Need recommendation for DVD authoring.

[louhall]

I have a Dell XP, 2.4, 256 ram, 80 GB with OptoRite DD0401, WinFast 2000 XP and DVD Copy X with TMPGEnc DVD Author 1.5 for a thirty day trial. I have Sonic 4.5.0.0, Nero 5.0, DVD Movie Factory 2.5, simple programs that came with the added hardware.

My goal is to produce DVDs for home tapes now in VCR form.

It has been suggested that I consider DVD Movie Factory 3 which also has a free thirty day trial.

Which of the above two programs would you suggest that I spend thirty days trying out? In doing this, I would prefer to buy the one I tried out.
By the ads it appears that DVD Movie Factory 3 is easier to use. This appeals to me. What is not appealing to me is the continued accumulation of costs for harware and software where I have no intention of making DVD creation a time consuming avocation. Or, maybe you might suggest another piece of software for my use in creating DVDs.

Thanks for help. I have someone of a feel for PC use, but the technical side of the various formats, settings, file extensions in audio and video is a little over my head.

[redwudz]

DVD Factory appears to be an all in one package, probably easy, may not be as versatile as a combination of TMPGEnc encoder and TMPGEnc DVD Author. TMPGEnc and TDA are fairly easy to use and I like the options that are available with them. I would study the comments for both packages in the 'Tools' column to the left. I think you will find more people here use the TMPGEnc encoder and TDA combo than DVD Factory.

[carolann]

I love TMPGEnc DVD Author 1.5. It's easy to use and allows you to easily cut out commercials without re-encoding. I purchased it along with the AC-3 extension and haven't regretted the choice.

[loughary]

I would 2nd TMPGEnc DVD Author 1.5 very simple to use, short learning curve. The only thing I wish it had was more DVD menu templates, but you can easily make your own.

[louhall]

Many thanks,

Elsewhere within this forum I found a poll of what those posting used for DVD authoring. TMPGE was way ahead by a large margin. As I play with the software during the free thirty days, I will try and determine the difference between encoder and authoring. What I find hard in this matter is knowing what formats to use, what programs to use in combination and what settings to make. This, I know, I will have to learn on my own. I plan to do a little experimenting with capturing some TV. It seems that will be easier than dragging out the camcorder with tapes, etc.

For now, I will continue to use TMPGE, then buy it if I am enjoying it.

[loughary]

Louhall,

You chose the right forum to start. I started about a year ago looking for the way to convert all of my family videos from camcorder and VHS to DVD. This site with all the “How to guides” as well as with the help of the forums I have converted about 50 tapes to DVD. At first it is a little overwhelming hang in there you’ll get it done. My self I have had great results with the combination of VirtualVCR (for capturing) + TMPGEnc Plus (for encoding) + TMPGEnc DVD Author (for authoring and burning).

[louhall]

Thanks, and another couple of questions.

I have been using MySonicDVD [because it came with some of the added stuff] to capture the camcorder [non digital camcorder] to mpg files on hard drive. Then I have used the TMPGEnc DVD for authoring and burning. I just identify start and end frame and cut it in, or out [hard to get that straight]. I have these two hour 8mm Sony camcorder tapes that come out to about 6.5 gigs of .mpg that I have to split and put on two disks.

Does the above make sense? What is "encoding" and do I need another piece of software for that? I have about 22 hours of VCR and 8 mm tape to convert to DVD. I sure don't want to go through it twice.

Any thoughts, or suggestions, anyone?

[reboot]

Short version of "Encoding": Making (in your case) a dvd compliant mpeg.
If you are able to author in TMPGEnc DVD Author, and successfully burn, then you don't need another encoder, or add any steps.
Generally speaking, encoding is used to turn an avi (or other source) into an mpeg, which is then authored and burned. Sonic is capturing in mpeg format already (probably mpeg1, but that's not seriously important right now), which TDVD recognizes as a compliant mpeg, allows you to author (add chapters and menus if needed) and then burns.
If your burns are looking the way you want them to, I would suggest, if it works, don't fix it.

[loughary]

I would recommend using a capture program like VirtualVCR and capture at like half D1 352 x480 (read capture guides) and then use TMPGEnc to encode the file to a format ready for DVD. With a source like VHS, I’ve had great results with encoding at half D1 with a bit rate of under 4000 and you should be able to fit about 2 hours on one DVD. When using TMPGEnc you can adjust the bit rate to fit as much as you want on a DVD but the quality will suffer.

[Vanderlow]

ABCNews did a review of MovieFactory

Ulead DVD MovieFactory 3 Disc Creator
Entry-level Authoring Program Has Flawed Interface

Review
by Jan Ozer
PC Magazine


April 26— With digital video cameras and DVD burners finally becoming affordable to mainstream consumers, it's not surprising that the entry-level DVD authoring market has suddenly exploded.

Product at a Glance

Pros: Adds handy new features like multitrim support and real-time preview of motion thumbnails and menus. Very intuitive slide show interface.
Cons: Small, fixed UI and confusing trim tools. Limited op-tions for DVD navigation.
Bottom line: Although Ulead's DVD MovieFactory 3 Disc Creator is a competent product, it simply can't compete with some of the better software in this market, namely Sonic Solutions' MyDVD Video Suite.

Editor Rating:

Company: Ulead Systems, Inc.; www.ulead.com
Price: $99.95 direct.

http://abcnews.go.com/sections/scitech/ZDM/DVD_MovieFactory_software_pcmag_040426.html

[mecg]

I've been using MovieFactory 2 almost exclusively since I started with this. (I recently ordered Vegas 5+DVD, can't wait till it gets here!!!). I am soooooo glad I didn't upgrade to MF3. I've seen mostly bad reviews on it. This site is incedibly helpfull ( I guess 100 heads are better than one ). Sorry for rambling on..... Bottom line - although I love MF2, avoid MF3 like the plague.

[reboot]

I'd love a copy of MF2 just to compare. I'm in my first day of trial with MF3, and so far it's not so bad.
Easy enough for dummies like me.

Edit: Do NOT bother with MF3. The output is simply horrible, and the time it takes to burn a dvdr....3+ hours, and it looks like my first VCD on the TV.
I could do the same project in tmpgenc dvd author in about 1.5 hours, and actually have a finished disk I can watch.

[ZombieBiscuitEater]

Hey folks,
I know thta nobody has mentioned it yet, but DVDlab is with out a doubt the easiest, most flexiable authoring program I've ever seen. I've tried them all and this one lets me do exactly what I want, no prefab menus or limited choices. It is PERFECT and it's only around $100. I CANNOT recommend it high enough. Try out the free download in the tools section.

Good Luck

[reboot]

Wait...DVDlab is "easy"?
I didn't think so. I still have it installed. I open it every now and then, just so I can wonder at the confusion of it all.
Maybe some day, in the near future, I will try and cram yet one more tutorial in, and actually try and make a dvdr with it.