Best DVD authoring software

[Jason B]

I can't get anything to work right. I have a 800mb mpeg file I want to burn to a DVD. When I try to open it in TMPG DVD, it says, "The video GOP is too long, Dvd video standard requires the GOP is stuctured as below.

This happens for any mpeg files I've tried to use in this progra. Help! What else can I try? I've tried windvd creator and it crashes, TMPG isn't working for me.

All I want to do is take raw avi or mpg's and make them play in a home dvd. Please give me other options.

[fritzi93]

Sounds like for the time being, you could use an all-in-one converter. Load the file, one-click and it converts to MPEG2, then authors to DVD. All you gotta do is burn it. Be advised all-in-ones generally are somewhat inferior in flexibility and quality. But here are two free ones that aren't too bad:

http://www.download.com/VSO-DivXtoDVD-Converter/3000-7970_4-10376028.html

http://members.home.nl/thefilmmachine

[Jason B]

Thanks for the reply. Now the question is, will these programs take an existing mpeg file, that isn't mpeg 2 format, and do the same thing?

[fritzi93]

Thanks for the reply. Now the question is, will these programs take an existing mpeg file, that isn't mpeg 2 format, and do the same thing?

VSO will, assuming the file's okay. No menu, no way of controlling bitrate, etc. But since you asked for other options, you could give it a try. Good luck.

[tigerman8u]

Dvd2svcd is a good program also. Don't let the name fool you cause it converts alot of formats. iirc Vso is no longer free but it is a decent program and easy to use

[fritzi93]

Dvd2svcd is a good program also. Don't let the name fool you cause it converts alot of formats. iirc Vso is no longer free but it is a decent program and easy to use

Yes, but the free version of DivXtoDVD is still available, so I suppose it's okay to provide a link. That is, unless and until VSO requests otherwise. (Like when Pegasys requested download sites no longer offer the last freeware version of TMPGEnc, v.12a. That was an MPEG2 licensing issue, if memory serves).

Anyway, I like DVD2SVCD as well. Lotta settings for a novice to deal with, though.

[turet]

I started this authoring stuff about a year or two ago. I got lots of great advice on this forum. The best of which was to use TMPGE DVD Author and DVD Shrink. There isn't much I can't do with just those two (cheap/free) programs. Don't even think about Roxio, Sonic or any of that. With my old capture device the Ulead Video Studio 7 (which may have been a lite version, I'm not sure), pulled the audio and video out of sync if the files were very large (like movie length). I never had a problem with DVD Author.

The other program that was recommended to me here was DVD Lab. This does have more capabilities than TMPGE - like the ability to switch out audio tracks/file types and to completely customize the menus so they start and loop around to exactly the points you want - but if you're newbie I'd say start with TMPGE.

[atifsh]

its been some time that iv used TMPGEnc but,
if my memory works versions before tmphenc xpress came, with few days of mpeg2 encoding, im taking bout tmpgencodr not the dvd author, it let u import any mpeg file and reincode into dvd structure file..... am i mistakin ?

[DiscCoasterPro]

I'm new to editing and authoring also. I purchased both Ulead VS9 and DVD Workshop 2. So far, I've yet to have a need for the editing capabilites of VS9. Assembling video clips and chapters with submenus and slideshows are so far so good with DVD Workshop. I've only put together a half dozen or so DVDs so far, but its all I've needed.

thanks,

[LT. Columbo]

jason b

"I can't get anything to work right. I have a 800mb mpeg file I want to burn to a DVD. When I try to open it in TMPG DVD, it says, "The video GOP is too long, Dvd video standard requires the GOP is stuctured as below.

This happens for any mpeg files I've tried to use in this progra. Help! What else can I try? I've tried windvd creator and it crashes, TMPG isn't working for me.

All I want to do is take raw avi or mpg's and make them play in a home dvd. Please give me other options"
before you can load them into tmpgenc dvd author, you need to encode them to dvd compliant files with "REGULAR" tmpgenc (a different program) this is why you get the GOP error.

@atifish
"its been some time that iv used TMPGEnc but,
if my memory works versions before tmphenc xpress came, with few days of mpeg2 encoding, im taking bout tmpgencodr not the dvd author, it let u import any mpeg file and reincode into dvd structure file..... am i mistakin ?"

i haven't seen anything like that....

[Jason B]

VSO will, assuming the file's okay. No menu, no way of controlling bitrate, etc. But since you asked for other options, you could give it a try. Good luck.

Ok, I downloaded VSO, http://www.download.com/VSO-DivXtoD...4-10376028.html

Now, I have two mpeg files. How will this work? The program seems to only take them 1 by 1. Will it join them for me?

[prodoreda]

maybe im a little late for this disscussion but i have to say that in my personal experince, the best authoring tool has to be dvd architect 3, gives excelent results for menu based dvds or single movie dvds, this version has multi-angle support, psd import menus, multi-audio, securty, region encoding, etc. great tool. you can download a demo at sonymediasoftware.com
Its a little expensive thoug

[blutach]

Thanks for the info prodoreda. Sounds good.

Regards

[cyrano]

Editing software w/good crossfades & no dropped frames

Hi -

I thought I'd resurrect this thread rather than start a new one.

I have had good results with my Ulead videostudio 6 software. Good, but not great. The crossfades are snappy and showy but not subtle. I really like the simple crossfades in Windows Moviemaker. I do not like the wmv file I end up with. I have tried to use all of my DVD burning (and converting) software. I always end up with dropped frames on the DVD. And, of course Moviemaker doesn't burn directly to DVD. The finished product looks great run from my HTPC.
I tried a 3 year old demo program last night. I think it is Video Factory by Sonic Foundry. This program have some REALLY nice transitions. From simple cross fades to more elaborate. I liked it. I didn't find some tasks that the Videostudio 6 does. One task is to find all the scene changes in a file and place cuts. That really helps put together a video. This program also did not have provisions for burning to a DVD. I found that when I went online to find the newest version info, they had sold rights to Sony. Sony has the Vegas software. Any thoughts about it?
I haven't been that impressed with the Sonic MYDVD software. And I don't use Roxio. (Is the Creator 8 suite any good?)
My Nero Smartsuite can burn but I do end up with dropped frames when I convert from another software's output.

I have used TMPG for editing TV programs and transferred Laserdiscs and I find it to be excellent. Very bugfree. Nice clean output. But no editing transitions. (I don't need the transitions for these transfers.)

So, any recommendations? I want software with at least a good, clean scene to scene crossfade (not fadeout and fadein, but that's nice to have too) and the ability to burn a DVD.

Thanks!

[atifsh]

yes get the newer and better videostudio 9