Comments

BillyBoy wrote on 9/3/2002, 4:57 PM
For its price you can't beat Ulead's DVD Movie Factory. Simple, fast, wizard based, builts chapters easily, can add custom images, background music, includes fast DVD burning directly from Vegas rendered files, so no rendering a second time. Download a free trial and see. Till SoFo comes up with something better, all many people will need. Cheap too, why spends hundreds, when this does the same things for $40.
jthor wrote on 9/3/2002, 9:11 PM
Just curious, what make of dvd burner are you using?
BillyBoy wrote on 9/3/2002, 10:21 PM
I'm using a HP 200i which does the newer DVD +RW and DVD+R.
kkolbo wrote on 9/3/2002, 10:53 PM
DVDit PE is an excellent App. It is a little harder to use than others but has a abilities such as using AC3 audio that others do not. Your next step up is Reel DVD, but I question if I will ever step there. I am waiting for someone else to support 5.1 AC3 first and then compare.

Right now I use DVDit when it I need it to transocode the audio to LPCM and ensure that it will play on everything. When I am less concerned, about compatability, I use DVD Workshop for the motion menu support and the better highlighting. Both Apps have their strengths so I would be hard pressed to pick a winner in their price category. I use both depending on the end use.

If you want the best, it is still SceneArtist from Sonic Solutions, but it is out of my market price wise at the moment.

K
TLT wrote on 9/4/2002, 10:18 AM
I am using Dazzle's DVD Complete http://www.dazzle.com. $99.00 downloadable demo at site. I use Pioneer-104 DVD-R burner (around $275.00 if purchased online) go to VCDHelp.com and read user reviews on the Pioneer. DVD-R disks from http://www.meritline.com ($1.14 for bundle of 25)Have had NO compatability problems with this combination. DVD complete is wizard driven very easy to use. Highly recommend this software.
vonhosen wrote on 9/4/2002, 12:02 PM
The big thing about DVDit PE is that it is probably the cheapest software to include Dolby Digital encoder/support. The ability to use compressed audio is a big plus for both space saving & allowing higher encode rate for vidoe to up quality.

The problem with other applications is that they have to use PCM audio for NTSC player compatability .

MPEG-1 layer II audio offers the same sort of compression for audio as Dolby but without the huge licensing fees. PAL players support MPEG audio so that can be used for PAL projects. A growing number of newer NTSC players should be supporting MPEG as manufacturers try to use common chipsets & players include support for formats like .mp3 .

If you want software that supports PCM & MPEG audio then I support TLT's statement about DVD complete. For $99 it is fantastic value, quick to learn & use & of course gives fantastic results. It shames DVDit with the prices that Sonic (Solutions not Foundry) charge.

But if it comes down to you must have Dolby audio then DVDit PE is the cheapest you'll probably find though not the best. If you are making a living out of DVD you'd be better looking at ReelDVD etc ($1000). This has built in Dolby stereo encoder, & will apparently allow import of Dolby 5.1 audio (although not encode it)
stepfour wrote on 9/4/2002, 3:50 PM
Another vote for Dazzle DVD Complete. Great package. Menu buttons with motion, Templates that helps you easily create everything from disc labels to jewel case labels. Great quality output. It uses MPEG audio. Has not been a problem with discs I have made and sold to customers.
seeker wrote on 9/4/2002, 10:16 PM
Videoguy,

Ulead's DVD Movie Factory is probably due for a new version in the not too distant future, but the current version is excellent for the money. It's big brother, Ulead DVD Workshop, costs more but has more features. For a feature comparison between DVD Movie Factory and DVD Workshop, click on:

http://www.ulead.com/dws/compare2.htm

For a discussion of Ulead DVD Workshop in comparison with other DVD authoring products, click on:

http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,4149,7128,00.asp

Ulead has downloadable demos of both products.