Ulead DVD Moviefactory problems

[tomoki]

I don't know what the problem is but I've tried the trial version and it gives me problem when it tries to burn. No matter how much disk space it claims it need, it always end with not enough space on DVD+R. Even if the video is reportedly using half or less.

But if I use TMPGEnc to convert the video to MPG and use do not convert complient video in Moviefactory, it always works. I figured the trial version has some problem calculating an estimated file size for the DVD-/+R

I have tried to email with the complaint since the patches are for registered version only and I don't want to buy the registered version only to be dissapointed. I got what appears to be a canned reply indicating their online FAQ should have what I need (I already tried that first!!) and it ended with:

Trial softwares are fully functional in regards to hardware and software compatibility. The trial is indicative of how full version software would intitially behave. Updates and patches may solve problems, but they can not be applied to trial software. Do consider that the product may be incompatible with your system.

That still doesn't tell me if it fixes the estimate bug and the incompatible part makes me want to laugh. My PC has Win XP SP1, 2.4GHz P4, 1GB RAM, almost 1 TB hard drive space. If my PC is incompatible, they might as well admit the software is old and outdated. One of these day, someone will pass a law that makes it illegal for a canned autoreply to have no solution to the user's problem.

Before I dump the Moiviefactory and look for a different DVD authoring program, I wanted to know if any of you have issues like this and if the patches does fix the issues. Also any other problem that may arise? Or would you suggest a different DVD authoring program?

TIA

[offline]

MF might be re-encoding your video with LCPM and I'm guessing that you have audio encoded as mpeg-2? Either check your template settings or click "do not re-encode complient video" at the burn page. Ulead made a patch available that fixed this issue regarding audio re-muxing.

Forget MF, download a trial copy of Ulead's DVD Workshop 3. From all accounts it is a decent bit of software (I own an older, SE limited version.)

You should consider the cost of adding the AC3 audio pack if you intend to purchase it. MF does not come with optional AC3 support.

Also check Tmpgenc DVD Author. A trial version of this is also downloadable.

[Jayhawk]

Actually the Moviefactory names are becoming a little confusing. DVD Moviefactory 3 Standard does not include AC3 however DVD Moviefactory 3 DVD Builder does along with some other stuff including their DVD player (fairly nice one).

When I downloaded what I thought was the Standard version I wound up getting the DVD Builder version. I'm sure they are trying to push that one but is $30 more.

It appears DVD Builder does CD's, VCD, SVCD, DWD (+/- and VR). Motion menus, on disc editing for RW's, and some other nice stuff. All I've done so far is burn some TV program captures so far but it seems to work fairly well for simpe stuff. More testing today.

[offline]

DVD Moviefactory 3 Standard does not include AC3 however DVD Moviefactory 3 DVD Builder does

No standard edition of MF or Workshop comes with AC3 and "Builder" is just a replacement for the old "Suite" - a bundle of lite extras - not too confusing.

It appears DVD Builder does CD's, VCD, SVCD, DWD (+/- and VR). Motion menus, on disc editing for RW's, and some other nice stuff.

MF's core function seems to be as an attractive low cost bundling option for oem's to value add to their video/DVDR hardware. It is limited and it was this limitation that I suggested that the original poster forget MF and trial a copy of DVD Workshop - more powerful and just as intuitive for beginners.