What DVD software is the best?

[Lucy Merchant]

I really like the idea of forums and post a lot elsewhere. But it does get frustrating when people responding assume that because Im asking a question, I must be “confused” or unable to use the software properly.

To be honest, you’d have to be a complete muppet not to understand how to use DVDSP. Its drag and drop and select. Its easy. I trained as a software developer originally and believe me, I can use this piece of kit.

@Michael – thank you for the suggestion of Scenarist. I will take a lot at it in more detail. Cost is not important, its the quality of the product.

Regarding the subtitles – theres nothing wrong with my timecodes. It just drops some for no apparent reason. I have a bolt on to DVDSP for export (some clients want transcripts) but it seems to me that it could have been built in. FCS3 doesnt have an DVDSP upgrade either for some reason either

[Michael Sacci]

You ARE confused, SD DVD menus CANNOT look or function like BluRay menus. It is not within the possibility.

I HAVE given you alternatives. But the software is not the problem.The problem is your understand on what is possible within the DVD spec.

[Lucy Merchant]

OK – Confused means bewildered. I am not confused. I think you mistaken?

Im not looking for a fight – so please take your caps lock off!

I just wanted to know alternatives there are to DVDSP. Im aware that SD cannot function like those menus I just want to make menus look slicker like HD is.

You have provided some things for me to look at and I thanked you for that.

Anyone else?

[Michael Sacci]

The problem is your not will to understand what the program in meant to do, nor the understand of what DVD spec allows.

Once again, there is pretty much nothing that can be done in Scenarist that cannot be done in DVDSP. The difference is cleaner code of Scenarist (if the person authors the title correctly).

Subtitling within any program is a quick fix and is not recommended, You would use a Subtitling program with Scenarist also. The more “professional” an authoring software gets the LESS you will be able to do in it with regards to content creation. If fact I don’t even believe that you can create any Subtitles within Scenarist.

SD DVD is a locked (and dead) format, you will not see much change in any SD DVD program. DVDSP is not going to have any upgrades as far as SD DVD is concern, it is what it is. The only thing I would like is for curtain features to be removed. But since there is a good export program to get your subtitles out I don’t see what the issue is. As far as I know there is no issue with importing subtitles, the only time I have experienced it dropping titles is when the TC of a ST started before prev. ST time’s ended.

[Eric Pautsch]

Lucy

We are really trying to help you understand the issues you are having. You say you want more professional looking menus (like Hollywood discs). Hollywood uses design tools like Illustrator, photoshop, After Effects and any number of 3D animation tools to design menus. They are produce by very talented folks who live and breath DVD everyday and are paid well. You are asking DVDSP to help you design menus like these which it will not.

You won’t be using Scenarist since it will take years to learn. My advice to you, if youre interested in a career in DVD is take a look at these links. Once you understand the DVD spec, then you can move on to using any number of those design tools listed above to work within the strict confines of DVD.

https://www.dvd-replica.com/DVD/

https://www.dvddemystified.com/

The only thing DVDSP will not do is authoring highly specialized titles where a specific feature is needed, like some games for example. DVD authoring is nothing but writing machine code so a spec tool like Scenarist allows you to write this code and not rely on DVDSP abstract code it uses for all titles.

PLEASE READ: ANY HOLLYWOOD DISC YOU’VE SEEN CAN BE DONE, AND LOOK EXACTLY THE SAME, IN DVDSP!!!

Sooooo…lets start all over! 🙂 Please list the issues are you having with DVDSP and we will try and fix them for you.

[Lucy Merchant]

You have to admit that responses given in forums can be quite patronising.

I have Adobe CS3 & 4 – AI, PS, AE etc. I have FCSP2.

Im just looking for alternative software.

Nothing takes me years to learn.

Thanks for all your responses. I will consider them

best wishes

[Eric Pautsch]

Oh please Lucy! Dont be fool

The folks in this forum are experts in they\’re chosen field. We are giving you this advice because we know DVD and the tools very well from years of experience.

Were trying to save you some money while teaching you a little about DVD. You don\’t need a new authoring tool, just a set of patient ears. You\’re discs can look just as good (or better) if you would just tell us the exact issues you have with the title you are working on

I\’ve use Scenarist daily for the past decade and Im still learning little things here and there which make my workflow faster and easier-please don\’t make yourself looking any more foolish by making assumptions about an application you have never used, to another who has used it for several years.

How\’s that for patronization? God…I only wish Cow Leaders had banning permissions.!

[Lucy Merchant]

So Im now confused and a fool. And, Yes, youve succeeded, its very patronising.

Thanks again

[Michael Sacci]

Taking it down a notch…

Lucy the problem is you do not seem to be listening to what we are saying (and I’m not calling you deaf). You keep talking about what options are available to do a curtain thing, and that curtain thing is to make DVD menus that looks as cool and slick as BluRay menu. Well there is no way to do that, it is not is the DVD spec. If you don’t like DVDSP that is one thing, like I’ve said, there are other programs and they work in a different way but they cannot do what you first asked. Buy a just released title that is on BluRay and DVD and you will see that the studio builds 2 totally different menus, why, because DVD cannot handle what BluRay can. It is more than just HD video and audio, the menu spec is totally different, authoring is totally different.

If you have specific things you want to do (within the DVD spec) ask and we will help you out. But please don’t get mad and insulted because you don’t like the answer.

[Lucy Merchant]

I havent got mad or insulted because I dont like the answer.

what I dont like is name calling.

I think this is something like the 3rd or 4th time Ive said it now – but thanks for your time.

I think I have enough info now

Best wishes