What type of dvd-burner to get & software to use?
 

Now that I have a GL2, I need a dvd-burner to make my own movies. What type do you recommend?

Also, what software should I use to edit?

A Mac. No kidding.

If you own a PC the burner everyone is using is a Pioneer. The
newest one is A05.

If you want a burner that supports the most format (CD-R/-RW,
DVD-R/-RW & DVD+R/+RW) get the new Sony DRU500A.

Editing software is very personal and has nothing todo with
burning. Most people seem to use Vegas Video, Adobe Premier
or AVID DV Xpress. Most have demos available to try out.

Macs have a high price premium. Unless you have one with a DVD burner already installed you might have to pay through the nose. I have a Powerbook G4 667 DVI and am in limbo with the following choices:

1) Buy the new 1 Ghz Powerbook with DVD-R burner ($3000) and sell my old laptop, because Apple does not support external DVD burners (with one exception) for my laptop.

http://store.apple.com/1-800-MY-APPLE/WebObjects/AppleStore.woa/92/wo/Sq4tKRxstSRP2DqO3U42GWoKqoe/0.3.0.3.27.33.0.1.3.1.3.1.1.0?100,60

2) Buy an eMac for $1500 with internal DVD burner included:

http://store.apple.com/1-800-MY-APPLE/WebObjects/AppleStore.woa/92/wo/Sq4tKRxstSRP2DqO3U42GWoKqoe/0.3.0.3.27.25.0.1.3.1.3.1.1.0?100,67

3) Buy a Formac Devideon DVD external burner ($400) and extra Apple DVD burning software for $1000

http://www.formac.com/p_bin/?cid=solutions_drives_devideon

4) Buy one of these set top DVD burners:

http://www.bestpriceaudiovideo.com/products/product.asp?class=164

5) Wait for MCE to come out with an internal burner for my 667 DVI Powerbook:

http://store.powerbook1.com/mcepowg4cdco.html

At least you can see more choices for you in this my dilema. I may just wait for MCE, since it is rumored an internal DVD burner is in the works, and may one day be installed in my 667 DVI Powerbook, which I love. Editing video is a breeze even with Apple's iMovie.

Good luck.

Macs have no inherint advantages. People may prefer the software interface, and that's fine, but if your preference is a PC stay on a PC. You can certainly get a PC that's just as powerful as any Mac if not moreso.

As for burner, DVD+Rs seem, in my experience, to be more compatible on DVD video players than DVD-Rs. You're best off getting something like the Sony DRU500A with support for both.

I edit with Premier and I think it's probably the best editing package for the PC. Final Cut Pro, etc. is probably better but as far as I know it's only on Mac. All the Adobe stuff works on both PC and Mac so that's why I stick with them.

For DVD encoding, I recommend DVD Maestro. I am not sure if it's available anymore but if you can find a copy on ebay or something like that I'd get it. It's very profesisonal and much more user friendly than something like DVDIt or any of the canned packages you get with the burner.

I like my Pionner A04 DVD-RW/-R which does 2X, but this month I believe the A05 ships which can do 4X. I find DVD-R to be just as compatable as DVD+R and the media is cheaper. Pioneer has been doing DVD-R for some time now and while the Sony -R/-RW/+R/+RW read the reviews on it, it has some limitations, especially with DVD-R.

For DVD Authoring on the PC I like Ulead DVD Workshop (not Factory). DVD Workshop is very easy to use and is very stable, it is a first generation product, but has many features. I ditched DVDIt! SE for DVD Workshop.

budy1065

Please read my comments at the end of this post http://www.dvinfo.net/conf/showthrea...&threadid=4810 Your internal DVD burner is in the works.

Jeff

Thanks for the info Jeff.