All DVD authoring programs compiant with the specs?

[Ookami]

Hello y'all.

As a DVD-5 newbie I have many questions but this one bugs me most.

My subject should say it all... But I'll try to clarify it even more.

So, we have all these different authoring programs, from DVDit LE (wich I own), MyDVD (wich I also, own) to professional programs like Maestro (wich I don't own). Is there are difference in making 100% compliant DVD discs? I don't want to ask about things like crashes, no support of many features etc. as that's quite obvious.

The best analogy I can think of is SVCD (or DVD whatever) encoding of the various encoders. Even such famous and very good encoders like TMPGEnc had many problems with encoding 100% standard files (VBV value, anyone?), not to mention horrible things like mentioned in the very old Tecold test.

I'm interested in things like non-standard muxing, writing without the audio_ts folder (yesterday I watched my Monty Python an the holy grail, only to notice that it has no such folder) and so on. Basicly anything that isn't ok.

So, if I use my crappy DVDit LE program, can I make 100% compliant discs or am I just making some half-working hacks? Same goes for any other software, but I really don't have the money to buy Maestro or Scenarist for my home and semi-profesionell backups for other people...

Thanks for reading and of course for the answers.

Cheers,

Mijo.

[auenf]

Sonic (Dakin) claims that Scenarist (and derivatives) creates the most compatible DVDs, but DVDMaestro (and derivatives) ive found are just as compatible (depending on the version).

eg, DVDVirtuoso (the bottom of the DVDMaestro based range, SpruceUp is different) 2.5 has a 16:9 bug that is fixed in 2.8.

ReelDVD is the Baby of the Scenarist range, and after playing with it a little, some programs say it create multiple PGC's with multiple chapters in it (IFOEdit), DVD Playing software says that each clip is a chapter (with no chapters for the clips), and the particular standalone i tried says that each clip and the chapters within are all listed in sequence. (i actually got the menu to appear as chapter2 for some reason). all that goes a little against the claim that its the most compatible compiler ;).

but basically, despite all the quirks from various programs, they basically create equally compatible compilations (unless there is a bug in there somewhere).

which software you use will have to be decided by you by features and ease of use (or if you like a challenge, unease of use).

altho relying soley on IFOEdit to author DVDs will probably come under your description of half-working hacks.

Enf...

[Ookami]

Thanks a bunch for your answer. Now, it's quite clear...

I'm greatly disappointed with the authoring software I own, it's a disgrace (my DVD = PCM audio only?; DVDit LE = no chapters?)...

Now, I have to buy another authoring program :rolleyes: , not to mention that, even after searching these forums, I have no idea wich midrange (below 300 EUR) program is recommandable.

Anyway, again, thanks for your great answer it really helped me alot.

All the best,

Mijo.

[orionware]

I really dig ReelDVD. It's very simple to add tracks, add audio tracks, create menus and create button paths.

It's also nice that if you import mp2 or PCM it will encode it to ac3 for you. Very slick.

I've authored around 50 discs with it and I've had no issues or encountered a situation where it wasn't capable.

Orionware

[auenf]

ReelDVD is a quite nice program to use, bit expensive tho, altho DVDVirtuoso is about the same price, but these two are considered pro tools, mainly cause they are direct derivitives (if only i could spell ;)) of Scenarist and DVDMaestro.

for the lower end programs, take a look at Ulead DVDWorkshop, ive heard that its quite good, and yes you can make it not reencode your perfectly fine mpegs you import.

ive got a copy of MyDVD that came with my burner that you can put next to your copy ;)

Enf...

[Ookami]

Thanks for your answers. I must correct my previous statement, I've meant a authoring program below 150 EUR (Even now, I'm "thinking" in DEM), not 300 EUR :scared: .

I've heared from several people that Ulead DVDWorkshop is good, but altought everyone seems to praise it, no one uses it :confused: ?!

I will have to look into the possibilities of the Ulead program, as chaptering, importing, subtitles etc. should be standard anyhow, IMO.
Not to mention that I'll have to find a retail copy somewhere, as I don't own a credit card.

auenf, send your myDVD copy to my adress in Croatia ;) ...

Cheers,

Mijo.

[Richard Iredale]

I used DVD Wise (remarkably powerful, rather crude, with a number of quirks you eventually learn to deal with) to author a half-dozen DVDs. Once the VIDEO_TS folder was created, I then used Nero to burn to disk. We delivered 30 disks to 30 different families (a choir group) and got about 10 back--their machines wouldn't play the disks at all. At first, I just chalked it up to DVD-R incompatibility, but then downloaded the latest version of Nero (5.5.10.7) and noticed in the notes that "previous versions were incompatible with some players...".

New disks burned with the newest version play in EVERY player that rejected the disks before. I don't know what was incompatible with the previous version of Nero, but gather it had something to do with the order of files on the DVD disk. Also, A DVD-R has a different reflectivity than an official pressed DVD disk, so some players might find fault with that.

[auenf]

Originally posted by Ookami
auenf, send your myDVD copy to my adress in Croatia ;) ...

that will be rather difficult cause Sony (in their infinite wisdom) decided to consolodate ALL off the apps for the drive on a single DVD-ROM ;)

i know someone who is using DVDWorkshop, and he thinks its great, altho he didnt like ReelDVD.

Enf...

[Ookami]

@Enf

Doh! Don't even remember that, altough I've installed my Sony software 2-3 weeks ago... Hmm...

Well, I'm on authoring software hunting, right now :) .

@all

Thanks for all your nice answers!

Cheers,

Mijo.