Good DVD Authoring Software Other than DVD Architect at DVinfo.net

Tristan Howard · June 11th, 2007, 09:26 AM

Hi everyone:

I currently use DVD Architect 3.0 on a Sony VGC-RC310G computer and an error message has always prevented me from burning DVDs with Architect. After trying several things, I gave up on that problem. But, I happened to a have a copy of the trial version of InterVideo WinDVD creator lying around, so I installed that and it actually burned a DVD from a file I had on the computer. But, this program is primitive and basic so I was wondering what the names are of some good authoring programs that can do roughly what DVD Architect does but are NOT DVD Architect. I don't have any experience with other professional authoring software programs and it took me awhile just to learn Architect. The project I'm working with is almost an hour long and at the miniumum, I just want an authoring program that will burn with the highest possible bit-rate and will burn additional copies quickly once a file is pre-rendered. Fancy menus would be nice but I'm willing to live without those for the sake of efficiecy and increased resolution. Any input would be appreciated.

Thanks,
Tristan

Tom McDougal · June 11th, 2007, 12:35 PM

Encore is faily simple once you get the basics down. And with the new CS3 collection, Preimere and Encore talk alot more to each other then 1.5 (what i'm using until CS3 products are released)

Mark Williams · June 11th, 2007, 02:04 PM

Try the trial version of DVDLAB PRO. Quick learning curve and many advanced features. I have yet to burn a coaster so far.

Regards,

Harm Millaard · June 11th, 2007, 03:04 PM

I second both suggestions, Encore for the work flow with PP, PS and AE, and DVDLab Pro for the easy but very powerful approach. Both have trial versions so you can try them and then decide. I have used both and each has their own strength's.

Emre Safak · June 11th, 2007, 03:07 PM

If I want to do something DVD Architect can't do, I use DVD-lab PRO. The interface is quirky, so I avoid it when possible.

Tristan Howard · June 12th, 2007, 01:40 PM

Thanks for your suggestions. I'll look into them.

Regards,
Tristan

George Wing · June 13th, 2007, 06:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tristan Howard

The project I'm working with is almost an hour long and at the miniumum, I just want an authoring program that will burn with the highest possible bit-rate and will burn additional copies quickly once a file is pre-rendered. Fancy menus would be nice but I'm willing to live without those for the sake of efficiecy and increased resolution. Any input would be appreciated.

Burning with the highest possible bitrate is not necessarily a function of the Authoring Program. Programs like DVDA, Encore DVD 2, DVD Workshop all have a builtin mpeg encoder. DVDLab PRO does not have a high-quality mpeg encoder -- it is an authoring tool that expects you to know how to prepare your assets externally, and then DLP will then allow you to Author using the prepared assets. Having DVDA3, you can use Vegas 6.x to render your mpegs, and then use those assets in your DVDA Projects.

In terms of burning your initial (and multiple) copies, I would recommend burning an IMAGE file (or DVD Folders) from your Authoring application. You can then use burning tools to burn that Image (or DVD Folders) properly to disc. I use the latest version of IMGBURN to burn my DVD's.

In terms of SD DVD Authoring features and flexibility -- DVDLab PRO will give you the most options, and full control by allowing you to write your own scripts (VM Code). DVDA4 also has some basic scripting (pseudo code really -- not low-level scripting, and it is very basic).

Encore 2.0 has alot of SD DVD Authoring features -- but is missing Buttons Over Video and Multiple Angles (and has an issue with more than ~19 Chapter Playlists).

Encore 3 CS will add Blu-Ray authoring (something DLP and DVDA don't offer). I don't suspect DVDA to ever incorporate HD-DVD Authoring, but maybe some basic Blu-Ray authoring in the future???

I heard the folks at Mediachance were looking into HD DVD Authoring (HD-DVD and/or Blu-Ray). But I wouldn't expect anything until 2008 at the earliest from them.

Ulead offers DVD MovieFactory 6 Plus that has basic HD-DVD Authoring, and direct-to-disc for Blu-Ray authoring (no menus on the BD Discs). Their SD DVD Authoring is NOT as flexible as the other applications listed above -- it's more Wizard/Template driven.

Regards,
George

Tristan Howard · June 15th, 2007, 09:25 PM

Everyone,

Thanks for the input. And, welcome aboard George. I appreciate the information. I downloaded Adobe Encore DVD 1.0 and DVD-Lab Pro 2. I'm not thrilled with Encore and right now I'm trying to figure out the best way to encode my main .avi video file to a format that is compatible with DVD-Lab pro, which seems powerful but discerning.

Regards,
Tristan

George Wing · June 16th, 2007, 04:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tristan Howard

Everyone,

Thanks for the input. And, welcome aboard George. I appreciate the information. I downloaded Adobe Encore DVD 1.0 and DVD-Lab Pro 2. I'm not thrilled with Encore and right now I'm trying to figure out the best way to encode my main .avi video file to a format that is compatible with DVD-Lab pro, which seems powerful but discerning.

Regards,
Tristan

Hi Tristan (thanks for the welcome)

Encore DVD 2.0 probably has more features than version 1.0 (I'm not sure, I only used the TRIAL of version 2.0)

Regarding a format compatible with DVDLab PRO -- it basically takes any dvd-compliant source (can even import the mpegs from previously authored DVD's). Since you have DVD Architect 3, you should also have Vegas -- which can output a dvd-compliant mpeg to feed into DVDLab PRO. I use the DVD NTSC Video Stream (use PAL if that's your format). And also render out a corresponding audio file. Then use these elementary streams in DVD Lab Pro.

