dvd authoring software

[VJ]

Hello,

What do you guys use for authoring a DVD (making menus, ...)?

A friend of mine made a DVD on a Mac, and it looked stunning (moving thumbnails, moving background, looped music, ...).

Are there any good free tools for PC to do this kind of thing?
(I have Pinnacle, but this version is limited to 1 menu; I tried Ulead (trial), but am missing some features)

Thanks!


Jörg

[Dr Mordrid]

Free DVD tools are few and far between and usually worth the price

What Ulead product did you try; DVD MovieFactory or DVD WorkShop?

In terms of low cost options with lots of features there is DVD Lab;

http://www.mediachance.com/dvdlab/

Dr. Mordrid

[VJ]

Well, I guess free DVD software was worth a shot... (I mean, virtualdub does a great job!)

I tried Ulead DVD MovieFactory...
I just couldn't reposition the thumbnails (apart from the given layouts), didn't find options to make moving thumbnails, ...


Jörg

[Debbie]

Ulear DVD Workshop produces all the features mentioned BUT it's not free !! However I'm really fond of it.

Debbie

[Dr Mordrid]

Me too

Dr. Mordrid

[paulw]

I tried Ulead DVD MovieFactory...
I just couldn't reposition the thumbnails (apart from the given layouts), didn't find options to make moving thumbnails, ...
Jörg

I thought you could do this in MF4??

[Brian Ellis]

I've used MF3 happily for some very simple projects, but I use mostly WS2 which will do more than any other authorer I've tried.

[Jerry Jones]

For DVD MovieFactory users, there's a workaround.

To move thumbnails, you can use Ulead PhotoImpact.

I wrote a tutorial about it:

http://www.jonesgroup.net/media/photoimpactxldvdstepone.htm

Ulead has released a tool:

http://www.ulead.com/pi/plugin.htm

Jerry Jones

http://www.jonesgroup.net

[Adis]

Nero Vision Express - very fast encoding, easy to use, quick menus setup,...

Sony DVD Architect - more options...

[landrover]

I use Nero Vision Express and Magix Video deLuxe's built-in authoring tool. Must say that (on my system) Vision Express is far from stable.

Generally speaking: the higher the price, the more flexible the app.