I've been using DVDA because I do pretty simple stuff so I'm living within its limitations for now, but a friend of mine who does much more DVD says that he like Pinnacle DVD Studio. The price is really reasonable, it comes with a ton of content (themes, media, etc.) and it's timeline is better for laying out the video. It also supports the features that DVDA is missing. The one thing he doesn't like it that it pins the UI at 1024x768 regardless of the size screen you have. I bought a copy at the local Fry's store for $49 and got a $50 rebate. I couldn't beat that deal. I've loaded it, but I haven't done a project with it yet.

Tom

Everything depends on how much flexibility/compatibility/ease of use you need, and of course your budget. Ulead's product typically gets good marks, and ReelDVD from Sonic has great compatibility and offers a lot of flexibility for about $600. However, it's not the most user friendly package on the market.

I use DVDA myself and am quite pleased with it for basic stuff. When DVDLab is a little more mature it will rock quite hard.....check it out at www.mediachance.com

I use DVDComplete, and like it pretty well. I haven't tried DVDA, since I am still at VV3. DVDComplete is cheap enough, and has plenty of capability for what I do.

Maybe a too cynical view, but I feel the software industry as a whole has done a HORRIBLE job of offering full featured DVD Authoring applications to date. You have a whole bunch of entry level stuff that lacks features and a few ultra top end applications that cost an arm and a leg with little in the vast middle. Some day, some company may wake up and fill that nitch which could prove to be a goldmine. SoFo... that could be you, but it isn't yet with version one of DVD-A.

I agree totally!!!!

SOFO should jump on this opportunity. DVDA has lots of potential.

Although SOFO is likely working on improving it already, the sooner they get version 2 out, the better, not only for us current users, but the many others out in the world looking for something better than the few applications that all seem to be missing significant pieces to the DVD making process....including DVDA. (boy, isn't THAT a long sentence)

My 2 cents worth.

I don't have time to read thruogh all the responses, but I think DVDA is terrific and especially the latest update (free!) that includes 24p production. Having a Panasonic AG-DVX100 it was wonderful to see full support for this camera in the free update.

There is a FANTASTIC piece of software from a tiny company that not only targets the middle ground as mentioned earlier in this thread, but it also aims at the high end users and the beginners at a price under 100 bucks!!! The app is called DVDLab and it has just recently been released. Also the guy (Oscar) updates his apps VERY frequently and as this matures, this app should solve most of everyone's worries!!! Again,...it's brand spankin new,..so the kinks (as few as there are) are being worked out as we speak. http://www.mediachance.com

Please don't think I'm being argumentative here, but a couple of questions:

1. What's missing in DVDA that would, if present, make it 'complete'?
2. What can DVDLab do that DVDA can't (or can't do as well)?

I'm a big fan of Oscar's too. He really is a tour de force when it comes to AV.

-Pete

Incidentally, someone mentioned DVDA 2.0 Is that known, or just supposition?

Be careful with DVDLab. As has been mentioned in this forum before, read the fine print on the web site and you'll find it doesn't strictly conform to the DVD spec. I would never use this app when authoring for clients.

Looking at what DVDLab does, it has some highlights that i'd love to see in DVDA. This may include Menu transitions and support for DTS.