DVD Authoriing Software Suggestions

[Cyronaseez]

I'm new to dvd Authoring, currently using ConvertXtoDVD and I'm not a big fan of the program. I'd like more options with menus, settings, stuff like that. I know threads about 'whats the best software?' always lead nowhere but I'd like some suggestions for some different software to play with.

Thank you.

[usually_quiet]

If you are willing to use something else to convert the video to be DVD compliant, GUI for dvdauthor / GUI for muxman is the most versitile of the free DVD authoring programs.

[guns1inger]

It depends what you are after. ConvertXtoDVD is not a real authoring tool. It is a converter that has some very basic, template driven authoring facilities. Real authoring tools require a lot more manual intervention, and therefore planning and preparation.

There are basic tools such as Tmpgenc DVD Authoring works or Ulead Movie Factory, which start with templates and allow you some freedom to adjust and modify, to full blown, ground up authoring tools such as DVD Lab Pro or DVD Workshop. GUIForDVDAuthor fits closer to the latter.

Basic tools require less though and planning, as they are more limited in where you can go. You can great nice looking output, but within a limited range of styles.

The more professional tools require a lot more work on your part in planning out the design, preparing assets, thinking around the limitations of the DVD specification etc. You can create very professional looking discs that rival and/or surpass much of the studio produced work, but only if you put the time into it. This means you also need to know how to edit video, add motion graphics, work with still images correctly and more. If you want to work with the higher end tools you will also have to learn how to properly encode you videos before authoring, as many won't encode for you, or have limited encoding abilities.

[mkrve]

I'm also rather new to the whole dvd-authoring.

For now i just used the dvd-authoring tools that were in the movie edditing programs i used (pinnacle, magix, etc)
but those are kinda limited i think.... but... i also do not want a over complex programm

what i'm realy looking for is a dvd authoring program that can handle dvd movies (i edit and encode them i a other program) and maybe pictures for slideshows...but else i can also make a slideshow in the movie edit program.
And have just a nice collection of professional looking templates. Ability for animated menu's, moving backgrounds, automaticly generated chapter menu's etc...

if someone like to recommend a programm that can do this and is not to complex, it would be great

[usually_quiet]

TMPGEnc Authoring Works and Ulead DVD Movie Factory are probably the closest to what you want, but will likely fall short of your expectations. They have free trial versions, so at least you can try them before purchasing.

However, IMO if you want something truly professional/custom looking you are probably going to find you need to prepare your own assets (menus, buttons, music) and learn to do your own design and planning.

I am more familar with the freeware programs than payware ones. For slideshows, there's DVD slideshow GUI, which s a separate program, but requires GUI for DVD author to author the slideshow DVD.

[ntscuser]

No offence intended but I've found TMPGEnc DVD Author to be pretty much "idiot proof" and provides reasonably professional looking results. I still use it from time to time for "quickie" jobs when I don't have the time to use a more sophisticated program.

[lordsmurf]

I would say TDA (TAW) is far from professional. It has that cheesy "look at me, I'm homemade" type of quality to it. But it is easy to use.

Ulead DVDWS2, on the other hand, is professional software, with many abilities found in DVDSP or DVD-Lab, but with an interface that is as easy as TDA.