DVD-Software.info

[The Empowerment Group]

Must admit I'm a bit overwhelmed by the vary array of choices, formats and
technologies relative to dvd authoring, so I figured I would try to slash
the learning curve some by asking for your experience/input.

I'm looking for the best software suggestions for the following needs:

I want to be able to create worship dvd's for our church. By this I mean, I
want to rip audio tracks from regular audio cd's; and author them with
graphic backgrounds (static initially but we would like to eventually
include motion (time-lapsed nature, etc), and changing lyrics on another
layer of the same creation.

Additionally, we own a set of existing worship dvd's (with the files
seemingly in a mpeg1 format). These play fine through presentation software
such as powerpoint but I also want to be able to rip these and create
specific custom worship set dvd's. I seem to be able to create vcd's (using
Cucusoft's Avi to VCD converter pro and Nero burning). But having a much
more difficult time creating DVD's with the same software.

I am particularly uncertain about the dvd file formats (.IFO .BUP .VOB). I
assume all are necessary for the stable creation of a dvd. Everything I've
tried/seen seems to retain the peculiar numbering system for the files in
the ts_video(?) folder. I want to either rename the files so I know what
songs are on the particular DVD or be able to create menus that allow
options (such as "play all"; "play selected tracks"; etc.) So I guess all
that is to say, I want to be able to take either our existing mpeg1 videos
and/or create multi layer (music, background, scrolling lyrics) original
creations. I want to be to play these on regular component dvd players.

BTW - we have a copyright license allowing us to display/publicly play the
music for our church services, so this is not a legal issue but simply a
technology learning curve.

Thank you in advance for your suggestions/assistance,

Walt Harvey
Oasis Ministries

[Mark Burns]

Hi Walt:

A good place to start for making DVD's is TmpgEnc Author. This will
create a DVD with one video and one audio track, menus, chapters. It
can have multiple titlesets (here called tracks). This is an easy way
to guide one through the making of the DVD process.

http://www.tmpg-inc.com/product/tsda.html

I do not recommend the PRO version nor the AC3 2-channel option. I
have yet to come across an NSTC player that will not play mpa audio,
and can't hear any difference. The PRO version with its built in
encoder is a waste, and it's internet connection call home requirement
is a tack in the pew seat.

To do basic editing on mpeg files before authoring, look at the Womble
products. I use mpeg-vcr($50), but the extra features and editing
capabilities of mpeg video wizard ($100)may be more of what you need.
This will transcode audio and video to make it DVD compliant, depending
on your source material, assuming that it already in mpeg format.

http://www.womble.com/

For learning more about making DVD's, take a look at www.mrbass.org.
Down load the free software (from that site) DvdShrink (for copying,
reauthoring, and shrinking) and DvdDecrypter (for burning). Use the
guides on his website to learn to back up a DVD and recreate it.
Re-author it. Change the start and end frames. Put together your own
complilations. After that, graduate to www.videohelp.com. I believe
that the site is a bit overwhelming (like an encyclopedia) at first,
but after going through the above and being more knowledgable it is a
good resource.

One should also consider the Epson R200 printer for printing on inkjet
printable DVD's. I buy Verbatums at Sam's for $44 per 100. Bought the
printer there for $80 as well.

I have and recommend the Pioneer A08 DVD Writer.

Cheers...

Mark

[Ken Maltby]

"The Empowerment Group" <walt@mycomputerstaff.com> wrote in message
news:W664f.15194$QE1.3631@newsread2.news.atl.earthlink.net...