OT - MyDVD

Baylo wrote on 10/17/2002, 5:05 PM
Hi all,

I'm looking at the new Sony DRU500 DVD recorder which I believe comes with Sonic's MyDVD. Does anyone know if I can use this combination to author both NTSC and PAL format DVDs? I know I can use Vegas (fantastic program btw - having lots of fun...) to render both formats. I would like to be able to send some DVD+/-Rs to my parents back in the UK.

Thanks,

Mark

Comments

Paul_Holmes wrote on 10/17/2002, 9:03 PM
My version of MyDVD (about a year old) authors both NTSC and PAL. Whether you can convert NTSC to PAL in Vegas, I don't know. Haven't even thought about it. You should check Sonic's web site to find out if their latest versions offer both. I'm sure they do.
PDB wrote on 10/18/2002, 4:28 AM
Just a comment from my experience...I got MyDVD bundled with my firewire card...the programme is simple but re-encodes all vid files and the encoder is nowhere near as good as Mainconcept - the result? a rather disappointing show....

I have since tried the trial version of Ulead Movie factory - 1 month trial with full features and no re-encoding - good prog. Now have moved onto Dazzle dvd complete which has more features and no re-encoding...I finally bought Dazzle which I think is good value for money...

I would suggest you try other programme before you send off to relatives: the re-encoding is a real problem as far as I'm concerned...especially after all the effort one puts in to create a good quality vid...

Hope it was helpful...
Baylo wrote on 10/18/2002, 8:31 AM
Thank you both for your comments. Much appreciated.

Mark
Summersond wrote on 10/18/2002, 8:33 AM
PDB, you can encode to PAL and NTSC DVD format with VV3.
Paul_Holmes wrote on 10/18/2002, 10:21 AM
My copy of DVD bundled with my DVD-R drive allowed me to upgrade to DVDIt SE. Between the two of them I can set chapter points, import my own menus, create a 4X3 or Widescreen DVD, set end actions to any menu or button (example I have three videos in the main menu and I want them to play continuously without having to go back to the menu to play the next), etc. So far I've been real pleased with what I can do, but in the future I will probably upgrade to Ulead's $300 product since it allows motion menus, something I can't incorporate with MyDVD.
jetdv wrote on 10/18/2002, 11:02 AM
If you can upgrade to SE you should also be able to upgrade to PE which gives you a little more control and adds AC-3 encoding allowing you to use higher bitrates. I thought motion menus was added to the current version of MyDVD (or maybe it's a "soon to be released version"). Likewise, these options are slated to be added to the DVDit line as well in the next release due later this year.
Paul_Holmes wrote on 10/18/2002, 10:35 PM
To upgrade to PE costs about $400 (or did in the past). I upgraded to SE for free, which gave me the ability to set end actions. So I thought it was a pretty good bargain, considering I didn't have to pay for either program. I'm pretty sure, though, that Ulead will be my next choice. I've tried the demo and it looks pretty extensive for the price.