Which DVD authoring program? at DVinfo.net

Jeff Troiano · January 3rd, 2005, 02:57 PM

Hello everyone, it has been sometime since I posted. I am looking at buying Vegas 5.0, and am wondering if I should get the + dvd suite version, or is there a better solution for authoring DVD's out there? How about Dolby Digital too? Please give me a few directions to start researching. I am looking at getting the Vegas software the next couple of days (Working on a music video for some friends) and just wanted to know the best route for DVD. I want something that will produce professional looking dvd's, not overly concerened about price, Thanks for the advice.

Jeff

Dan Euritt · January 3rd, 2005, 07:10 PM

vegas is a very cost-effective package, if you don't have any other editing tools already... they include the dolby digital encoder, but then again, so does liquid edition... but that software is a bit buggy.

making music videos sounds like a good reason to get vegas, because it has killer audio capability... the problem with these all-in-one packages is that something is usually lacking, typically, high-end features... with le, the mpeg2 encoder is single-pass only, while vegas includes the two-pass mainconcept encoder, which is pretty nice.

i would download the vegas demo, and look at things like the limitations of the menu creation side of the fence... is it sophisticated enuf for you? the dvdlab people have a nice, cheap menu creation tool that you can demo, and use as a basis for comparison... also check out dvdlab pro for dvd authoring.

i've used reeldvd quite a bit, it's rock-solid for compatibility, but it's kind of long in the tooth these days.

Rob Lohman · January 4th, 2005, 04:58 AM

Keep in mind that the "Dolby Digital", which is really called AC3
(technically), only comes with the complete package, that is:

Vegas + DVD Architect!

DVDA is perfectly fine for creating DVD's, however, your question:

" is there a better solution for authoring DVD's "

Is basically unanswerable. What is better? It solely depends on
your needs and what you find comfortable to work with. So what
do you need in a DVD authoring application?

For example:

- full access to scripting language
- multiple audio languages
- subtitling
- multiple video angles
- hybrid DVD's with ROM content

etc. etc.

Moe Belli · January 16th, 2005, 08:31 PM

I have Vegas but I couldn't get into DVD Architect. I found it overly complicated and it took 12 steps to make an interesting effect where Ulead DVD Workshop only took 2.

Try and see if you like it, if not, give DVD Workshop a try, just import MPEG2 streams iinto it from Vegas. Oh, and DVD Workshop has a very good built in AC3 encoder. YOU NEED AC3, believe me.

MB

Darko Tomic · January 17th, 2005, 02:38 AM

Well I am new to this and wondering what is that interesting effect you are talking about Moe ?
Also, I am interested in animated background, ie which software has this feature.

Moe Belli · January 17th, 2005, 11:20 AM

By interesting effects I mean stuff like motion backgrounds, motion buttons, animated icons/objects, text/type effects and advanced playlists.

I played around with Sony DVD Architect and while it seemed that it could do a lot of this stuff, it didn't do it as easily as DVD Workshop. Although in all fairness, it has a great firewire monitor preview feature and seems more stable than DVD Workshop.

I was trying to find a link at Ulead where they had a video on DVD Workshop which showed off all the great effects it can do, but I couldn't find it for you, so they might have taken it down.

Again, I used most authoring programs including DVD Lab and Encore and DVD Workshop seemed the best of the lot (as long as you can get over it's non-Windows like interface).

I mean for example, you launch DVD Workshop, use one of their excellent motion background templates, drag your video clips into the template, a motion button of the video is automatically generated for you, slap an FBI warning or an opening montage like your company logo in their "first play" icon -- and there you go, you have a damn impressive looking DVD for like five minutes of your time. No way could I could do that, that quickly with Encore or DVD Architect.

Also, one click and you can add auto chapters to your video at specified intervals.

This is just my opinion of course, but I'd really recommend you try a few of these authoring packages and see for yourself.

By the way, I don't encode MPEG2 nor AC3 with my authoring programs, I use Canopus Procoder and the TMPGenc AC3 plugin, so in regards to it's MPEG 2 encoding quality compared to others, I have no idea. I have use it to encode AC3 from a program stream though, and it works very well with that.

