Need some recommendations on DVD writing software.

[Stockboy99]

Up till now I've dealt strictly with cd-burners and have a pretty good idea about all the different programs out there. However DVD writing is an unknown field to me. Need some recommendations (and opinions) on DVD mastering software. Nero? Pinnacle?

[CMontyBurns]

Up till now I've dealt strictly with cd-burners and have a pretty good idea about all the different programs out there. However DVD writing is an unknown field to me. Need some recommendations (and opinions) on DVD mastering software. Nero? Pinnacle?
NERO seems like one of the best to me so far... but again, I have been doing more CD Burning with it than anything....

[Iggy]

As far as making copies of DVDs (illegal unless you are making a backup copy of a DVD you already own), DVDShrink (http://dvdshrink.org/) is an excellent free program for this. It allows you to change the compression rate, remove unwanted or unneeded feeds such as alternate language, subtitles, special features, etc. Essentially, it lets you put a large DVD movie (over 4.7 GB) and compress it down or remove enough extra info to fit it onto the 4.7GB limit.

You can also convert Divx avi movies or other format that aren't DVD compatible into the compatible format. There are a number of tools to do this but I have had the best luck with TMPGEnc (http://www.tmpgenc.net/). It takes a while to compile the video (about an hour for a full length movie) but the results are amazing. A compressed Divx movie sounds and looks great providing the original avi file was of sufficient quality.

A great resource for all these topics is DVDRHelp (http://www.dvdrhelp.com). The site covers just about every aspect of authoring DVDs and is well maintained. Definitely worth a look.

[ignus]

on a similar note, anyone know how to convert divx movies so that i can burn a video cd? (i dont have a dvd burner :()

[Iggy]

on a similar note, anyone know how to convert divx movies so that i can burn a video cd? (i dont have a dvd burner :()

The dvdrhelp site has a pretty cool search function that lets you pick a conversion type, source format and desired format. This (http://www.dvdrhelp.com/guides.php?tools=&madeby=&formatconversionselect=D ivX+to+VCD&howtoselect=4%3B&orderby=Date&listall=0 &archive=0&search=Search+or+List+Guides) is what you get when you choose Divx to VCD.

[Stockboy99]

on a similar note, anyone know how to convert divx movies so that i can burn a video cd? (i dont have a dvd burner :()

Last time I tried to do that I used tmpenc. Alternatively I did use Nero once to encode the mpeg file for me. I can't remember if I had to uncompress the file using virtualdub or whether Nero used the installed codecs to convert. I'm sure you can find some better methods at
www.doom9.org though.

/me kicks ignus to go start his own thread :D

Back to the original subject. I'm welcoming any and all opinions on DVD writing software. I'm getting a DVD burner for a family member and need to figure out which software is best for them.

[Iggy]

DVD burners usually come packaged with software. The Sony one I got came with Arcsoft ShowBiz and Sonic MyDVD. I'm sure it depends on the hardware manufacturer which (if any) software comes with the burner but you should get something included.

[SauerKraut]

Up till now I've dealt strictly with cd-burners and have a pretty good idea about all the different programs out there. However DVD writing is an unknown field to me. Need some recommendations (and opinions) on DVD mastering software. Nero? Pinnacle?
NERO seems like one of the best to me so far... but again, I have been doing more CD Burning with it than anything....


My esteemed colleague from Canada is right! NERO is the shiz. It's supa fly quick and really easy to edit your list and whatnot. The best I've ever used. And I write to a lot of CD's. At least 15 a day at home, 10 or so at work.

I won't use anything but NERO anymore.

[VSF_Cannon_Fodder]

This is your buddy, www.dvdrhelp.com that site has tons of info... :D