running dvdauthor on os x

[urchin]

I was having trouble fine tuning the DVD mastering features in programs like ffmpegX and mpegworks, so I thought I'd try installing all of the tar.gz packages required to run the unix program dvdauthor from the terminal prompt. Here's the problem I encountered:

(1) downloaded dvdauthor-0.6.9, read (pico) INSTALL in the source directory, typed './configure' as instructed, and was informed that I need to install libdvdread to continue

(2) NOTE: already installed Apple Developer Tools

(3) downloaded libdvdread-0.9.4, followed instructions, typed './configure', typed 'make', typed 'make install', seemed to go smoothly

(4) ran './configure' from dvdauthor-0.6.9 directory again, this time I need to install libpng to continue

(5) downloaded libpng-1.2.5, same compiling commands as before, learned about Darwin's 'sudo' command to alter root directory permissions, typed 'sudo make install', entered administrative password, install seemed to go fine

(5) ran './configure' from dvdauthor-0.6.9 dir again, this time it needs libxml2

(6) downloaded libxml2-2.6.2, configured and compiled it as with others, seemed to go smoothly, however......

(7) I ran './configure' yet again from the dvdauthor dir, but it told me that libxml2 >= 2.5.0 still can't be found. Hmm. Well that's funny, because I could have sworn I just installed it....

So that's my problem, as best as I can describe it. I have decompressed each of these packages, and compiled them in my root directory, so I would guess they're all in the right place. I tried running a new Terminal session too, on the off chance that might help, but still no go. If anyone knows where I could find a comprehensive guide for installing dvdauthor on Darwin, I'd be greatful for that, or any tips how to get dvdauthor's installer to recognize libxml2. Thanks a lot!

-urchin

[WiseWeasel]

Just out of curiosity, what functions of dvdauthor do you need? We already have dvdbackup (which is a part of dvdauthor) compiled and running, and an interface made for it (Hades), and the other tools in the chain, such as DVD2OneX, Sizzle, DVD Studio Pro and Toast are available to shrink, master and burn those DVDs. What else do you need? Oh, and you'll need to install libdvdcss if you want to be able to work with encrypted (commercially pressed) DVDs. As for your problem, I would try to dig up a copy of libxml2 2.5.0 and see if that works any better.

[urchin]

Thanks WiseWeasel!

I have discontinued my installation of dvdauthor. I'd been putting off buying DVD2OneX and Toast, so Sizzle, ffmpegX, and Minx Transcoder had been my only DVD authoring solutions. They all work quite well, actually, but I had been having occasional audio sync problems. I thought that learning about the programs which they provide a GUI shell for would be the best way to solve my problem. Now that I own DVD2OneX and Toast, however, I'm amply satiated. I hope they continue to meet my needs when I upgrade from Jaguar to Panther...

-urchin

[tgpo]

I think they will. DVD2OneX and Toast are great programs and well worth the money. They have specific tasks and are the best at what they do.