MB

January 3rd, 2005, 02:57 PM	#1
Jeff Troiano Major Player Join Date: May 2003 Location: Nashville TN Posts: 480	Which DVD authoring program? Hello everyone, it has been sometime since I posted. I am looking at buying Vegas 5.0, and am wondering if I should get the + dvd suite version, or is there a better solution for authoring DVD's out there? How about Dolby Digital too? Please give me a few directions to start researching. I am looking at getting the Vegas software the next couple of days (Working on a music video for some friends) and just wanted to know the best route for DVD. I want something that will produce professional looking dvd's, not overly concerened about price, Thanks for the advice. Jeff

January 4th, 2005, 04:58 AM	#3
Rob Lohman RED Code Chef Join Date: Oct 2001 Location: Holland Posts: 12,514	Keep in mind that the "Dolby Digital", which is really called AC3 (technically), only comes with the complete package, that is: Vegas + DVD Architect! DVDA is perfectly fine for creating DVD's, however, your question: " is there a better solution for authoring DVD's " Is basically unanswerable. What is better? It solely depends on your needs and what you find comfortable to work with. So what do you need in a DVD authoring application? For example: - full access to scripting language - multiple audio languages - subtitling - multiple video angles - hybrid DVD's with ROM content etc. etc. __________________ Rob Lohman, visuar@iname.com DV Info Wrangler & RED Code Chef Join the DV Challenge \| Lady X Search DVinfo.net for quick answers \| Buy from the best: DVinfo.net sponsors

January 3rd, 2005, 07:10 PM	#2
Dan Euritt Trustee Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Carlsbad CA Posts: 1,132	vegas is a very cost-effective package, if you don't have any other editing tools already... they include the dolby digital encoder, but then again, so does liquid edition... but that software is a bit buggy. making music videos sounds like a good reason to get vegas, because it has killer audio capability... the problem with these all-in-one packages is that something is usually lacking, typically, high-end features... with le, the mpeg2 encoder is single-pass only, while vegas includes the two-pass mainconcept encoder, which is pretty nice. i would download the vegas demo, and look at things like the limitations of the menu creation side of the fence... is it sophisticated enuf for you? the dvdlab people have a nice, cheap menu creation tool that you can demo, and use as a basis for comparison... also check out dvdlab pro for dvd authoring. i've used reeldvd quite a bit, it's rock-solid for compatibility, but it's kind of long in the tooth these days.

January 16th, 2005, 08:31 PM	#4
Moe Belli New Boot Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Toronto Posts: 22	I have Vegas but I couldn't get into DVD Architect. I found it overly complicated and it took 12 steps to make an interesting effect where Ulead DVD Workshop only took 2. Try and see if you like it, if not, give DVD Workshop a try, just import MPEG2 streams iinto it from Vegas. Oh, and DVD Workshop has a very good built in AC3 encoder. YOU NEED AC3, believe me. MB

January 17th, 2005, 02:38 AM	#5
Darko Tomic Regular Crew Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Belgrade, Serbia Posts: 38	Well I am new to this and wondering what is that interesting effect you are talking about Moe ? Also, I am interested in animated background, ie which software has this feature.

January 17th, 2005, 11:20 AM	#6
Moe Belli New Boot Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Toronto Posts: 22	By interesting effects I mean stuff like motion backgrounds, motion buttons, animated icons/objects, text/type effects and advanced playlists. I played around with Sony DVD Architect and while it seemed that it could do a lot of this stuff, it didn't do it as easily as DVD Workshop. Although in all fairness, it has a great firewire monitor preview feature and seems more stable than DVD Workshop. I was trying to find a link at Ulead where they had a video on DVD Workshop which showed off all the great effects it can do, but I couldn't find it for you, so they might have taken it down. Again, I used most authoring programs including DVD Lab and Encore and DVD Workshop seemed the best of the lot (as long as you can get over it's non-Windows like interface). I mean for example, you launch DVD Workshop, use one of their excellent motion background templates, drag your video clips into the template, a motion button of the video is automatically generated for you, slap an FBI warning or an opening montage like your company logo in their "first play" icon -- and there you go, you have a damn impressive looking DVD for like five minutes of your time. No way could I could do that, that quickly with Encore or DVD Architect. Also, one click and you can add auto chapters to your video at specified intervals. This is just my opinion of course, but I'd really recommend you try a few of these authoring packages and see for yourself. By the way, I don't encode MPEG2 nor AC3 with my authoring programs, I use Canopus Procoder and the TMPGenc AC3 plugin, so in regards to it's MPEG 2 encoding quality compared to others, I have no idea. I have use it to encode AC3 from a program stream though, and it works very well with that. MB