Anyone using Sonic's ReelDvd to author dvds? How is it? Does it put out 5.1 audio? Most importantly, what did you use to edit your production?

Hi Dale,

I use Reel DVD 3.0.3 LE with Premiere 6.5 to create motion menus and create MPEG files (however any editing app that is capable of producing DVD compliant MPEG 2 files will be fine).

I have not used 5.1, however it is capable of importing AC3 5.1 surround files I believe.

I like the layout and the way that you can see where each asset is navigated to.

You will also need Photoshop in order to create decent menus.

Cheers,

Ed

Ps
This might be better suited to the DVD/ web forum.

Hi Dale.

That's what I use and I am VERY happy with it.

ReelDVD will not encode your audio files into 5.1 Dolby Digital, but will encode them in Stereo Dolby Digital. Are you shure you want 5.1 Dolby Digital? In order to have that, you need 6 separate audio files and an AC3 encoder outside ReelDVD.
If Stereo Dolby Digital is enough for you, ReelDVD is the best you can get. Its rock solid stable and will build your DVD the same way as Scenarist (the Rolls-Royce of DVD Authoring), meaning, your DVD will be more compatible with players.

As said by ED, you'll need Photoshop to do the menus.

A word of advice: The first time you try to use ReelDVD, you will curse a 100 times, for not understanding how the darn thing works. Be patient, once you get the hang of it, you'll not want anything else.

Good luck and best regards,
Arnaldo

Arnolds right about cursing it 100 times for not understanding how it works!!! But as soon as you realise, it all makes sense and is much easier to use.

I spent a whole day trying to figure out how to do motion menus, after reading the manual a number of times, pulling my hair out, and playing about with it I finally managed to figure it out.

Cheers,

Ed