What's a good DVD making software?

[bvcproductions]

I have to make a few professional looking DVDs and I just want to know what the best software for doing this on a PC is? I'm quite used to working on DVD Studio Pro on the Mac at work, but I'm not gonna have any access to that during my holiday and don't want to buy a Mac just for that (not to mention the software on top).

I've heard good things about Adobe Encore, but I just want to know what else is out there for professional DVD Authoring, on the same level as DSP. I'm looking for something within the $500 - $1,000 price range, but don't be shy to list anything higer than that.

Thanks

[guns1inger]

s'funny - I haven't heard anything good about Encore - it's unstable, buggy, and doesn't cover the full DVD spec.

Within your price range I would recommend DVD Workshop 2 first, and DVD Lab Pro a close second.

[jimmalenko]

Well, if price is no issue, I'm led to believe that Sonic Scenarist and DVD Maestro are in the very top echelon.

More tools listed here:
https://www.videohelp.com/tools?s=2#2

Perhaps reading some of the user comments for each individual tool would form some educational reading material in addition to any further response you get ?

[guns1inger]

Isn't Scenarist somewhere in the $20k region (a little above $500 - 1000), and Maestro no longer available ?

[jimmalenko]

Isn't Scenarist somewhere in the $20k region (a little above $500 - 1000), and Maestro no longer available ?

You must've missed the disclaimer of "If price is no issue ..." and also the OP's statement "but don't be shy to list anything higer than that."

The Tools section lists them both as $5K, and yes, I don't think you can get DVD Maestro from retailers anywhere. But hey, the OP also asked a "What is the best ..." question, so ...

[guns1inger]

I still don't see the 'If price is no issue . . ' part in the original post. If that was the case he could just buy another overpriced mac

[jimmalenko]

I still don't see the 'If price is no issue . . ' part in the original post. If that was the case he could just buy another overpriced mac

The "If price is no issue" bit was my disclaimer to what I said in my post


Not to argue, but I've bolded the key points

... and I just want to know what the best software for doing this on a PC is?
...
I'm looking for something within the $500 - $1,000 price range, but don't be shy to list anything higer than that.

I wasn't shy, and I mentioned the best

[guns1inger]

Shouldn't you be asleep by now ? It's 12.45 in the am.

[jimmalenko]

Shouldn't you be asleep by now ? It's 12.45 in the am.

et tu ?

[bvcproductions]

Thanks for the responses. I've worked with DVD lab Pro, but prefer something closer to DSP. Looking at the page submitted by jim, DVD Architect looks interesting. Any experiences with this software?

I've been thinking about getting a PowerBook, but I don't really want to because then I'd want all those other programs I'd need and it will end up costing more than I can afford, plus I've got one at work, but if I don't find a suitable program for PC, I guess I have to get that Mac and manage to control myself somehow on what I buy.

I don't think I'll be spending money on the one that's $20,000 just now, I just wanted to know what the best is.

Thanks for all the help

[mikiem]

My personal experience is that Encore might be nice, but on the Athlon system I was using at the time I tried it, the worst dog I've ever seen.

DVDA works very well, but it's what I would call a very eccentric app. Using DVDA one gets the sense that you have to trick the software into doing what you want... Perhaps since it's only avail bundled with Vegas, you can't import m2v video, but have to run it thru a muxer without supplying audio to achieve the right format. TMPGEnc works well, but another step & more software.

Likewise it's a bit picky re: ac3. It does show a waveform for ac3, but since you can't do anything with it, what's the point? The interface takes getting used to, and there are oddities, like having to use keyboard shortcuts in some places because there's no rite click function for simple things like paste. It is memory intensive -- don't use with less then a gig or it will feel really slow.

That said, it might have the best text sub handling of all, though again it's a bit of an oddball -- the subs created will not often work well with other apps -- how important this is depends on your usage.

Except for that edge in sub handling (particularly syncing), DVD LAb pro would be my hands down choice, bearing in mind all these apps are intended for mid-range use, not in the league of the really expensive toys. Then again, our Honda gets down the road as well as a car costing 10x as much, so it's all in what you're looking for.

[julitomg]

My vote (suggestion)goes to DVD Workshop 2, I find it to be very flexible, and easy to obtain very professional looking DVDs. It´s learning curve is not as steep as other programs´and has just the right options, maybe lacks some abilities like full 5.1 support, but if you can live with that, it sure can make you look good(just make sure to download all the upgrades)

[guns1inger]

I believe that the full, registered version of DVD Workshop 2 does in fact handle 5.1 audio. I suggest you contact Ulead support as your version appears to be faulty.