Guide to choosing the best DVD media
Here's a useful guide to the best and worst of DVD media, and everything in between. Find out how different manufacturers' DVD media output is rated in user tests; whether branded is better than non-branded; how to avoid fakes and how to buy safely.
digitalFAQ >

Choosing DVD authoring software
DVD authoring involves putting together digital, audio and video material, together with titles and subtitles and menus, in order to make an original, playable DVD. To do this, you use authoring software – names in authoring software include Apple, Sonic Solutions, Ulead and Pinnacle.

You can buy authoring software for PC or Mac – there is more choice for PC, but some people find Mac software easier to use. Largely, you get what you pay for, but if you are a beginner, stick to good beginner’s software rather than paying extra for professional-level packages with features and complexities that you can do without. If you are starting out, prepare to invest time in becoming proficient.

The cheapest authoring software will only make a very small hole in your pocket, but will also have only a limited range of features. It will allow you to transfer video onto a DVD, and add a menu and chapter points. The software is easy to use but may be inflexible, providing templates which you can modify, rather than allowing you to design your own interface. It may not have good proofing capabilities, that is, you won’t be able to review your work-in-progress in any very satisfactory way.

You need to pay more for better proofing and more features – but before you buy, find out all you can about the software specification and compare different packages. Balance out your requirements against cost, and buy the best package you can afford that will meet your objectives.

Latest Product News
Do you have news about products or services that might
interest ourreaders? We'd love to hear about it ... more