CDMotion SE VCD/VCD3/SVCD software

[Dr Mordrid]

http://store.yahoo.com/dvd4u/cdmotion.html

1. SE version burns VCD, VCD3 and SVCD. What's VCD3? MPEG-1 VCD's with a 2.5 mbps data rate for higher quality.

2. NESTED MENUS. Even menus with video backgrounds.

3. CDR and CDRW compatable.

4. the bad part: $299 USD.

5. the good part: a free trial version is on the site.

If nothing else you could create a layout and see how those menus are put together

Hey, it's cheaper than IAuthor so if nothing else the prices are headed the right way.

Dr. Mordrid

[dchip]

$299 for something that amounts to a utility that properly formats a write process and makes a CD that auto starts with selectable menu, etc. That seems outrageous, but, maybe I don't know enough about it. I do know that when it comes to making CD's, one cannot leave much to chance. Anyway, maybe VCD3 is DVD? Seems to be the only thing missing from the list. Heck, who knows. I do know I won't need it anytime soon. $299..Ouch!

[dchip]

You're right, and knowing Ulead it would be an excellent piece of software and probably in the $99 price range. I really would like to make my VCD's with auto start menus. I am tired of explaining to my sister how to use
"my computer" to open her CDROM drive.

[Dr Mordrid]

Towards that end I passed on the suggestion to my contact at Ulead. Hopefully their product managers will see fit to do something with it.

Of course I took pains to inform them that SVCD compatable players are hitting the shelves in fairly large numbers in my area (Michigan, USA).

Dr. Mordrid



[This message has been edited by Dr Mordrid (edited 29 June 2000).]

[Dr Mordrid]

VCD3 is the same as VCD but with the ability to use double the usual data rate for better quality.

As for the price the next one up is I-Author at over $500 USD. That ain't exactly a bargain either.

My hope is that someone like Ulead will come out with an SVCD authoring package. They at least would likely make one that is affordable.

It also would be a natural addition to their product mix. As far as I'm concerned they wouldn't even have to have burning support. Just so long as it could create the layout. Nero & Adaptec could burn it.

Dr. Mordrid


[This message has been edited by Dr Mordrid (edited 29 June 2000).]

[cjyo~]

Doc -

Whereabouts in Michigan (if you don't mind)?

Just wondering...

[dchip]

Doc, I'll be hoping Ulead will listen. It's a bit outside their forte (graphics and photo storage / manipulation) but a few years ago one might have considered GIF animation and Mediastudio to be outside their scope also. They seem to be aggressive innovators. The very kind of company to develop a consumer CD-authoring utility that will humble the big boys who seem to have a stronghold on such programs right now. I'll be one of the first buyers if the price is right.

[Dr Mordrid]

Cjyo~;

In a small city 30 miles southwest of Detroit.

dchip;

That was one of several points I made to them. I just hope they are agressive enough to take it on. Can't you just imagine having it both as part of MSPro and as an independent product?

The precedent is there what with SmartSaver being available both ways (standalone and as part of PhotoImpact).

Dr. Mordrid


[This message has been edited by Dr Mordrid (edited 30 June 2000).]

[dchip]

That is true. I have used Photoimpact a long time and have seen it continue to grow and become quite a robust and feature-rich program. I don't do WEB graphics, but I am aware of SmartSaver. In fact that $60 program saves a lot of Web guys and gals thousands of hours of guesswork and revamps of their graphics. The pricing, in my opinion, reflects Uleads strategy of wanting wide implementation (many units sold) rather than having a high price and trying to cater to industry "professionals."

Anyway, you're right that the theoretical CD authoror would be neat integrated into MSP or as a standalone. As a general rule, when it comes to computer video, more integration and simplification is needed. Too many programs and processes that one can only pray will work with some other program and process. As I continue to learn more about DV, I get more and more nervous about sinking too much money into it. Anyhow, that's a story for another time. For now, I hope Ulead is listening to the field. The best ideas always come from there.

[cjyo~]

Doc: I'm out in CA now, but I still have family in Flint, up near Manistee and near Traverse City.

[Dr Mordrid]

Ahh....some of my camping/hunting/fishing grounds. There and across the state near the Harrisville and Alpena areas.

I grew up in Huron Township north of Monroe.

Dr. Mordrid


[This message has been edited by Dr Mordrid (edited 30 June 2000).]