DVD Menu Creation Software?

[Nocturnus]

After being a long-time Linux user, I have recently installed Vista Home Premium on one of my systems, however, I'm having quite a lot of trouble finding the appropriate software!

My hobbies, and to an extent my line of work means that I tend to capture quite a lot of video footage, which I then edit using my chosen software and subsequently run through Roxio Creator 2009 in order to apply a DVD menu and burn it to a disk.

However, my problem is this; If, using the software I generally use Linux, I wanted to add a 700mb file to an ISO, the file itself would retain it's original size even when converted, meaning I could fit several movies onto a single disk. However, if I import the same file into Roxio Creator 2009, it 'bloats' it terribly (often up to 3.5GB+).

Could anyone possibly recommend a decent piece of burning/menu creation software that would ensure the files I add to the ISO retain their original size? Aesthetically pleasing menu templates would also be rather pleasant! Whilst freeware is obviously desirable, I wouldn't be averse to paying for a piece of top-quality software.

Thank you in advance for your help!

[senu]

DVD Movie Factory ( Ulead / Corel) you can try b4 you buy
As for "Free" Im not sure there is any DVD authoring solution which is free
DVD Architect Studio ( Sony ) is also good athough a little less easy to use
It is often bundled with Sony Vegas Movie Studio but is available as standalone title
It also has a trial version ( usable)
Certainly versions of these other than the very latest may be found for peanuts
I might have an older version Im not using and not on any PC PM me if ou wish to try but the trial version is fully working AFAIK

[Nocturnus]

Thank you very much for the recommendations, Senu.

I did try DVD Architect on a friend's computer a while back, but I personally didn't like it all that much.

[Nocturnus]

I seem to be suffering the same problem with DVD MovieFactory. A 700mb video file suddenly became 6.3GB (too large to fit on a disc!) when imported.

[Nocturnus]

Any suggestions, anyone?

[senu]

There must be something in the settings to make your files " expand"
Ive used the last 4 versions of Movie factory and never experienced this
I also have Roxio 2009 thouh I dont use it much
Just what are your source files, and work flow. Although DVD Meuns may use up a ittle space, they do not tend to bloat DVD complinant mpeg2 files as you describe
If you are using DIVX or mpeg whose video is beyong 2 hrs thia may be an issue
An analogy i you can have a large no of mp3s on a CD but when yu try to create an audio CD,the file format changes and only a few will fit in

[jaymac]

This may be too basic but its free alas only for today
Giveaway of the Day - free licensed software daily. Today: WinX DVD Author 5.5 - WinX DVD Author is professional and easy-to-use DVD authoring software designed to create and burn DVD from various video files, ...

[Ikki]

Three free DVD authoring apps for Windows are:

DeVeDe

DVDStyler

DVDFlick

I haven't really used the bottom two, at least not for a long time. I use DeVeDe quite a lot as it is very reliable.

[Nocturnus]

Originally Posted by senu

There must be something in the settings to make your files " expand"
Ive used the last 4 versions of Movie factory and never experienced this
I also have Roxio 2009 thouh I dont use it much
Just what are your source files, and work flow. Although DVD Meuns may use up a ittle space, they do not tend to bloat DVD complinant mpeg2 files as you describe
If you are using DIVX or mpeg whose video is beyong 2 hrs thia may be an issue
An analogy i you can have a large no of mp3s on a CD but when yu try to create an audio CD,the file format changes and only a few will fit in

I use DivX. May I ask why this would cause the files to expand in such a way? I've used DivX files in Linux with no problem at all.

Originally Posted by jaymac

This may be too basic but its free alas only for today
Giveaway of the Day - free licensed software daily. Today: WinX DVD Author 5.5 - WinX DVD Author is professional and easy-to-use DVD authoring software designed to create and burn DVD from various video files, ...

Thank you very much for the link. I downloaded and installed it, but it refuses to so much as open. Strange!

Originally Posted by Ikki

Three free DVD authoring apps for Windows are:

DeVeDe

DVDStyler

DVDFlick

I haven't really used the bottom two, at least not for a long time. I use DeVeDe quite a lot as it is very reliable.

You see, DeVeDe is the program I use when creating DVDs in Linux and I've had no problems of this sort before. However, I just attempted creating an ISO in the Windows version of DeVeDe and I still have the same problem with 'expanding files'.

This has me well and truly stumped!

[MarkE19]

Originally Posted by Nocturnus

I use DivX. May I ask why this would cause the files to expand in such a way? I've used DivX files in Linux with no problem at all.

DivX is one file format that can have a much higher compression ration than MPEG-2 (used for a DVD) before you loose too much quality. When you create a compliant DVD the files must be converted to MPEG-2 and therefore they will increase in size. For a single layer DVD you will only get 1 to 2 hours of footage before the quality starts to drop off.
I can only assume that your previous discs were just DivX files on a DVD rather than a true DVD and they would therefore only play on a DivX compatible DVD player

Mark.

[aet3]

What about Pinnacle Ultimate V12 + Patch ( a free download).

[jaymac]

[QUOTE=Nocturnus;9524469]

Thank you very much for the link. I downloaded and installed it, but it refuses to so much as open. Strange!



QUOTE]

Sorry it did not install and now as its past the close point probaly wont .Though I have known it to sometimes succeed .I presume you unzipped and then used setup .exe. then you install and then you need to use activate .exe to activate . Academic now as ti may be too late

[aet3]

Did you download and install Pinnacle Ultimate V12 OK.
The free download patch is dependent on which operating system you are running (ie: Vista Premium or Ultimate etc).
You stipulate which system at the time of download.
Hope this helps.

[Nocturnus]

Originally Posted by MarkE19

I can only assume that your previous discs were just DivX files on a DVD rather than a true DVD and they would therefore only play on a DivX compatible DVD player

Nope, I'd import them to DeVeDe, which would subsequently compile them all into an ISO, which was playable on any DVD player.

[FauxPas]

Personally I prefer Adobe Encore, but it sure isnt free!