DVDArc trial ended/any free DVD software chapters?

bill-kranz wrote on 1/19/2009, 7:41 AM
Hi all:

This is a bit off topic so please excuse me if I get in trouble. If so, I will try to delete my posting.

My trial period for DVD Architect 5.0 ran out. I am aware of many DVD replicating software
that is freeware such as DeepBurner, IMGBURN, AVS Disc Creator and INFRA Recorder. etc.
but none of these seem to add chapter markers for on-screen navigation of the DVD's contents.

That is the main feature I need. Can anyone point me to freeware that would have this capability for a PC?

In the meantime I will try to scrape together the money needed for the Sony version but funds are tight and my project has a burning need for release to my friends.

Hope you can help.

Thanks,
Bill

Comments

bStro wrote on 1/19/2009, 7:57 AM
Those programs (to the best of my knowledge) are all DVD burning applications. What you are looking for is a DVD authoring application.

An authoring app takes all your files -- video, audio, pictures, etc -- and compiles them into the proper format and structure to be recognized by a DVD player. They don't just add "chapters" and "navigation," but a relatively complex assortment of instructions on the player should interact with all components. A DVD burning app just takes whatever you give it and copies it to a disc.

As a result, you're not going to find much in the way of DVD authoring apps for free. The only one that comes to mind (for Windows) is one called DVDAuthor. From what I understand, it's a command line based program, but there are several front ends for it, the most popular being GUI for DVDAuthor. I have used it very briefly, but didn't have time to really explore it. From what I understand, it's very poweful but has a rather steep learning curve.

That said, you could also consider going with Vegas Movie Studio (which includes DVD Architect Studio) instead of Vegas Pro and DVD Architect Pro. They might meet your needs and cost much less.

Rob
bill-kranz wrote on 1/19/2009, 8:51 AM
Rob:

Hello and thanks for that quick reply.

I will look into the DVDAuthor software and see what it is like. So thanks there also.

The Sony DVD Architect Pro is only $39.00 as a DL so that's not much really. I'm happy with my Vegas Pro for now so will probably not get the Vegas Movie Studio version.

I do have Pinnacle Pro 10. 5 but it's on a different older machine and I am not very fond of it. I can't remember if it authors DVD's.

All in all your post was great and I do thank you.

Bill
John_Cline wrote on 1/19/2009, 1:16 PM
"Sony DVD Architect Pro is only $39.00"

I'm sure you didn't mean $39, that would be the illegally pirated version price.
bill-kranz wrote on 1/19/2009, 2:24 PM
John:

Hi. I found the $39.95 info from the Sony site URL as listed below.
I did not see a listing for the Pro version per se perhaps that is sold at
other retailers as a different item?? I could find nothing on a separate item
that is a higher cost as the DVD Architect 5.0 upgrade is free to registered users
of 4.5 version.

If I am wrong just let me know.

http://www.sonycreativesoftware.com/buy/software


DVD Architect Studio 4.5
Professional-Looking DVDs Made Easy
From US$39.95

Thanks,
Bill
Chienworks wrote on 1/19/2009, 5:30 PM
That's the "Studio" version, not the "Pro" version.
bStro wrote on 1/19/2009, 7:54 PM
I did not see a listing for the Pro version per se perhaps that is sold at

DVD Architect Pro is not sold by itself at all -- not through Sony, not through retailers. It's only available with Vegas Pro.

Rob
bill-kranz wrote on 1/20/2009, 1:01 AM
Rob:

Yes I bought a version of Sony Vegas Pro but the DVDArc was only a trial version, V5.0.
After the trial expires I can see no other recourse than to purchase the 4.5 version for the $39.95 then do the free upgrade back up to 5.0.

It's a good deal for the most part but I think it should be for free.

Thx,
Bill

TOG62 wrote on 1/20/2009, 2:14 AM
I never heard of Vegas being sold with a trial version of DVDA. If you bought and paid for Vegas Pro you should have also got the full version of DVDA.

then do the free upgrade back up to 5.0
There is no version 5 of DVDA Studio.

Of course if you have Windows Vista you already have a means of authoring DVDs.

Mike
bill-kranz wrote on 1/20/2009, 8:54 AM
Mike:

Hi. I have checked my programs off the Start/Programs menu on my XP OS but there is nothing there relating to DVD Arch 4.5...
However I will check under the Vegas Pro progam itself maybe there's something I missed. I just know when I tried to author a DVD it said my trial program (5.0) expired.

Is the DVD Arch sent on a seperate DVD aside from the main install disc? If so, that may be the problem. I got just one install disc along with the serial number via a private purchase. Maybe they kept the DVD Architect cd.

I don't want to buy into the Studio versions just to get the authoring capability.

So, I will perform a deeper search of my programs and see what I may have missed.

Thanks All!!

Bill
bStro wrote on 1/20/2009, 10:09 AM
Where did you buy Vegas Pro? If you bought it from Sony, then your purchase includes DVD Architect Pro. It is a separate program that must be installed separately, but the installation files are on the same disc as those for Vegas. That said, if you already have the trial version installed, all you have to do is register it using the serial number that you received. Wherever you got your Vegas serial number (e-mail, in the package you received, whatever), that's where you'll also find your serial number for DVD Architect Pro.

When I put my Vegas install disc (which I bought directly from Sony) in a drive, it gives me a menu with several options -- including one for installing Vegas and one for installing DVD Architect. Do you get a similar menu? Is DVD Architect listed?

On the other hand, if you bought Vegas Pro from a third party retailer, some are selling a standalone version of Vegas Pro for less money than the Vegas + DVD combo. (I can say that if you paid less than $300, your purchase almost certainly does not include DVD Architect.)

Rob
bill-kranz wrote on 1/21/2009, 8:39 AM
Rob:

Hello. Yes I did pay less than $300.00 for it and have searched all through
my system's programs and can find no link for DVDArc 4.5.

I suppose I can put the install disc back in and double check that but that is where the trial version 5.0 came from I beleive. I am at work now and did not
have time last night to check that out as you suggested.

Thanks however,
Bill