Regards,
George

Tristan Howard · June 17th, 2007, 11:34 AM

I appreciate the information and everything but I'm having a hard time with DVD Lab Pro. If it's so great, I don't understand why it can't handle regular .avi files. I'm guessing it's because the pros use video that's prepared and compressed beyond an avi format. I've tried various mpeg renderings in Vegas 6.0 and all of them greatly reduce the picture quality. I also haven't been able to burn mpegs with DVD lab pro, which is a bit over my head. I understand that .avi is compressed at some point when it goes to DVD but I'd prefer software that could easily handle .avi files. So far, I haven't been able to burn in Encore, so I think I'll check out what Ulead Movie Factory and Imgburn can do. I'm glad there are so many trial versions of things.

Regards,
Tristan

Jon McGuffin · June 17th, 2007, 11:43 AM

DVD Architect 4.0 <wink> :)

Robert Bobson · September 8th, 2007, 08:28 AM

I use Dvdit 6 pro and it's somewhat buggy. I've had complex projects that have suddenly refused to load, so I had to start from scratch. and sonic's support is non-existent!

I use premiere pro 2 so I think I'll look into encore cs3- if it supports scripting and buttons over video

June 11th, 2007, 09:26 AM	#1
Tristan Howard Regular Crew Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: McArthur, CA Posts: 119	Good DVD Authoring Software Other than DVD Architect Hi everyone: I currently use DVD Architect 3.0 on a Sony VGC-RC310G computer and an error message has always prevented me from burning DVDs with Architect. After trying several things, I gave up on that problem. But, I happened to a have a copy of the trial version of InterVideo WinDVD creator lying around, so I installed that and it actually burned a DVD from a file I had on the computer. But, this program is primitive and basic so I was wondering what the names are of some good authoring programs that can do roughly what DVD Architect does but are NOT DVD Architect. I don't have any experience with other professional authoring software programs and it took me awhile just to learn Architect. The project I'm working with is almost an hour long and at the miniumum, I just want an authoring program that will burn with the highest possible bit-rate and will burn additional copies quickly once a file is pre-rendered. Fancy menus would be nice but I'm willing to live without those for the sake of efficiecy and increased resolution. Any input would be appreciated. Thanks, Tristan

June 11th, 2007, 02:04 PM	#3
Mark Williams Trustee Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Deep South, U.S. Posts: 1,526	Try the trial version of DVDLAB PRO. Quick learning curve and many advanced features. I have yet to burn a coaster so far. Regards, __________________ Mark videos: http://vimeo.com/channels/3523 Stock: http://www.pond5.com/artist/mark29

June 11th, 2007, 12:35 PM	#2
Tom McDougal Regular Crew Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Port Jefferson, New York Posts: 62	Encore is faily simple once you get the basics down. And with the new CS3 collection, Preimere and Encore talk alot more to each other then 1.5 (what i'm using until CS3 products are released)

June 11th, 2007, 03:04 PM	#4
Harm Millaard Trustee Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Rotterdam, Netherlands Posts: 1,832	I second both suggestions, Encore for the work flow with PP, PS and AE, and DVDLab Pro for the easy but very powerful approach. Both have trial versions so you can try them and then decide. I have used both and each has their own strength's.

June 11th, 2007, 03:07 PM	#5
Emre Safak Trustee Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Brookline, MA Posts: 1,447	If I want to do something DVD Architect can't do, I use DVD-lab PRO. The interface is quirky, so I avoid it when possible.

June 12th, 2007, 01:40 PM	#6
Tristan Howard Regular Crew Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: McArthur, CA Posts: 119	Thanks for your suggestions. I'll look into them. Regards, Tristan

June 15th, 2007, 09:25 PM	#8
Tristan Howard Regular Crew Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: McArthur, CA Posts: 119	Everyone, Thanks for the input. And, welcome aboard George. I appreciate the information. I downloaded Adobe Encore DVD 1.0 and DVD-Lab Pro 2. I'm not thrilled with Encore and right now I'm trying to figure out the best way to encode my main .avi video file to a format that is compatible with DVD-Lab pro, which seems powerful but discerning. Regards, Tristan

June 17th, 2007, 11:34 AM	#10
Tristan Howard Regular Crew Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: McArthur, CA Posts: 119	I appreciate the information and everything but I'm having a hard time with DVD Lab Pro. If it's so great, I don't understand why it can't handle regular .avi files. I'm guessing it's because the pros use video that's prepared and compressed beyond an avi format. I've tried various mpeg renderings in Vegas 6.0 and all of them greatly reduce the picture quality. I also haven't been able to burn mpegs with DVD lab pro, which is a bit over my head. I understand that .avi is compressed at some point when it goes to DVD but I'd prefer software that could easily handle .avi files. So far, I haven't been able to burn in Encore, so I think I'll check out what Ulead Movie Factory and Imgburn can do. I'm glad there are so many trial versions of things. Regards, Tristan

June 17th, 2007, 11:43 AM	#11
Jon McGuffin Major Player Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Carlsbad, CA Posts: 634	DVD Architect 4.0 <wink> :)

September 8th, 2007, 08:28 AM	#12
Robert Bobson Major Player Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Bay City, Michigan Posts: 585	I use Dvdit 6 pro and it's somewhat buggy. I've had complex projects that have suddenly refused to load, so I had to start from scratch. and sonic's support is non-existent! I use premiere pro 2 so I think I'll look into encore cs3- if it supports scripting and buttons over video