Need a reasonably priced dvd authoring program...

[chewie8008]

Trying to find a good program to author dvds with. I've given up on finding a program with everything I would like it to have. Looking for something under $100 that can do as much as it can for $100. I was looking at like Pinnacle Studio 11 Ultimate, but since they apparently don't have a demo version that you can test out, i'm scared to pay that much and get a piece of crap. I have tried a few, can't remember all what i've tried. But I have used TDA, and it's alright I guess. I really like Ulead DVD Workshop 6.0 but it's like $300-$400...

Any other suggestions. Need something with a somewhat easy interface. I'm not a complete newbie with authoring dvds, but i'm not an expert by any means.

Thanks for any help!

[SanderMan]

DVDlab. You can download a full functioning trial from www.mediachance.com

[SCDVD]

DVDlab. You can download a full functioning trial from www.mediachance.com

I second that recommendation. One of the things the author of this program did is give it a lot of depth. It's relatively simple for a less experienced used to learn and use, yet it has a lot of flexibility and capability for the more advanced user. The Pro version even has more to offer.

[Nelson37]

I recommend GUIforDVDAuthor. Does everything I need, and for free. Also less buggy and more compatible that DVDLab.

It would be helpful to know exactly what features you require, and what programs you have tried and eliminated, and why.

[GeorgeW]

I really like Ulead DVD Workshop 6.0 but it's like $300-$400...

You might be confusing the version number with Ulead's other Authoring package -- DVD MovieFactory 6.0. The highest DVD Workshop gets is version 2.xx.

DVD WS 2.x is a bit outdated (has not seen an update in quite a while, and unfortunately there's no signs that Corel/Ulead will be releasing a newer version of DVD WS ).

As the other poster asked -- what functions do you consider "must have" features

Regards,
George

[Dubber]

Vegas Movie Studio+DVD Platinum Edition 7.0

free trial:
http://www.sonycreativesoftware.com/download/step2.asp?DID=684

[AlanHK]

I recommend GUIforDVDAuthor. Does everything I need, and for free.

Second that.

Handles just about any compliant file (including mpeg1), doesn't second-guess you by reencoding anything.

You can do complex menus or just autoplay.

Can handle several soudtracks, several subtitles.

Borax, the author, is very active here and has incorporated several features I requested -- try to get Sony to do that.

[chewie8008]

Yeah, DVD Workshop 2.0 that's what I mean. I was thinking of one of the other Ulead programs, forgot which one it is, another DVD authoring program by them.

I think Workshop 2.0 was just the closest to all these than the others. I dunno, but for some reason, can't remember exactly why, but DVD-Lab Pro(trial version) seemed a bit quirky. It's been a while since I used the demo, but I remember having problems with it. Couldn't get a 2nd slideshow to work properly on it and had some problems linking multiple pages. Also I think the slideshow transitions were kinda crappy? Good chance it's all user error, but i'd hate to buy something and not really be able to use it like I need to.

Anyways, things i'm wanting to be able to do...

Need to be able to make some clean looking menus. I like to use the highlight images to navigate through the menus. One thing I really liked about Workshop 2.0 was that you could use any image as a highlight image. I could create images on photoshop and throw them right in as menu highlighters.

Menu in/out effects are cool to have, but not a big deal.

Need to be able to add slideshows

I like to have good clean looking slideshow transitions. Not just the horizontal/vertical checkerboard, blinds, push bs that some of them have.

It definetly needs to be able to add music to the menus.

There are some other things but I can't think of anything else right now...

I downloaded DVDAuthor and the GUI for it. I definetly don't know how to use that. It doesn't even look like you can add a slideshow...? And I don't even know how to start creating a menu. I click add menu and it opens a dialog asking for a video file... what am I missing? Guess I need to take a look at the manual.

[lordsmurf]

$99
http://www.ulead.com/dws/dws_express/features.htm

Compare to "full" version:
http://www.ulead.com/dws/dws_express/compare.htm

I don't think you (or most folks) need the non-Express version.

DVD-Lab is a pain the butt. TDA is inferior, albeit cheaper. SVCD2DVD is the only other option I'd suggest, but it's between TDA and DVDWS2E.

[Nelson37]

If slideshows are your main interest, I think you are looking for the wrong software.

The slideshow should be created in a program created for this purpose. Then the video which results should be authored, placed on the disk, by a program such as you request.

GUIforDVDAuthor is used to place video, not create it. Video must be demuxed into elementary streams, when you select your m2v stream it will automatically select matching audio.

Creation of slideshows is best done another way. Critical factor is scaling the image for TV display, selection and placement, or ordering, transitions such as you describe, numerous features which simply are not covered by an authoring program. Authoring programs typically do not do a good job of encoding, this is not their job. If your Authoring program is doing encoding, it is almost certain it could be done better another way.

Best such prog I have found, in five years of searching for a prog to handle 1000+ JPG files, is Ulead DVD PS, the SE version came free with one or more DVD burners. Second best such dedicated prog is the free one discussed on this website, by RinTinTin or Tin2Tin or something similar. The free one is picky about some files, whereas Ulead DVD PS is not. The rejected files were also problematic in several other progs, so it was not entirely the free progs fault, BUT the Ulead prog opened them no problem.

Scaling and/or resizing, lack of flicker, picture quality, transitions and the "Ken Burns effect" are available in both, been a year or two since I tried the free one, but Ulead was superior in many ways.

[GeorgeW]

As Nelson37 points out, the "slideshow" functionality adds an extra twist to the requirements. Ulead's recent DVD MovieFactory 6 Plus allows for some good slideshow creation options. It does not have full menu-navigation control (it uses Wizards and templates for creating the menus), but it does a nice job overall.

DVD WS does not have 16:9 menu capability (Full or Express versions). So if you require 16:9 menus, it might not be your best option. DVD MovieFactory 6 Plus does have Full and Widescreen menu functionality.

If you need the power to create your own menus and navigation (instead of using templates), then Sony's DVD Architect Studio gives you those options (for ~$49). Pretty good deal for that type of flexibility (imho).

DVDLab Pro's Slideshow functionality is "weak" -- but if you use other slideshow generation software, then DLP offers the most "Advanced" SD DVD Authoring options in its price range (imho).

Regards,
George

[Nelson37]

GDA will handle 16x9, both in video and menus.

[chewie8008]

No, slideshows are not my main concern. The main concern is for videos, but I always make a dvd with videos I have spliced together with my own audio and then throw in some slideshows that go along with the video. So the video is #1, but I do always add slideshows, so that is why i'm looking for something that does it all.

Anyways, you guys have named quite a few options here, and i'm going to check them out. I'm sure one of them will suite me.

Thanks people!

[chewie8008]

$99
http://www.ulead.com/dws/dws_express/features.htm

Compare to "full" version:
http://www.ulead.com/dws/dws_express/compare.htm

I don't think you (or most folks) need the non-Express version.

Well, I started to download the trial version of the express Workshop when I figured something out. The $99 is for UPGRADE only. Which means I have to have some sort of other Ulead product already to get that for $99. For people who don't already have some sort of unbelievably high priced Ulead product, its $199. And like $250 for the full version.

[lordsmurf]

Most burners, capture cards, etc come with some piece of free limited-edition Ulead software, if that's all you need. Same for PowerDVD or WinDVD, and Nero.

[chewie8008]

Actually, I downloaded the most recent version of GUI for DVDAuthor and it looks like it's going to be perfect. I don't remember the version I had before having such a good interface.

Anyways, thanks guys you were a lot of help!