software for authoring educational DVDs

[Pierre-luc Pare]

Depends on which platform you want it to play: PC/Mac, DVD player ? I heard Direcotr has some features to create DVDs, but I don’t know much more. There are several auhtoring tools out there: DVD Studio Pro, Adobe Encore, DVDlab Pro, Ulead Movie Factory, etc.

[Darshan Maharana]

sorry for insufficient info.

I am looking for tools on windows platform. I am aware of DVD
authoring tools as I use Sony Vegas/DVDArchitect. What I am
looking for is a software which will help me create interactive
content for education/training purpose which can be later burned
to DVD for distribution.

best regards
-Darshan

[Odetoacow]

If you are creating a custom application, Visual Basic may be your best bet. DHTML, Flash, Director also provide good methods.

[Eric Pautsch]

What do mean by interactive? Do you need a disc to play on a computer or a set top player? Or both? title authored in Director will give you a DVD-ROM which will not play back in a set top player. But will give you functional interactivity

[Darshan Maharana]

>title authored in Director will give you a DVD-ROM which will not
> play back in a set top player.

Good point.

I can come up with two versions of the title : interactive and
non-interactive and let the customer make a choice.

For non-interactive option: most of the training DVDs I have seen have images, video
capture while application is running, voice over, video footage of instructor etc. I
would like to create and add 2D & 3D animation in addition to all of these. Do I have
to create separate clips of all these and “assemble” in non-linear editor and burn DVD
or there are other better workflows and tools ?

For interactive option: I believe the interactivity is achieved through flash/shockwave
format. What tools are recommended ?

best regards,
-Darshan