DVD authoring software alternatives

RHagedorn wrote on 5/27/2004, 8:14 PM
Hi,

I have entered the magical world of DVD burning and am really excited about it with MyDVD that came with MovieStudio. However, from some threads I've read, it seems that it has some limitations such as adding chapters. Although I was impressed with the ease of getting my video to disc quickly. Which DVD authoring product would be the next step to more advanced DVD creation? Is DVD Architect a good one and can it be purchased separately from Vegas? I'm wondering if it would be difficult for Sony to pull the two products apart.

Thanks in advance ...

Comments

JamesMessick wrote on 5/27/2004, 8:54 PM
Dunno, but after I made my first two coasters with MyDVD I reverted to Roxio's My Easy CD & DVD Creator, which came with my drive. Not as nice, but at least it works.
ADinelt wrote on 5/27/2004, 9:04 PM
It would be great if Sony included a "light" (or full) version of DVD-Architect with Screenblast!! But until then, I will continue using DVD-Lab.

Al
ronaldf wrote on 5/27/2004, 9:20 PM
You can upgrade the MyDVD that came with MS to their latest version for about $40. It allows chapter points. It has always worked good for me. As soon as I learn DVDA2, I'll be switching to it.
IanG wrote on 5/28/2004, 12:26 AM
I'm a fan of DVD-Lab too, though the ULead products are worth a look. The upgrade price from MS to Vegas is $200 more if you include DVDA, so I'm not expecting it to be bundled with MS anytime soon!

Ian G.
MrSpeed wrote on 5/28/2004, 5:36 AM
After a ton of research I went with Ulead Movie Factory 3. There are some downides such as the fact that motion menus always have to start at the beginning of the chapter. On the plus side is the AC-3 encoder and the overall simplicity. It was fine for my current project. I bought Ulead Movie Factory 3 some some low price of $65 or something like that from compusa, which frequently has instant and mail in rebates. It has been rock solid plus it can work nicely on it's own when you just want to convert home videos to DVD, which will be my next task.

In the future when I have more time to invest I will probably go with DVD-lab. It looks great.
jtfrazer wrote on 5/28/2004, 1:52 PM
Another vote for DVD-Lab here...

Jim
GerryLeacock wrote on 6/9/2004, 5:23 AM
Re-opening an old post here... Recently bought DVD X Maker by 321Studios. It's US$50 on the web. Got it for $29.95 Canadian (US$22.21) at Future Shop locally. Does everything the big boys do, without the "learning curve from hell" (DVD-Lab) or the "mortgage my house to buy it" (some of the other ones). Not much of a help file with it but since everything is done through wizards, so it really doesn't matter. VERY satisfied with it!
bkthiess wrote on 6/9/2004, 8:32 AM
If encoding quality is important, both MYDVD and Ulead use the Mainconcept encoder, one of the better consumer grade encoders. I have a verions of MyDVD that came with my Sony 530UL burner. It says its the light version, but it has the Dolby Digital (AC3) encoder and makes chapter points. I've never had a problem with it. And you can import the screenblast themes (see previous posts). So upgrading to the deluxe for $40 wouldn't be a bad move. I hear that ULead is a good product too. I'll check out dvdxmaker's website right now.
dand9959 wrote on 6/9/2004, 7:24 PM
I've used DVD Maker many times and have been happy with the results. (I usually don't burn the discs with DVD Maker...I always use Nero for that.)

One thing about DVD Maker that really, really REALLY torques me is this:
If, at any time, you change anything about your chapters points (i.e. move it one frame), or if you want to rearrange your movie segments, or...well, if you want to change anything....then ALL of your menu structures and customizations (backgrounds, images, new buttons, links, EVERYTHING) get wiped out and you have to start all over. AAAAARRRRRGH!!!!

So be very careful and make SURE you've got your movies and their chapter points EXACTLY where you want them before you start working on the menus themselves. Trust me.

Though I've used DVD MAker for quite awhile with very good results; I'm about to try DVD-Lab simply to get away from the above problem.
dand9959 wrote on 6/9/2004, 7:26 PM
Oh, and another caveat re: DVD X Maker:

321 Studios lost their case over their DVD copying software. They've laid off tons of folks (they are down to 30 people from 500 just a couple months ago.) I'd be wary of the long-term support of their software.
uskrums wrote on 6/14/2004, 8:41 PM
I just downloaded the free 30-day trial of TMPGEnc DVD Author and found it easy and very fast. First DVD burn was successful after encoding to MPEG-2 inside MS. First DVD was just a slideshow with background music, but I'm working on the first home movies and will let you know. If it goes this smoothly and good quality, I'll be buying the full version.
djcc wrote on 6/15/2004, 2:08 PM
Is DVD X Maker the software I have seen that claims to be able to reproduce all commercial DVD's?
Mtnsummit wrote on 6/15/2004, 2:20 PM
No, I believe 321 Studios DVD X Copy is the software that will copy commercial movies, or DVD X Copy Express. DVD X Maker I do not believe copies commercial dvd's.
dand9959 wrote on 6/15/2004, 4:05 PM
Correct. DVD X Maker is an authoring tool, just like DVD-Lab, et al.
DVD X Copy is the product that let's you rip copies of DVDs.

Both are from 321 Studios (along with other DVD X - products)