best DVD authoring

[pcvideo]

I've read many posts here and in other forums. Regarding DVD authoring, I've seen posts regarding:

Sonic MyDVD
Ulead DVD Movie Factory
Pinnacle Studio 8
MedioStream NeoDVD

probably a few others.

Does anyone know which is the "best" to use? Does anyone have any preferences from the above?

I'm trying to convert *.mpg (mpeg1 or mpeg2) to DVD (assuming conversion to *.vob), the easiest, fastest, and without errors.

[slig]

90% of commercial dvd titles are made using Sonic Scenarist. It's a complex program but you can make any kind of DVD with it. Only this program offers nearly 100% compatibility with DVD set top players. So if you want without errors and not very easy - choose Scenarist.

[Batman]

Scenarist is indeed a complex piece of software used by professionals. DVD Maestro is also good. Spruce up (no longer in development) is supposedly very simple to use.

Check out the doom9.org guides for Scenarist, DVD Maestro, and Spruce up. You may be able to get a better idea of the functionality of the various software.

[loomis2]

What about recording in VCD format? Can they all do that? I know ULEAD Movie Factory can, but it has problems converting from .avi. And finally, are the programs all available in Win98 or are they only 2000 and XP? Inquiring minds need to know!

[Batman]

TMPGEnc is ideal for VCD encoding, and best of all its free.

Scenarist is particularily intended for complex dvd authoring not VCD/SVCD authoring. Unless you want to create custom menues and professional dvd work, purchasing Scenarist would not be worthwhile.