dvd authoring software

[schmosef]

Having spent most of yesterday authoring a dvd, I am ready to declare that every program I've tried is crap.

They all have ridiculous limitations.

Is there a better product out there that's not $20,000?

I've tried DVD movie factory, Nerovision Express, and PowerProducer. What else should I try?

I'd like better template editing. Better button positioning control. And better reliability.

I had everything just about the way I wanted it in PowerProducer 2 Gold but when I burned the project it replaced the backgroung graphic I chose with an animated movie reel from one of it's templates. I tried tweaking the project and re-burning to no avail. Finally I tried downloading the trial for version 3 and using that. Amazingly it has even less capability that version 2!

In the end, what we were finished with was a compromise and not what we'd envisioned at all.

How's the stuff by sonic? DVDit? MyDVD? Any better?

Doc, Brian... What do you guys use?

[Mikele]

Well, I have tested a lot of programs and my number one is "Adobe Premiere Encore 1.5.1". Yes, it has bugs, but you can do everything. It's dificult to understand the interface.

Second is Ulead DVD Workshop 2. It's fast, automatic or manual... You can't do everything, but it's ok.

Third, if you want something VERY automated, then you can go to Pinnacle Studio 9 Plus (Dolby, VBR, manual Bitrate). It's fine and this version is quite usable. Other versions are crap.

You can forget recorder suites like nero, powerdvd, etc.

[Dr Mordrid]

I'd not even go near Encore because of the bugginess. Ick....

My top two picks would be DVD Workshop and DVD Lab Pro.

DVD Workshop:

http://www.ulead.com/dws/runme.htm

DVD Lab Pro:

http://www.mediachance.com/dvdlab/dvdlabpro.html

Dr. Mordrid

[schmosef]

Thanks for the suggestions everyone. I'll look into all the apps mentioned.

[Brian Ellis]

IMHO, go for DVD Workshop. It gives you enormous flexibility. There is a lower-cost Express version which has almost all of the functionality, unless you are going into Pro pressing of multiple DVDs via a DLT tape, or you require multiple sound/sub-title tracks (I think Express allows you 2 of each, from aged memory)

[Debbie]

Ulead DVD Workshop 2 any time !!

[landrover]

Don´t use Sonic. Their apps have stability issues which remind me of the Win9X days. I´ve read several reviews claiming the same trouble.

[Hulk]

Another vote for DVD Workshop 2.

If you want top quality I suggest creating your menus using an image editor and a NLE. Then create highlight to be positioned over your buttons, which would be set to be always invisible.

This way everything visible on the menu except the highlights is created in an NLE or image editor. That's how pros create menus. No restrictions at all.

- Mark

[cods]

I'll take Spruce DVD Maestro anyday.
Worth the effort to learn.