DVD Authoring Software at DVinfo.net

Tom Christensen · October 11th, 2002, 01:29 PM

I want to build custom animated menus and really give a production quality feel to my DVD's. Right now I have MyDVD (came with DVD burner) which can't go beyond simple menus. For example, have some animation play before the selections appear etc. What's my best choice out there now and aside from video conversion, is this something that can be patched together without using an authoring tool i.e. scripting.

Thanks,

Tom

Rob Lohman · October 14th, 2002, 05:34 AM

I've heard some good things about DVDIt PE www.dvdit.com,
perhaps you can find a demo on their site to try out first. Good
luck!

Edward Troxel · October 14th, 2002, 10:07 AM

DVDit PE won't currently do motion menus. The next version is supposed to have this feature. For motion menus, ReelDVD is required. DVDit PE IS very flexible in its menuing options and is the cheapest authoring program that also encodes AC-3 audio (allows longer videos per DVD at higher bitrates).

If AC-3 audio is not required, several cheaper programs are available that do motion menus.

Keith Luken · October 14th, 2002, 11:43 AM

Ulead DVD Workshop (not DVD Factory) I has some motion menus support. I dumped DVDIt! SE because it was way to picky about the MPEG2 files provided, did not give good contorl for setting chapter points and would often get buggy with a project forciung me to start all over. DVD Workshop is a new product, 1.2 is a free upgrade. It is much easier to use, but does not have all the exact contorls over buttons and button linking/action I would like. But I am able to get more work done quicker than with DVDIt!.
ULEAD has an eval on their website.

Rob Lohman · October 16th, 2002, 12:56 PM

Sonic DVD Producer is another....

Tom Christensen · October 20th, 2002, 04:32 PM

Thanks for all your input. I downloaded a trial of Dazzle's DVD Complete and it does most of what I want for $100. Motion menus and if you get past the templates, you have some freedom.

Bill Ravens · October 20th, 2002, 06:33 PM

Sonic Foundry is about to release(Nov 1) a plug in pack for Sound Forge and Acid 4 (and perhaps for VV3) that will not only allow DVD authoring but ac3 5.1 channel recording. Rumor is that Vegas Video 4 will have 5.1 surround sound incorporated in it.

October 11th, 2002, 01:29 PM	#1
Tom Christensen Regular Crew Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Cave Creek, AZ Posts: 87	DVD Authoring Software I want to build custom animated menus and really give a production quality feel to my DVD's. Right now I have MyDVD (came with DVD burner) which can't go beyond simple menus. For example, have some animation play before the selections appear etc. What's my best choice out there now and aside from video conversion, is this something that can be patched together without using an authoring tool i.e. scripting. Thanks, Tom

October 14th, 2002, 05:34 AM	#2
Rob Lohman RED Code Chef Join Date: Oct 2001 Location: Holland Posts: 12,514	I've heard some good things about DVDIt PE www.dvdit.com, perhaps you can find a demo on their site to try out first. Good luck! __________________ 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

October 16th, 2002, 12:56 PM	#5
Rob Lohman RED Code Chef Join Date: Oct 2001 Location: Holland Posts: 12,514	Sonic DVD Producer is another.... __________________ 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

October 14th, 2002, 10:07 AM	#3
Edward Troxel Sponsor: JET DV Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Southern Illinois Posts: 7,953	DVDit PE won't currently do motion menus. The next version is supposed to have this feature. For motion menus, ReelDVD is required. DVDit PE IS very flexible in its menuing options and is the cheapest authoring program that also encodes AC-3 audio (allows longer videos per DVD at higher bitrates). If AC-3 audio is not required, several cheaper programs are available that do motion menus.

October 14th, 2002, 11:43 AM	#4
Keith Luken Major Player Join Date: Aug 2002 Posts: 200	Ulead DVD Workshop (not DVD Factory) I has some motion menus support. I dumped DVDIt! SE because it was way to picky about the MPEG2 files provided, did not give good contorl for setting chapter points and would often get buggy with a project forciung me to start all over. DVD Workshop is a new product, 1.2 is a free upgrade. It is much easier to use, but does not have all the exact contorls over buttons and button linking/action I would like. But I am able to get more work done quicker than with DVDIt!. ULEAD has an eval on their website.

October 20th, 2002, 04:32 PM	#6
Tom Christensen Regular Crew Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Cave Creek, AZ Posts: 87	Thanks for all your input. I downloaded a trial of Dazzle's DVD Complete and it does most of what I want for $100. Motion menus and if you get past the templates, you have some freedom.

October 20th, 2002, 06:33 PM	#7
Bill Ravens Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: santa fe, nm Posts: 3,264 Images: 10	Sonic Foundry is about to release(Nov 1) a plug in pack for Sound Forge and Acid 4 (and perhaps for VV3) that will not only allow DVD authoring but ac3 5.1 channel recording. Rumor is that Vegas Video 4 will have 5.1 surround sound incorporated in it.