they bothe were bought by SONIC SOLUTIONS, both retain the character of a DAIKIN offering....
NOT USER FRIENDLY..but comprehensive...
I'd reccommend it

[disturbed1]

Dear Disturbed,

I've been fooling around with a copy of ReelDVD, and I was wondering why the Menu is shown as the first chapter of the Title set. What exactly is the fix with ifo edit?

Also it seems one cannot use the time navigation feature in a DVD authored in DVDReel and that is a big minus, since it is a convenient way to get around a movie. Am I doing something wrong or is that also a result of ReelDVD's way of structuring the DVD?

Thanks.

This is where it doesn't follow the DVD Spec. The DVD Spec states that the menu must reside in the VTS Manager Domain (VTS_01_0.VOB). Instead Reel DVD lists it as a PGC inside of the VTS, which is just flat out wrong. I've noticed many set top players have problems playing Reel DVD authored titles.

Not having a time display just bits too.

Also, once the project is created, the VTS sectors are not completely aligned. Though most DVD players won't mind, for the money you have to pay for Reel DVD, this is just not right.

I don't blame Daikin for any of this, as they were in the process of fixing these bugs (and others) before Sonic bought the products. But, Reel DVD hasn't seen any improvements, other than more subtitle and audio tracks, since Sonic bought the product.

Sonic is more concerned with their own products. Even DVD it! hasn't recieved many (if any) bug fixes/improvents over the last 2 years.

[lordsmurf]

That's an error of SONIC SOLUTIONS actually, as DVDit! and one other program authoring the same as ReelDVD.

Few players reject. Notably my APEX 1100W do that. But it's hit-n-miss. Sometimes it'll actually take it.

[disturbed1]

That's an error of SONIC SOLUTIONS actually, as DVDit! and one other program authoring the same as ReelDVD.

Few players reject. Notably my APEX 1100W do that. But it's hit-n-miss. Sometimes it'll actually take it.

DVDit! does create the menu in correct domain. Even though DVDit! is a single VTS authoring software, it also creates a blank VIDEO_TS.VOB, as a few players will also choke if this file is not present (old Philips, Toshiba, and a couple of Sony).

My Apex 1100W, 1110W, and 1225W (all based on the same hardware) have never rejected a Reel DVD authored disc. The DVD players I do own that reject Reel DVD are Philips FWD5, Toshiba SD2107, also, through a distribution of 250 discs authored by Reel DVD, 75 were returned. I took the same source clips and authored with Maestro, and had 0 returns.

Granted Maestro is a bit more, but when you're selling a product, you should have a 0 tolerance for errors, Reel DVD just can't meet that demand.

A few years back, Maestro and Scenarist were the top two, with Reel DVD being the only bridge in between the top and bottom. Now days that just isn't the case. Ulead's newest DVD Workshop supports multi track audio, and multi subtitles, and can import or create stellar menus, and still costs less than Reel DVD. We also have Adobe Encore, and DVD Lab which have close to the same abilities as Reel DVD. Plus an abundance of entry level authoring apps that will still "get the job done" without the idiosyncracies Reel DVD has plauged us with.