What's the best DVD authoring software?

[Trevelyan]

Ok, I have about 5 video files that I want to put on a DVD-R.

Here's what I would like the software to have:

1) Ability to burn to a DVD-R with my DVD-R burner
2) Ability to make a nice DVD menu with sections
3) Chapters, etc.
4) Ability to make a nice cover for a DVD (optional)

What program would do this for me?

 

[krazykilroy]

At first I Bought USB instant DVD, which gave me the capability to take video from a DVD/VCR player and burn it onto a DVD. it created chapters as well as gave me a little freedom to work on the effects. But the quality suffered a tad. the programs involved were Sonic's My DVD, and Ulead's Video Studio DVD

Then I bought DVD X Copy, which burned exact copies onto a DVD-R. Because most commercial DVD movies come on a double-layered disc, when you burn, you'll normally use two discs for one movie. but they break the movie up between chapters, and you get GREAT quality.

 

[Antisocial Virge]

Then I bought DVD X Copy, which burned exact copies onto a DVD-R. Because most commercial DVD movies come on a double-layered disc, when you burn, you'll normally use two discs for one movie. but they break the movie up between chapters, and you get GREAT quality.

That does not do anything that he asked about.

DVD Maestro is a program I tried before and it seems very advanced. The menu options are pretty neat and didn't take to long to figure them out. The only problem is that I think they were bought out by another company. There are lots of smaller more simple programs out there that are fairly resonable in price.

 

[Trevelyan]

Ok thanks...

Is that Ulead program any good?

 

[krazykilroy]

It's ok.

Nothing to sing about.

 

[IamDavid]

Movie Factory 2 kicks everything else's butt! It is way more stable then everything else I have used which is just about every other title out. Nothing is more annoying then having the stupid program crash on you over and over which every Pinnacle and Sonic program does. Check out the support forums for the 2 if ya don't believe me. Just about everyone has problems with them no matter what type of machine.
With Movie Factory I have captured, edited, authored and burned well over 100 titles for myself and my family. Weddings, graduations, plays and so on.. The learning curve is low so no matter what your experience you'll be able to jump right in...

BTW: Don't bother getting the whole Ulead package, not sure what its called but its useless. Just get the MF2.

 

[fishingeek]

Check out DVDLab, it hasn't been released yet but I can get you the link to the beta demo if interested. I have MovieFactory2 and it is good, but DVDLab can do so much more and you have alot more control over menus, AC3 sound and motion menus.

Fishingeek