What professional DVDAuthoring software do you prefer?

[jimcornetet]

I've been using DVD Architect2 for years now and thinking about upgrading to 4 .....I've been using Sony's free 30day Trail this past month and its okay....its pretty vanilla.

What other Professional DVD Authoring software do you prefer?

#1 - I want something professional....not something off doom9.org thats extremely difficult to work with and takes 6months to figure out.

#2 - I want something that offers the ability to do some 3D graphics. I saw a home-brewed DVD done once where they took a bunch of still pics and during the TitleScreen these pics all slid in on a 3D axis with shadowing. Looked like a bunch of dominos. It was really really cool. Something Sony Architect couldnt do (unless the media was generated outside Architect and imported in)

Please list some software

[BJ_M]

ALL high end authoring apps do NOT create the menus -- you have to do that yourself (some do include some standard menus/templates)..

3D graphics are done in your NLE or in such apps as MAYA, XSI , and others (even WAX) .. you just have to be creative .....

[jimcornetet]

BJ_M.....

What do you think of Architect4? I can get a copy of this prgram for $40 from a friend.

[BJ_M]

i dont use it - so can't comment

[GeorgeW]

BJ_M.....

What do you think of Architect4? I can get a copy of this prgram for $40 from a friend.

Which version is that -- Studio or FULL

[jimcornetet]

I'm working off of Studio (thats the 30day trial off Sony's website) right now.

Is there a HUGE difference between Studio and Full?

To get FullEdition, do you have to buy Vegas7+DVD???

[edDV]

Full Architect4 is an upper middle program intended for use by somone whose main job isn't DVD Authoring. It is only offered as a companion product to full Vegas.

It will take some learnig curve. If you want something easy to learn, try ULead Movie Factory 5.

[lordsmurf]

I highly suggest Ulead DVD Workshop 2. It does not require a huge investment, it allows for quite a bit of options (multi VTS, motion menus, etc), and is really easy to use.

That domino thing you mentioned was likely done in something outside of the authoring process.

"Making menus" is not the same as authoring. Authoring is merely the assembly. The creative content is done in other software, like Maya, Premiere / Vegas or Photoshop.

[GeorgeW]

I'm working off of Studio (thats the 30day trial off Sony's website) right now.

Is there a HUGE difference between Studio and Full?

To get FullEdition, do you have to buy Vegas7+DVD???

The Full version of DVD Architect 4 (comes bundled with Vegas 7) does offer more "professional" (or SD DVD "Advanced") options over the Studio version:
-multiple audio tracks
-multiple subtitle tracks
-multiple video angles
-customizeable workspace
-preview on external monitor
-some basic scripting
-and more...


As others have already mentioned, the motion menu effects is something you'll create externally, and then use the video in your authoring application.

I think DVDA4 Full offers an excellent set of features for SD DVD Authoring.

I also like DVDLab Pro 2.x -- it has alot of advanced SD DVD Authoring features/options, and allows you to do your own VM Scripting for added control over how your DVD should play. It helps you assemble/build your DVD -- for the most part it expects you to provide dvd-compliant assets (video and audio).

Another thing to consider is how you view the upcoming HD standards/formats. Do you need HD-DVD, Blu-ray, none, both, etc...

Ulead offers a consumer package called DVD MovieFactory 6 Plus -- this application does basic HD-DVD Authoring (menus and mpeg2 video). It can burn to HD-DVD burners, or even to DVD5/9 discs. The software will also burn directly from a video source to BLu-ray disc -- creating a BDAV disc (playable in your BD Player). And it also supports AVCHD (input). As far as SD DVD Authoring -- it's a wizard-driven approach with menu templates. You cannot customize the menu navigation as freely as you can with some of the other packages mentioned.

Speaking of HD -- Adobe just announced their next big upgrades. Encore looks like it will be bundled with Premiere, and Blu-ray Authoring is a mentioned addition. Not sure when that will actually hit the streets...

And Sonic DVDit Pro HD offers some Advanced SD DVD Authoring, with Blu-ray authoring as well.

Regards,
George

[edDV]

I suggest you master SD before considering HD apps.

The confusion here is "consumer vs. "professional". This refers to the skill of the operator.

"Consumer" programs assume low operator skill so use canned templates and picture menus (like a Denny's) to choose what looks like a high end effect. You push the button and get the effect. It may have some limited user handles but is essentially canned. Most of these programs allow simple moving menu creation and common menu templates with some user variable choice. Ulead Movie Factory is among the best of these.

"Professional" programs assume high operator skill and only offer some training templates to get you started. Most professionals create the elements for a DVD (known as assets) in other programs and use the authoring program for asset collection, linking of audio plus caption channels to video assets, extensive button navigation linking and preview. The pro program will start with a blank page and few tools but skill will reveal the subtile power deep in the menus.

Most users should master a good consumer program before venturing to the pro side. The terminology will make more sense and the feature value will be more obvious.

Another class of authoring programs are for true "professionals". You will need pro training and lots of money (for pre-production and hardware) to mke these useful.

[GeorgeW]

I suggest you master SD before considering HD apps.

The confusion here is "consumer vs. "professional". This refers to the skill of the operator.

Totally agree. The big question mark is what the OP considers "professional" at this point -- having used DVDA2 for "years" now, he probably has an understanding of SD DVD Authoring to some degree...

Regards,
George