What's wrong with Nero Vision Express?

[Des]

In my readings I have noticed that Nero Vision Express seems to be given a bad rap. I have just begun using it (switching from ULead DVD Factory 2) because of the ability to animate the backgrounds and buttons. So far I have found it very easy to use and ver reliable. The disks play in both of my DVD players, computers, and players at work. Basically so far so good.

So I guess my question is: What is the bad side of this software?

Granted, I don't use it for capturing or editing. For that I use Vegas Video or just a direct capture using Mainconcept encoder to DVD/MPEG2.

--Des

[jorbje]

I tested the encoding quality with NVE and compared it with TMPGEnc DVD Source Creator. NVE is far better (I used the same bitrate and CBR) and faster.

But for some reason NVE encodes deinterlaced, i.e. it skips each second field, making the result look half resolution vertically and giving it a "film look" because of 25 fps instead of 50 (PAL). I really hope this is because of something wrong with my computer/NVE or some settings I have overlooked.

An other downside is the menu. You can't hide chapters in the menu. So if you want chapters you MUST have buttons to every one of them in menus, or you can switch menus completely off.

But I bought Nero 6 because it will be used in a video group for youths and it has to be very simple and complete. The only alternative I found at such a low price is the TMPGEnc DVD Source Creator with TMPGEnc DVD Author. But that is TWO operations, no AC3, and no preview. And a bit more expensive because we already had Nero Express bundled with a CD burner, and just had to upgrade to Nero 6 retail.

[reboot]

I find the "bad side" fo the software is the lack of control. If I want to output a non-standard (half D1) video, at a given bitrate, I encode it that way. Nerovision then stuffs error messages in my face, insists on re-enconding the whole video, producing lower quality mpegs, and out of sync audio.
If Nero had a few more advanced options, relaxed compliance standards, or at least a place to customize framesize, if it accepted AC3 audio, if it accepted separate elementary audio and video streams...
It just can't do what I want, nor can it do it quickly, nor can it do anything without re-encoding.
I'll stick to separate encoding and authoring apps, that do what I want, not a one-click solution that produces poor quality output.

[jorbje]

NeroVision Express is not meant for advanced use. It is meant for those who want to do EVERYTHING inside Nero including encoding. And it is for those who want it as easy and automatic as possible. That's why it's so cheap.

If you want more control, and want to use a separate encoder, NeroVision Express is just not your program.

[Des]

I think I must be avoiding most issues since I don't use NVE to capture, just to author the actual disk.
I like ULEAD DVD MOVIE FACTORY 2 a lot, but I guess I'm drawn to the "shiny toys" that NVE has for making menus, backgrounds (animated) and some other stuff. Plus it's just down and dirty simple to use.
Any other programs worth looking at (say ULEAD DVD MF 3) that offer these same bells and whistles??

--Des

[reboot]

DVDLab. More "bells and whistles" than NVE, and much better quality output as well. Strictly for authoring though. It won't transcode/encode your video, but does have a few tools for resampling audio. Built in basic aspi burner too.
Tutorial: https://www.videohelp.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=220092

[Des]

I took a look at dvdlab and I like that it doesn't try to re-encode the video streams, but it doesn't do a lot of the cool/nifty stuff that NVE will do. No animated menus/backgrounds and it's very particular about what it will import (no mp3 files, no wmv).
I guess I can stick with NVE for videos from the digital camcorder, and for those I make from the older 8mm and vhs tapes I can stick with ULEAD (or capture them at 704x480 instead of 352x480).
I make some DVDs for bussiness, and for that I keep the menus simple. Others I make for my enjoyment and to annoy my friends javascript:emoticon('') so the fancy, unnecessary stuff is cool then.

--dES

[reboot]

but it doesn't do a lot of the cool/nifty stuff that NVE will do. No animated menus/backgrounds and it's very particular about what it will import (no mp3 files, no wmv).

WHAT?!
Are you looking at the same dvdlab that I'm using?
You want cool/nifty, dvdlab will run circles around NVE.
You want motion menus, dvdlab will give you motion sickness.
You want animated backgrounds, do it.
Click on the GFX button for more fun.
It's an AUTHORING program, not a one-button POS, so of course it doesn't accept mp3 and wmv. It accepts mpeg2 compliant video streams, and mp2/wav/ac3 audio, based on dvd compliance.

[Des]

Guess I didn't look at it (or the tutorial) close enough. Will check it out again.
The .wmv and .mp3 isn't a real big deal (hell we're talking about converting stuff anyways).
How does it handle video streams of two different resolutions? ie.; VHS capture at 352x480 and DV capture 704x480 on the same disk? I noticed blurb on their website that DVDLab pro would handle that (but for $100 more!!!) but wasn't sure what happens in the standard version.

--dES

[reboot]

I regularily mix (S)VCD and DVD res as well as full and halfD1 all on the same dvdr. Yes, it gives you a warning about mixing and how it may not play on all players, which is true, but it will compile and burn it.
You can also mix video and data on the disk, if so inclined.
The only thing it insists on, is 48khz audio. If you're importing (S)VCD, it will kindly resample the audio to 48khz for you, with it's built in tool. It will also read, and import mpeg's from SVCD burns, and .vobs, even joining the vob's together as one file.
I know there are some issues with beta 1.4, but I've been using 1.3.1 for quite awhile, with no troubles anywhere.
No point in getting the Pro version, unless you KNOW you're going to need it's extras.

[Des]

REBOOT-- upon your recommendation I d/l the demo of DVDlab. WOW! this does a lot!! Got the basics down (using your guide) pretty quickly. Seems pretty intuitive. I did a simple test with a 6 minute home video and then set up menus, musicv, motion, etc. Did a save to HD compilation of it. Only problem I found is that the button I made to go from the main menu to the chapter menu appeaed blank inside (though it did link). I made the button using a still frame from the video, but I did not save that shot to the HD, I just created it into the assets menu (images tab).
Any suggestions? Will play again later tonight.
I think that for more personal use and the few clients I have that require real slick products this program will be great and I'll buy it. For those that are just simple conversions (of various things) I'll probably use Nero just because it's so down and dirty simple.

Thanks!

--dES

[reboot]

When you say "appeared blank inside"...I'm not exactly sure what you mean, but here's what I think may have happened.
You imported a button, then linked it to the menu. You then put some text on the button, or a picture, by using drag and drop. You then rendered the motion menu.
This is the wrong order
You must import the button/frame, then import the text/image, then link that text/image, not the button itself.

[Des]

I found out what I did wrong.
I placed the image ontop of the motion menu and I didn't render it out as a video file first. Once I corrected that and then put a simple frame around the image I had the working button.
It's a very 'steps' intensive program if you want to get fancy, but considering the end result (which is fantastic) and that it does't re-encode or harm the video files in any way it is worth the efforts. Also, I did my second experiments in half the time it took me to do the first so it just goes to show how quickly a menu can be done once you learn DVD Labs needs.

I'm still using NVE for stuff from the DV camcorder right to disk, but for things from VHS capture, or when I want a really specific type of menu this looks like it will be the program of choice.

Thanks again.

--dES