Is any authoring program as simple as TMPGEnc DVD Author, but allows multi-tracks?

[Carlos Garcia]

I have tried several DVD authoring programs, but they all seem so complicated. So far the only program easy enough for me to understand is TMPGEnc DVD Author. However, this great program only allows you to author 1 audio track. Does anyone know of any DVD authoring program that is as easy to use as TMPGEnc DVD Author, but that allows you to author more than just 1 track? Any info would be appreciated. Thanks.

[eb]

Originally posted by Carlos Garcia
Does anyone know of any DVD authoring program that is as easy to use as TMPGEnc DVD Author, but that allows you to author more than just 1 track? Any info would be appreciated.
Yes , there is such program, more friendly and less complicated for the user but with greater power and possibilities.

It is called ReJig.

eb

[2COOL]

@Carlos Garcia

Originally posted by eb
It is called ReJig.ReJig will work but you'll get a movie-only backup without menus though. :(

[eb]

2COOL wrote:
ReJig will work but you'll get a movie-only backup without menus though.
It is half-truth, take a look at SCENE CHANGES/CHAPTER POSITIONS.
In this window you can put at least frame numbers that can be used latter as the points/chapters? with comand GO TO ...
Maybe there can be used more complicated comands, but this should be cleared up by NIC.
To be honest I don't like typical MENUS , but such hidden chapters I can accept.
Greetings

eb
Edited: I forget about most valuable :
. ReJig is accepting any numbers of audio streams /any kind/
and any number of subtitles

[2COOL]

Originally posted by eb
ReJig is accepting any numbers of audio streams /any kind/
and any number of subtitles In regards to DVD specifications, the maximum number of audio streams is 8 and the maximum for subpictures(subtitles) is 32.

[eb]

@ 2COOL
Originally posted by 2COOL
In regards to DVD specifications, the maximum number of audio streams is 8 and the maximum for subpictures(subtitles) is 32.

Thank you for this specification. I am quoting your words once more in order to permamently burn them not only to my memory.
BTW Useful sample for such tests with 7 audio tracks named e7.TS can be find on my web:
ftp://www.eb.enterpol.pl
user: www.eb.enterpol.pl
password : eb
eb
In regards to DVD specifications, the maximum number of audio streams is 8 and the maximum for subpictures(subtitles) is 32.

[Carlos Garcia]

Thanks for all your replies. I guess it only confirms just how great a program TMPGEnc DVD Author is, and how it could probably be the best authoring program (at least for my needs) if only it allowed us to author multi-tracks. I like menus, and this program makes it so easy, not only to create menus, but to create animated menus. Menus are important to me because when watching a program that has many episodes, seeing clips of the episodes can tell me which I want to see. Sometimes a title alone isn't enough. I really don't understand the complexities of authoring programs, so I can't really understand why this program doesn't allow for more than just 1 audio track to be authored. I mean, if a much easier program like DVD Shrink allows you to author all the tracks you want, why can't this program do it? It's not like I want to create a separate menu option to switch on and off the other tracks, all I want is the option of when playing the program, to be able to use the audio button on my DVD player to toggle through each existing soundtrack. Oh well, I just hope they are working on this feature on future upgrades of TMPGEnc DVD Author, because I would buy it in an instant when multi-tracks become available.

[Arky]

Admittedly, they're not as simple as TMPG DVD Author, but have you tried using Spruce DVD Maestro or Apple DVD Studio Pro?

Because of their advanced abstraction layers, these are unquestionably the simplest programs you will find that will let you access 90% of the DVD spec.

You might surprise yourself at what you can achieve if you take a couple of days to familiaries yourself with the workflow. They are extremely intuitive.

...I also draw your attention to the quote in my signature, below! ;)


Arky ;o)

[Carlos Garcia]

Thanks Arky. I tried DVD Maestro, but being a novice, I got very confused by it. I guess I'm just too old to learn the basics. DVD Author simply lets me import existing VOBs into my project, but Maestro doesn't. It seems alot more time consuming to have to convert every single VOB file to m2v and ac3 in order for DVD Maestro to work on it. That's a big reason I like DVD Author so much, it takes VOBs with no problem. Anyway, I think the whole authoring thing seems way over my simple head, so I think I'm going to stick to life without menus, at least for now, or at least until DVD Author creates a new version that imports multi-tracks. I mean with a program like DVD Shrink or DVD2one at least you can finish with a project in less than an hour. DVD authoring seems to be a very time consuming thing and at my age, I don't think it's worth the effort. Thanks anyway!

Carlos.

[BruceL]

Keep an eye out for DVD Lab Pro. It's at public beta with an anticipated release this month or next. It is expected to support 8 tracks. I currently use the regular version which supports 1 track. If I ever needed more tracks, I would definitely consider the Pro version when released. The web address is as follows:

http://dvdlab.net/dvdlab/dvdlabpro.html

Hope this helps. Enjoy!

PS Most of Doom9's guide for the regular edition is probably going to be applicable to the Pro version. A must read guide, very well done!