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View Full Version : Need help finding DVD authoring software that meets my very specific needs...


Deathbliss
28th December 2006, 11:55
I apologize if I put anyone on the defensive with what I'm about to say.

I've spent the last few days reading posts, DVD authoring software suggestions, tracking errors, un-installing/re-installing codecs, and I'm sick of it. Here's what I want to do:

I have some .avi files which I want to add to a DVD. They have AC3 5.1 sound encoding, and Xvid for video encoding. They are as I understand it a non-standard size - 960x528. That right that should wipe out about 3/4 of any of the DVD authoring programs you would normally recommend.

I am running Windows XP with 1 gig of RAM, an AMD processor running around 3200 GHz, and a high-end Asus ATI based video card. I have installed and use the K-Lite Mega Codec Pack - latest version 281 full. So having encoding/decoding codecs IS NOT MY ISSUE! I verified that I have the codecs installed using GSpot on my videos. Moving on...

So far I have tried Adobe Encore - it won't load the .avi files so it's garbage. I tried DVD Lab Pro - same story so it too is garbage. I tried the highly recommended Sonic Scenarist - garbage. I don't think they could make that peice of trash any harder to use if they tried, and it too won't load my .avi files. You would think that something which costs roughly the same amount as a used BMW would have a LITTLE bit of quality, but no - it even looks like crap. I also tried Nero Showtime - no menu creation options so garbage. Until I started using these I was using VSO ConvertXToDVD. That program is easy to use, fast, and never has an issue, but you can't customize the menus and it cuts off screen area which you can't adjust so for my purposes it is also garbage. But for a n00b that needs something simple and doesn't care about menu customization or loosing some picture on the sides I HIGHLY recommend it. Those guys know how to make software! On the same positive note I tried Ulead DVD Workshop 2. That program is perfect! You can import any video file, customize menus, and control the size of the picture. But it takes HOURS and HOURS to do burn a disc, and for me it froze at the same spot on the same file multiple times, so I chucked it - garbage. The last thing I just tried was DVDit 6 pro. It looks promising but it won't import my .avi files. Stupidly says codecs aren't installed when they obviously are. Can't find any info on how to fix this, so I just threw it out too. So here's what I hope you can help me with...

I'm looking for something with the features of Ulead DVD Workshop 2 and which runs as stable and quickly as VSO ConvertXToDVD. I know it's out there, just give me a name so I can get the demo and try it out.

Thanks!
- Deathbliss

Guest
28th December 2006, 14:47
Why did you make non-standard size AVIs?

check
28th December 2006, 14:52
What decoder are you using? From what I recall even the basic klite includes about three decodesr for xvid files...

edit: just counted. the mega pack includes four (if you count the ffdshow vfw decoder as seperate from ffdshow)

Deathbliss
28th December 2006, 16:02
I didn't make the .avi files - that's how they came. And I don't understand the decoder question.

Add NTI CD & DVD to the list - WAY too basic - no video import and no menu design - utter trash. Also add Ulead Movie Factory 5 - it forces you to use templates and you can't remove template pictures.
- Deathbliss

Guest
28th December 2006, 19:17
Are we talking about downloaded movies?

check
28th December 2006, 22:38
well, do the files play correctly in a media player? If so, just create an avs script that will crop & resize appropriately, encode to a lossless format and import those into your program of choice. Chances are you have simply failed to enable a vfw decoder for the video, which is what is really required.
Really, I don't see why importing your AVIs will give any different results from 'standard' AVIs, whatever they are.

Deathbliss
29th December 2006, 02:25
Videos play fine in Media Player Classic and even Nero Showtime (if I recall correctly). Downloaded TV shows.
- Deathbliss

P.S. Trying TMPGenc DVD Author, but not holding my breath...

Guest
29th December 2006, 02:43
Downloaded TV shows. That violates forum rule 6. Thread closed. Due to your low post count, no strike issued, but please read and follow forum rules:

http://forum.doom9.org/forum-rules.htm

You may also get better responses to your legitimate questions if you don't go around calling all software garbage and trash.