Best DVD authoring software

[RPT]

Please forgive a real newbie question. What do folks feel is the best and simplest software to use for creating DVD's from .avi and/or mpeg files? I know this is a matter of opinion, but the folks who use this forum obviously know their stuff. What I want to be able to do is create menus and sub-menus, use video and audio clips in the menus ... the whole 9-yards.

Thanks in advance for your input!

p.s. - should I have posted this in the newbie forum?

[LT. Columbo]

tmpgenc plus

tmpgenc dvd author

hands down.


want a free 30 day trial?

http://www.pegasys-inc.com/en/product/tda.html

[tigerman8u]

"Best DVD authoring software"

the answers will probably vary but as stated above Tmpgenc dvd Author for authoring.
for converting mainconcept is the clear winner in speed, and quality IMO is excellent also.

[V Bot]

Try ULead Video Studio 9, you can get a trial at www.ULead.com. I'm wondering if there is a better program for the price $79.99. Does anyone have experience with Roxio Easy CD/DVD Creator 7.5 or any other program for the above mentioned price? I downloaded the Tmpgenc program, but have yet to master it. I think ULEad was much better/easier. I just need to know how Roxio is.

Please help.

[LT. Columbo]

"I downloaded the Tmpgenc program, but have yet to master it"

"please help"

what areas are you having problems with?

[RPT]

Thanks to all for your reponses. To pick up on a couple of comments: I've tried ULead, but for some reason I can't get it to load more than 1-hour onto a DVD. I have no idea why ... I even contacted the product forum, but I never did figure out how to resolve it. I've never been a big Roxio fan ... I've always found it to be buggy. The best thing about Roxio is the CD/DVD label making program ... I still think it's the best around. I've used Nero & WinDVD Creator ... they're both good, but they don't have the variety, flexibility & simplicity of DVD authoring that I'm looking for (maybe it's impossible to get all three features in one package!). I've downloaded the tmpgenc dvd author demo, but I haven't had a chance to tackle it yet. If I get a chance, I'll be doing so this week-end.

I'd be interested in others' views of these and other programs.

[LT. Columbo]

let us know how tmpgenc dvd author works out, glad to help if problems arise

[RPT]

I've looked at some info on tmpgenc dvd author ... am I right in assuming that you need to have encoded the files prior to using this software? Most of my video files are DivX or XVid avi's. I think that's the problem I ran into with Ulead ....
thanks!

[jmet]

"am I right in assuming that you need to have encoded the files prior to using this software? Most of my video files are DivX or XVid avi's."

Yes, use the method below.

1) Use "TMPGEnc" (or "TMPGEncPlus") to convert the .AVI (DivX-compressed or otherwise) to compliant MPEG2-for-DVD format - You can use "TMPGEnc's" DVD wizard/template to accomplish this.

2) Use "TMPGEnc DVD Author" (a different program than "TMPGEnc") to easily create the required additional DVD files and structure (and chapters and a menu, if you wish).


**If the combined file size of the DVD "package" written to your hard drive is greater than 4.37Gb, use DVD Shrink to compress it down to fit on your recordable media.


If your operating system (O/S) is either Win2000 or WinXP, TMPGEnc DVD Author can also burn your DVD. Otherwise, use NERO to burn in "DVD-Video" mode - Tutorial Located here on how to do this: http://forum.digital-digest.com/show...453#post221453

TMPGEnc - http://www.tmpgenc.net/e_download.html

TMPGEnc DVD Author - http://www.pegasys-inc.com/en/product/tda.html

[LT. Columbo]

"I've looked at some info on tmpgenc dvd author ... am I right in assuming that you need to have encoded the files prior to using this software? "

yes, but it is well worth the effort. the results that can be acheived with the two programs as outlined by jmet are outstanding. if you want those avi's on a dvd you have to convert them to dvd-compliant form first. the only other way is to have a dvd player that will support divx and burn a data disc(no conversion needed). but then you can say goodbye to the elaborate menus in which you express interest in doing.

[blutach]

Try ULead Video Studio 9, you can get a trial at www.ULead.com. I'm wondering if there is a better program for the price $79.99. Does anyone have experience with Roxio Easy CD/DVD Creator 7.5 or any other program for the above mentioned price? I downloaded the Tmpgenc program, but have yet to master it. I think ULEad was much better/easier. I just need to know how Roxio is.

Please help.

I have a friend who has WinDVD Creater 2 Platinum and he swears by it. (This is a successor prog to Roxio East DVD Creator, I think). I have seen the stuff he produces with it, and it is fully compliant. Nice stuff.

Regards

[V Bot]

Sorry, I've been off line. I'll have to get the error message I'm getting and post it. What I'm trying to do is transfer the DVD_VR (Recorded on my Ilo Standalone DVD Recorder)to DVD with menus, etc. I Had a trial of ULead Video Studio 9 that worked fine, but now I'm trying to use Tmpgenc. It seems as though it scans the disc, but it's not compatible with that particular file type. I'm also shopping for an affordable authoring program and I want to get the best for my money under $100. I want to have motion menus, music, background images, transitions.
Thanks for any help,

[RPT]

There's a terrific little program that allows you to burn directly from DVD Video and Audio directories (containing VOB, etc. files) onto DVD. Its called ImgTool, and it's available here: http://www.coujo.de/ I believe it operates as a front end for Nero, but I may be mistaken. After I encode with something like DVDSanta, or shrink a commerial DVD with DVDShrink (only those I have properly purchased, of course ) , I burn with this. Typically no muss, no fuss!

[RPT]

Anyone out there familiar with WinDVD Creator? I've been using it for a while, and it's a good basic encoder / DVD authoring program (I'm looking for something more flexible, though). One problem I have with it is when I put a number of video files in a DVD, I can't get get the DVD to default to the menu aftereach file plays ... it automatically goes to the next file. Anyone else run into this??
thx!!

p.s. - my next project is to tackle TMPGEnc DVD Author ... good thing it's supposed to be a rainy weekend here in Toronto!!

[LT. Columbo]

rpt

"p.s. - my next project is to tackle TMPGEnc DVD Author ... good thing it's supposed to be a rainy weekend here in Toronto!! "

see the guides in the "options" , "help" section, they are pretty good.