I am biased because I like DVDA.
I have had issues taking output to Pinnacle.

The template I use has no audio in the video stream and then I render AC3 to save
space. I have never had issues with DVDA playing correctly on DVD players.
I have experienced audio sync issues with Pinnacle.

Right...I'm not saying DVDA is bad...I'm just saying I don't have it. I have 1 movie to do as an x-mas present and I can't justify spending the money for DVDA for a single project.

You could get DVD Architect Studio it is Cheap and is basicly the same as DVD-A without some of the most advanced features.
the download price is $39.95

http://www.sonycreativesoftware.com/dvdastudio

check it out, it is what i use and I have Vegas 8Pro that i bought from B&H (without DVD-A)

Paul B

Thanks...maybe I'll download the trial when I get home tonite. Any idea if the trial is full-functioning or is it hamstrung somehow?

I understand you are on a limited budget so i hope it's okay to give my preferred method of authoring DVDs.

1) Render as DV-AVI out of Vegas.
2) Use TmpGenc Video Encoder XPress (I think that's the name but I'm not at my video computer).
3) Create DVD with DVD Lab Pro. IMO this is a fantastic piece of software and does a great job.
4) Use Nero to burn.

The media I use is ProDisk DVD-R Printable White.

I can't think of one DVD that has ever failed using this process and I have burned thousands of DVDs.

As far as I know it is full function but only for 30 days
PaulB

Great...thanks for all the replies. I have a couple of things to try when I get home...

> 1) Render as DV-AVI out of Vegas.

I think you might be better off rendering a less compressed format in Vegas, or a MPEG for direct import into the DVD authoring app.

Before getting DVDA, I used the freeware GUI-DVD Author. You can find it on videohelp.com

There is nothing intuitive about it, but it gets the job done.

"I have had issues taking output to Pinnacle."

LOL.
Who hasn't?

I would say go with DVDa studio. The only glitch would be the AC3 encoding. The studio version has the basic encoder but unlike the Pro encoder, DVDa wants to re-encode everything that comes from that encoder.

I once asked SCS why this is but never really got a direct answer.

> 1) Render as DV-AVI out of Vegas. I think you might be better off rendering a less compressed format in Vegas, or a MPEG for direct import into the DVD authoring app.

Thanks Tim. I'm confused about your suggestion. DV-AVI IS the less compressed format. Did you mean something else?

FWIW - The results of the method I use are spectacular.

The problem with using DV in NTSC is the chroma sampling, you'll likely really notice this with titles.
You could render your main project to DV without the titles, add the titles to that AVI file and then encode directly to mpeg-2 from the Vegas T/L to get better results.

Bob.

It's not free, but DVD-Lab Pro is extremely good value for relatively little money ($250). It will let you do virtually anything that can be done with a DVD, and the only "buy up" you might ever grow into would be a $25,000 package of Sonic Scenarist. This is purely an authoring program. All media preparation (except for some basic menu construction tools) needs to be done in other utilities.

The downside of the power and flexibility is that it does not hold your hand very tightly. This is not Microsoft Movie Maker. It is not even DVD Architect. The templates that come with DVD-Lab Pro are intended more as examples for you to construct your own projects, and not as any sort of comprehensive set of project presets. It really helps to understand how DVDs are interpreted by DVD players to author a DVD using power tools like these.

DVD-Lab Standard and DVD-Lab Studio are less powerful versions of the same basic authoring program, at lower price points. See http://www.mediachance.com/dvdlab/index.html for a comparison chart and more details.

I don't work for Media Chance. I do buy and use their software, along with Sony's and lots of other people's.

I second DVD Lab Pro...It's an excellent program...

"I second DVD Lab Pro...It's an excellent program..."

I thought DVDlab didn't have full dvd simulation... is this not correct? You can't preview the full dvd prior to burning??

If I'm wrong then please excuse me... but I know that DVDit pro (from roxio) does.

You CAN preview it using the PRO Extensions which are included. I rarely use them because my DVDs really turn out great. :-0)

I do miss using Studio in this regard because it has such a fantastic method of seeing exactly what's going to happen right from the timeline. Obviously, I don't miss it that much.

You can preview using ProEx, but if all you want to do is test navigation, you do a test compile, and it replaces the assets with a still graphic that identifies what the asset would be, and a snipet of the asset audio...You play the test compile from HD, or burn a disc to test if you want, but it significantly cuts compile times for testing of navigation.

I started using TEMPEnc DVD Author 3 about a year ago because I read that the MPEG-2 image quality was superior. I've also found the work flow to be very quick - I like it much better than DVDA Pro 5. I give it Cineform HD files (or sometimes MPEG-2 from HD TV, or other formats), and out come nice images, with good menus, burned to DVD, all in one easy, relatively fast, process. It can even create subtitles and do other tricks. For my own personal use, I use it to encode to DIVX files for archiving on my hard disk.

I've only had one glitch: A project that had 4 videos on one DVD sometimes wouldn't play on some DVD players; could it have been the Ridata DVD media? Otherwise, I'm happy. Well worth the $90 price.

I just noticed on the TEMPEnc website that it is discontinued. The replacement, Authoring 4, costs $10 more, but will burn Blu Ray in addition to ordinary DVDs.
http://tmpgenc.pegasys-inc.com/en/product/taw4.html

I've only had one glitch: A project that had 4 videos on one DVD sometimes wouldn't play on some DVD players; could it have been the Ridata DVD media?
Possibly. I use ProDisc DVD-R printable white and I don't think I've ever had one fail out of thousands and thousands. My DVDs range from 30-150 minutes. Often times there will be 4 videos: main, outtakes, backstage, promo, etc.

Nero 7 came with a tolerable authoring tool.

I've authored hundreds of DVDs with TMPGEnc DVD Author 1.5 and it has a very quick workflow and is very stable. That version didn't have subtitles etc. but it was great for just getting the job done. I used that for quick and easy DVDs with a simple menu and DVDA for more advanced projects with subtitles and multiple soundtracks.

I'm looking very seriously at investing in its latest incarnation, TMPGEnc Authoring Works 4, which has more features and now does Blu-ray too.

Allen,
Have you used DVD Menu Studio. Curious if it can be used in DVDA? I see a generic export. Do I have to go through photoshop to use it?

Thanks,