Creating menus

[Meriks]

What are the best tools to create menus for DVDs? By menus, I don't mean some fixed menus which can be created by Nero! I mean animated menus. I know Encore CS3 does it but it is very expensive. Are there solutions available which are less expensive or even free?

[guns1inger]

Do you want template driven menus like Nero and Encore and iDVD, or do you want original works ?

Any editor, including Virtualdub/AVI Demux or avisynth can produce suitable video for menu backgrounds. Use filters to add different effects. GUIForDVDAuthor can be used to assemble the parts and create the menus and author the disc.

Personally, I use Vegas for the video work most of the time, and DVD Lab Pro for assembling the final disc. However the free tools can do most of the same work, just with a little more effort.

You can also look at TDA, or the budget end of the Ulead range for less expensive options.

[Meriks]

I have DVD Lab Pro. I'm gonna check the rest of the softwares you named. And as a reply to your first question: original work

[lordsmurf]

You'll need graphics and video software to create the menu assets. I use Photoshop and Premiere for those, then Ulead DVDWS2 to author.