HD-DVD authoring software?

[Inventive Software]

I've searched, but can't find anything helpful. The focus seems very much to be Blu-Ray software and getting that working. Is there free HD-DVD authoring software, with the possibility of adding some basic menus, actually out there?

[DieHard]

Since HD DVD is now officially dead and unsupported the only stuff you will find is the stuff already released. Microsoft has a free iHD tool I believe and you can also use normal text editors/etc to create that content. As far as the full layout package, Scenarist (SCA and ACA) is obviously the best bet and most featured but no where close to free. I think there are a few other commercial programs out there for authoring, most of those do both Blu-Ray and HD DVD. As far as free goes though, I'm not sure. Perhaps any software that comes with an HD DVD burner is your best bet to start out with.

Nothing new will appear for HD DVD now however so unless you already have one of those rare and elusive HD DVD burners (at least in North America) it won't be worth wasting your time to learn it. It may still be the better format at the moment overall, but it's life was sadly ended far too soon. :-/

[Inventive Software]

Thanks. It's not actually concerning me, but my Grandad, who's not computer literate, went for an HD-DVD player about a month before Warner started the chain reaction. Let's just say he's not best pleased.

I was wondering how feasible it is to convert Blu-Ray discs to a DVD-9, whilst still retaining menu structure, without spending £300 on *ANOTHER* player.

[setarip_old]

Hi!but my Grandad, who's not computer literate, went for an HD-DVD player about a month before Warner started the chain reaction. Let's just say he's not best pleased.If the HD-DVD player he purchased is a Toshiba, he should be thrilled at the unbelievably excellent upconversion of his standard DVDs to 1080i - as well as the appearance of any HD-DVDs he already possesses. Additionally, you should be a good grandchild and shop around for HD-DVD firesales ;.}

[Inventive Software]

@setarip: I am a good grandchild thank you, as it was me that persuaded him not to plump for one until there's a winner. So it's his own damn fault for going for a "dead" format.

I have one question about the PS3 though. If you were to exchange the HD-DVD player (which upscales brilliantly BTW, I've seen the picture! :eek:) for a Blu-Ray player like the PS3, can you connect an Xbox360 HD-DVD add-on and play HD-DVDs on it, or is that a strict no-no on Sony's part?

[DieHard]

I haven't tried connecting the Microsoft HD DVD player to the PS3 but chances are it won't work since it needs the correct drivers/etc which I'm pretty sure Sony won't be too quick to add to the PS3. That being said, if you ran a version of Linux on the PS3 it might actually be possible since that way you might be able to load the drivers in. I know you can get the Microsoft HD DVD player to work on the computer so it is somewhat feasible.