So to create DVDs, I'll need:

1) a burner

2) encoding software

3) authoring software

4) burner software

Questions-

will any burner and burner software be able to handle a complicated DVD creation, like multilple menus and extras?

I've heard that "TMPGenc Plus" is a good encoder and "DVDit" is a good authoring program. What's a good "burner" software? or more to the point, are there any to avoid?

Do you encode BEFORE you author, or visa versa?

Thanks for helping me understand.

Bob

For burning, it will be hard to find any better than Nero. Very reliable and full featured.

will any burner and burner software be able to handle a complicated DVD creation, like multilple menus and extras?

That's not a problem. The burning software just records to disk whatever file(s) the authoring software makes. Usually it's an .img file. Note that you might not need to get burning software, as some (if not all) low to midrange authoring software can burn disks themselves.

Do you encode BEFORE you author, or visa versa?

I encode to MPEG-2 from within my editing program. It's just easier and saves the time of exporting to an avi and then encoding. Others do it differently. It's basically your preference.

so "encoding" simply means converting to mpeg-2?

Can I use my Premiere software to save my project as mpeg-2, and then go directly into an authoring program?

Is the quality of "encoding" this way as good as using a high end encoder?

do you know if DVDit allows you to "burn" a DVD without using a program like Nero?

And what about higher end, multi channel audio - A3, I think it's called. would I need a special program to do that?


thanks again!

Premiere is ok at encoding, but for really high quality, you'll want to spend some money on a pro encoder, like Canopus or similar product. Not to mention, they'll encode faster than Premiere alone can.

so "encoding" simply means converting to mpeg-2?
Yes.
Can I use my Premiere software to save my project as mpeg-2, and then go directly into an authoring program?
Is the quality of "encoding" this way as good as using a high end encoder?
Yes, again. The quality depends on the encoder. From what I understand the quality of the MainConcept encoder included in Premiere Pro is pretty good. I'm not sure you'd get much better using a program like Canopus ProCoder. When Premiere Pro encodes it actually bypasses it's own rendered preview files and goes back to the source files for maximum quality.
do you know if DVDit allows you to "burn" a DVD without using a program like Nero?
According to the features list (http://www.sonic.com/products/dvdit/features.asp) it can.
And what about higher end, multi channel audio - A3, I think it's called. would I need a special program to do that?
First of all, your editing program would need to support mixing surround sound 5.1 audio. Premiere Pro does. Secondly, you need a Dolby Digital 5.1 encoder. Premiere Pro includes one from a third party company, but you only get three or five free encodes, and then you have to shell out $300 to get unlimited encodes.

I believe DVDit can encode to stereo Dolby Digital, which is all most people need, anyway, and gives you more space for video.