Whats a good DVD builder program? at DVinfo.net

Jason Gatti · January 21st, 2005, 05:31 PM

I know everyone has their own favorite. But I'm wondering what would you say is a good inexpensive (not cheap) program that give you a nice looking DVD. I'm talking menu option's etc. I recieved an e-mail about DVDit and I thought it looked promising. But I have used Sonic in the past and did not like their set up. So before I spend a small fortune I'm wondering what everyone here likes. Sell me on your product. Thanks

Gints Klimanis · January 21st, 2005, 06:10 PM

I've tried a few programs, and wow, these programs have come a long way in the last couple of years.

An inexpensive program is DVD Author 1.6, although it doesn't
have a lot of flexibility in the menus. If you want something
that works with AC3 and doesn't rerender MPEG2 files, this
is the fastest tool I've ever used. http://www.pegasys-inc.com/en/product/tda.html

My current favorite is Sony DVD Architect 2, although it it not cheap.

You can buy Pinnacle Studio 9 with video editing and DVD authoring. Overall, it's the nicest integrated package, but it
rerenders imported MPEG2 files and drags when you have more than 15 or so scenes. It does work, and I used that program to produce a lot of DVDs until I made the full switch to Sony Vegas + DVD Architect.

Every program seems to have its strengths, usually simplicity traded for flexibility. In my experience with a limited number of programs, Pinnacle Studio9's storyboard mode makes for the
most efficient DVD authoring if you just want to drag in a bunch of scenes, automatically create a menu, hit Burn to DVD, and return to an ejected DVD. If you want to do all sorts of editing tricks or even basic video signal processing with plugins, use the Sony products.

Trent O Connor · January 25th, 2005, 10:47 AM

From tomorrow i'll be learning this software and placing all of the videos i've made on to dvd using it.
Is there a particualr model of burner I should look for to go with it? Speed, quality etc.

January 21st, 2005, 05:31 PM	#1
Jason Gatti Regular Crew Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Michigan Posts: 48	Whats a good DVD builder program? I know everyone has their own favorite. But I'm wondering what would you say is a good inexpensive (not cheap) program that give you a nice looking DVD. I'm talking menu option's etc. I recieved an e-mail about DVDit and I thought it looked promising. But I have used Sonic in the past and did not like their set up. So before I spend a small fortune I'm wondering what everyone here likes. Sell me on your product. Thanks

January 25th, 2005, 10:47 AM	#3
Trent O Connor Regular Crew Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Hertfordshire, UK Posts: 94	Studio 9 From tomorrow i'll be learning this software and placing all of the videos i've made on to dvd using it. Is there a particualr model of burner I should look for to go with it? Speed, quality etc.

January 21st, 2005, 06:10 PM	#2
Gints Klimanis Inner Circle Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: San Jose, CA Posts: 2,222	I've tried a few programs, and wow, these programs have come a long way in the last couple of years. An inexpensive program is DVD Author 1.6, although it doesn't have a lot of flexibility in the menus. If you want something that works with AC3 and doesn't rerender MPEG2 files, this is the fastest tool I've ever used. http://www.pegasys-inc.com/en/product/tda.html My current favorite is Sony DVD Architect 2, although it it not cheap. You can buy Pinnacle Studio 9 with video editing and DVD authoring. Overall, it's the nicest integrated package, but it rerenders imported MPEG2 files and drags when you have more than 15 or so scenes. It does work, and I used that program to produce a lot of DVDs until I made the full switch to Sony Vegas + DVD Architect. Every program seems to have its strengths, usually simplicity traded for flexibility. In my experience with a limited number of programs, Pinnacle Studio9's storyboard mode makes for the most efficient DVD authoring if you just want to drag in a bunch of scenes, automatically create a menu, hit Burn to DVD, and return to an ejected DVD. If you want to do all sorts of editing tricks or even basic video signal processing with plugins, use the Sony products.