Need a faster DVD authoring/burning program

[jfrancisco]

Hi all, I've been using ULEAD's MSP7 to create AVI files and then I use ULEAD's Movie Factory 4 to burn said AVI files onto DVD media. I'm happy with the video quality, but I'm not happy with the time it takes to convert(?) the AVI files to DVD. Usually, I try to burn 4 (+/- 20minute each) AVI files onto each DVD and it takes MF4 about 5.5 hours to finish the job. Anyone out there knows of a faster-burning program? And by faster I mean at least 50% faster.

[thecoalman]

Some encoders are faster than others but the bottom line is you need a faster CPU. 3.0GHZ P4 will convert 1 hour of DV-AVI in about an hour using Ulead products.

[jfrancisco]

Many thanks Coalman (are you from/in Kentucky?) but my CPU is a P4 @ 2.4GHZ. Is a .6GHZ going to make that much difference?

[thecoalman]

Pennsylvania, and yes it will. I've seen people post itmes of about 2 hours witha 2.8 using Ulead. Each system isn't going to be exactly the same....

[jfrancisco]

Thanks again Coalman. I had been thinking on an upgrade; my horse now is 4 years old. But I was thinking on replacing it with something from the new DualCore families... Do you have information on whether or not my ULEAD software will be able to thrive in that environment?

[ranchhand]

I just did a full DVD burn in Pinnacle 10.7+ last night (about 4 Gigs), took 50". I am running an AMD Barton 2.16GHz @ 333FSB, 1 Gig pc3200 RAM. I am looking at Dual Core also, but the software used has to be written to take advantage of DC also, I guess. Not sure if Ulead4 will do that, but I understand that Pinnacle does.

[jfrancisco]

Thanks Ranchhand. Clarification on some of your terminology please? 2.16GHZ @ 333FSB? And is your AMD Barto Dual Core?

[thecoalman]

I just did a full DVD burn in Pinnacle 10.7+ last night (about 4 Gigs), took 50".

Just to clarify most of the 5 hours the OP is referring too is being taken up by the conversion from a AVI to MPEG.

[GeorgeW]

You could try some standalone software encoders -- like Cinemacraft Basic (one of the fastest I've worked with). Also, the Mainconcept Standalone mpeg encoder can encode to mpeg faster than the version builtin to the Ulead products.

A faster machine also helps -- and Ulead's VS10+ (with the Service Pack) is optimized for Dual Core...

Regards,
George