home avi's to a dvd

[50ring]

Hello. I'm new here and probably asking a question asked before. I've use the search function and cannot seem to find an answer. Maybe I'm not searching on the correct terms. Can you help me out or point me in the right direction. Thanks.

What I'm attempting:
I have several short home avi files from my camera. I can convert these individually to a dvd format but I end up with each individual avi file creating an individual dvd. I want to put all my avi's onto a single dvd. I cannot figure out how to create a single VIDEO_TS.IFO and BUP file to navigate all the individual IFO/BUP files as if they were chapters on the DVD.

What I'm using:
I am using Cucusoft AVI to VCD DVD MPEG Converter Pro to convert to mpeg and IfoEdit to convert mpeg to a DVD format. I have tried to reauthor using DVD Shrink without any luck.

Is there a simple solution? I'm not sure I'm up to manually editing/creating a VIDEO_TS.IFO.

[theReal]

A simple solution would be Adobe Encore DVD (costs a few bucks, though). You wouldn't even have to convert to MPEG2 with a seperate encoder, the built-in Mainconcept MPEG2 encoder is quite good IMO.

[50ring]

Free is good, but I'm more than willing to buy something. Adobe Encore DVD sells for $300-500 depending on where you're shopping. That might be a little more than I'm willing to spend for a few home vids. Thanks for the answer though.

[r6d2]

You may want to take a look for TMPGEnc DVD Author at http://www.pegasys-inc.com/ It sells for US$89 and is a great authoring tool. It can create nice and easy menus and all.

[50ring]

Thanks. It looks like TMPGEnc DVD Author may just be the answer I was looking for. I'll still need to make a separate avi2mpeg conversion, but that's not too tough. Thanks for the help. I'll try the thirty-day trial and see if it gives me what I need.

[bb]

There are a few good-quality MPEG-2 encoders sold at a low price. I'd like to recommend:
- MainConcept MPEG Encoder (fast, many options, good GUI)
- CCE Basic (fast)
- TMPGEnc (slower, free 30-day trial)

For authoring I use DVDlab, which I can recommend as well ($99,-).

bb

[50ring]

Thanks so much for the help. There are now more options than I imagined. Besides TMPGEnc I am going to take a good look at DVD-lab along with CCE Basic. They will both provide what I need and even more.

I think MainConcept MPEG Encoder is a good answer too but a little more money ($150US) than I wanted to spend for my limited requirements. I presently have only a small amount of work and need.

Something I found very interesting were the many digital camera tools available from the Media Chance site. Thanks again.