Ulead Movie Factory 2 does everything!!!!

[digitalmaster]

I have a DVD+R\+RW burner and have tried many of the DVD authoring software packages out there. Ulead Movie Factory is totally compatible with DVD+R or +RW. In my opionion Ulead Movie Factory 2 does everything a home user could need. It can automatically add chapters to your video files at whatever interval you choose, or let it detect the scene changes itself. It can import VIDEO_TS folders(many DVD authoring packages cannot do this) and transcode them down to a smaller size with different resolutions. You can choose CBR or VBR encoding and change the bitrate and format of the audio. I found some programs will automotically convert your video file without giving you a choice, even if it is already near the standard. If your video file is close to the DVD\SVCD\VCD standard, Ulead Movie Factory 2 will not convert it unless you uncheck the box telling it to not to. MF 2 allows you to capture external video or televison and editing commercials out of a recording is a cinch with their editing tool. Just select multiple parts of a show that you want to keep all at once. MF 2 does not do any encoding until you are done selecting the parts you need, thus reducing the annoying long pauses you get in other software packages. Also burning DVD+R\+RW was flawless. This software also has many menu templates and allows you to change the layout on the fly. This is a very simple program to use and does not seem to bog down my processor like other authoring packages do. For the price, this software is unbeatable.

[duggyuk]

what it DOES not do is print CD label and DVD box art from the DVD you just authored.

This is why I use Dazzle DVD. This burns the disc with a menu that has matching artwork to the CD label and box art...

[sklindell]

Does ULEAD Moviefactory 2 have scene transitions? I look at their web site and didn’t notice that feature. I currently use Pinnacle Studio 8.3 and I really like the transition option. I don’t use most of them, but it is nice to have a scene fade when I’m moving from a period of time to another in my home videos. I’m looking for software that is simple, flexible and works..

[digitalmaster]

No, it does not offer transitions. That is another thing it is lacking. I guess I overlooked a couple things. I was just so impressed by how easy it to use and how it created my DVD+r/RWs without any problems. I do agree Dazzle DVD Complete is a complete program but for whatever reason it does not support DVD+Rs yet, only DVD+RW, It did not seem to support my brand new 4x TDK IndiDVD burner either. I had to use Nero as the burning software. Also, DVD Movie Factory 2 is half the price.

[MOVIEGEEK]

Well almost everything.I tried the trial version and found MF2 to be buggy and too complicated,I'll stick with Sonic MyDVD(allows WMV/WMA,has DVD slideshow transitions,motion menus and is very easy to use).

[donpedro]

It is very nice and easy to use software when you are not planning to do any edits.

It doesn't support these features that I need for my home video:

-No effects like (variable speed, color adjustments)
-No motion DVD menu
-No titles
-No transitions
-Not that easy to cut/trim when heavy editing is involved
-Can't add additional sound that will be mixed with original
-Can't save to file (mpeg for example) only. At least I am not aware of that.
-Can't output back to tape.

And in addition these that are not importatnt to me:

-AC3 sound
-Subtitles
-No 16:9 support

I would say that "Ulead Movie Factory 2 does everything!!!!" is not valid statement.

[rhegedus]

Just wait until you have sync problems!

Do a forum search to see how bad it can be.....

Regards,

Rob

[miamicanes]

Well, it might technically handle VBR, but it's basically unusable if the VBR-encoded MPEG-2 file is more than 60 minutes long by virtue of taking 30 seconds or more to find the nearest I-frame more than 60 minutes into the file.

It's a shame, because all they REALLY need to do to fix the problem is build their own working index of I-frame byte offsets and use THAT when placing chapter points and the lead-out point in VBR-encoded MPEGs instead of stupidly re-parsing the entire file from the start.

What really SUCKS is that I have yet to find ANY program like DMS2 that DOES handle long VBR-encoded files properly. Sigh.

[Robert Simandl]

Don't know what I'm doing right, but I've yet to have a single DMF2 project play out of sync in my DVD player.

Maybe it's because I do all my encoding and editing in other programs, and use DMF2 only for authoring the already compliant and edited files?

[tomclary]

Maybe it is better to say MovieFactory does everything you need to author a DVD not everything you might imagine wanting.

It does seem a bit off base to complain about features you expect in a video editing package and not in a DVD authoring package. If extensive editing is what you want to do, get an editing package that is designed for that. The simple cutting options provided work great for me because the video is edited on another system.

The ability to deal directly with VOBs seems very powerful. One drawback a friend has discovered it that MovieFactory does not handle AC3 audio even if it does not have to reencode the file.

[Doggiedaddy]

Where did you get the idea DVD Complete does not support DVD+R. I have 2 HP 200i and use DVD Complete all the time. It indeed does support DVD+/- R/RW. I also have a Pioneer 105 and use the program on this also. Dazzle does have some limitations but compatibly with +R is not one of them.

[donpedro]

Maybe it is better to say MovieFactory does everything you need to author a DVD not everything you might imagine wanting.

It does seem a bit off base to complain about features you expect in a video editing package and not in a DVD authoring package.

I think you are right. I missed that this post is in DVD Authoring forum. Sorry. It is just that program that I use does it all.