What authoring program do you use?
- Thread starter bionic
- Start date
I used to use Spruce up <> simple to use but end result nowhere in same league as DVD-Lab
The Chookie Man will no doubt advise he has tried em all I would reckon & he is the Guru here re this sorta thing!!!
The Chookie Man will no doubt advise he has tried em all I would reckon & he is the Guru here re this sorta thing!!!
I was using Premiere, currently using Pinnacle Studio 8.X, but both are a huge overkill for simple authoring tasks...
Never liked Spruce, DVDlab is ages ahead of it. It would surely be my choice for simple authoring, but you can also check Dazzle DVD which is extremely simple to use (in fact idiotproof), and offers quite a few features for the price.
Never liked Spruce, DVDlab is ages ahead of it. It would surely be my choice for simple authoring, but you can also check Dazzle DVD which is extremely simple to use (in fact idiotproof), and offers quite a few features for the price.
Yes! tried that one and the sonic mydvd(came with my burner).
Both is ok for their use, but missing the ability to change buttons size and alignment(and absolutely nobrainers for sure
)
Played around with dvdlab some more and its seems so far to be a keeper.
Thank You all for input so far
Both is ok for their use, but missing the ability to change buttons size and alignment(and absolutely nobrainers for sure
)Played around with dvdlab some more and its seems so far to be a keeper.
Thank You all for input so far
DVDLab is very good to author with, but has a few limitations thats cripples me. It can only have 1 audio track (cant add Directors comments) and will not accept subtitles ( I need to add the english subs when foriegn/alien speak). Once they fix that I will be switching to it for all authoring. Menu creation is also very good.
TMPGenc DVD Author is good but again very limited. Good for authoring avi conversions as again it accepts 1 audio and no subs. Importing Chapter points is not supported either. Menu creating is somewhat limited.
Meastro is what I currently use as there is almost nothing it cant do. It handles up to 8 audio tracks and 32 subs tracks. Motion menu's, can re-sync audio, etc, etc the list is to long. SpruceUP is an extremely cut down version of Maestro. Menus is not very big in Maestro however, but you make them all in your favourite Graphics editor (PaintShop Pro, Photoshop, etc) and just add the buttons in Maestro.
If you want to Author something, use an Athoring tool, ones thats dedicated to authoring as that way they have a better chance of getting things right. DVD Movie Factory, MyDVD, ReelDVD, etc etc are all amateur all in one programs.
Scenarist is reported to be great also, but you need to be a rocket scientist to run it, an overkill really. I havent even tried it.
IFOEdit is just about the simplest Authoring program around and will accept just about any Video & Audio streams. Problem is is does no checking of these files whatsoever. The resultant VOB files also have to many playback problems for me (some would not play on a mates DVD Player but same files authored with Maestro on same media and same burning prog would).
Just my thoughts / ramblings on the subject.
TMPGenc DVD Author is good but again very limited. Good for authoring avi conversions as again it accepts 1 audio and no subs. Importing Chapter points is not supported either. Menu creating is somewhat limited.
Meastro is what I currently use as there is almost nothing it cant do. It handles up to 8 audio tracks and 32 subs tracks. Motion menu's, can re-sync audio, etc, etc the list is to long. SpruceUP is an extremely cut down version of Maestro. Menus is not very big in Maestro however, but you make them all in your favourite Graphics editor (PaintShop Pro, Photoshop, etc) and just add the buttons in Maestro.
If you want to Author something, use an Athoring tool, ones thats dedicated to authoring as that way they have a better chance of getting things right. DVD Movie Factory, MyDVD, ReelDVD, etc etc are all amateur all in one programs.
Scenarist is reported to be great also, but you need to be a rocket scientist to run it, an overkill really. I havent even tried it.
IFOEdit is just about the simplest Authoring program around and will accept just about any Video & Audio streams. Problem is is does no checking of these files whatsoever. The resultant VOB files also have to many playback problems for me (some would not play on a mates DVD Player but same files authored with Maestro on same media and same burning prog would).
Just my thoughts / ramblings on the subject.
aybesea
1
I tend to use three different programs, depending on what I am authoring.
For simple straightforward authoring/menuing, I use TMPGEnc DVD Author. A very quick and easy package that does a good job.
For more freedom/creativity and for authoring using non-standard sources, I use DVDLab. Again, fairly simple, but quite powerful.
For serious work I use ReelDVD 3.0. I like it and it's industrial strength.
For simple straightforward authoring/menuing, I use TMPGEnc DVD Author. A very quick and easy package that does a good job.
For more freedom/creativity and for authoring using non-standard sources, I use DVDLab. Again, fairly simple, but quite powerful.
For serious work I use ReelDVD 3.0. I like it and it's industrial strength.
Thx for both input and ramblings
Have (kinda) desided to bite the bullet and leave dvdlab behind for now(didnt realize its limitations, before mentioned )and try out something with broader audio and subs support. Might as well spend some time to learn this authoring thing for "real". Well up to a point atleast
Have (kinda) desided to bite the bullet and leave dvdlab behind for now(didnt realize its limitations, before mentioned
)and try out something with broader audio and subs support. Might as well spend some time to learn this authoring thing for "real". Well up to a point atleast If you just want a quick transfer to DVD from other sources then DVD Movie Factory 2, MyDVD, etc. can save you some time. But if you really want to ENJOY your DVDs then as ChickenMan said, Maestro is a good one and it's not that hard to master. You may find tutors for it everywhere.
Well, just my 2 cents.
linhthao
Well, just my 2 cents.
linhthao
Unfortunately DVD Movie Factory 2 cant handle AC3 audio, so it makes a lot of non-compliant DVD's.
For a great Tute on how to use Maestro, just read at http://www.geocities.com/eaussie01au/maestro.html
For a great Tute on how to use Maestro, just read at http://www.geocities.com/eaussie01au/maestro.html
I have used Ulead's DVD Workshop extensively, the menu options are totally under your control, from simple, to complex Motion Menus and/or Buttons.
You can start simple, and later, create a more professional look.
The buttons can be any size you like, and anywhere you like, you can even 'Frame' them with one of the many built in choices.
Version 1.2 is available for trial download, as is 'fully functional', exept that the Motion Menu time limit is only 5 seconds, though still gives an effective display.
Upto 6 hrs of Video can be placed on one DVD-R, more if you know a thing or two.
I'm sure it won't be the best - but it is good - and as simple, or complex, as you want to make it.
With all of this type of software, preparation will always make things easier and better.
Procode ..
You can start simple, and later, create a more professional look.
The buttons can be any size you like, and anywhere you like, you can even 'Frame' them with one of the many built in choices.
Version 1.2 is available for trial download, as is 'fully functional', exept that the Motion Menu time limit is only 5 seconds, though still gives an effective display.
Upto 6 hrs of Video can be placed on one DVD-R, more if you know a thing or two
.I'm sure it won't be the best - but it is good - and as simple, or complex, as you want to make it.
With all of this type of software, preparation will always make things easier and better.
Procode ..
@ ChickenMan
Do you have enabled preview with Maestro?
How do you do that?
Do you have enabled preview with Maestro?
How do you do that?
Yes I do, it uses a separate program for review called Ravisent Cinemaster. You need to instal it also if you want review to work.
Any version in particular or it doesn´t matter?
I want to run in WinXP
I want to run in WinXP