DVD Authoring Under Linux?

phorm asks: "After getting a much-awaited DVD-burner for Christmas, I've yet to use it to actually burn a video DVD. The main reason thus far: I've yet to find decent DVD-authoring software (either for Linux or Windows) that does what I want and doesn't have a high pricetag. So far, Freshmeat projects seem to be extremely alpha/beta quality, with not much support for buttons, animated menus/backgrounds, and all the other things that make commercial DVD's truly beautiful. Does anyone know of any affordable/free DVD authoring software that has these features? Preference to open-source or Linux software, but Windows software will do if there's nothing better." phorm is not alone in this quest, read on for another query on this topic.

To add on to phorm's query, smz420 asks: "A few months ago, I acquired a DVD burner and have had a lot of fun creating discs. While they come out well, they're very much cookie-cutter, due to the software I've been using to create them. There just doesn't seem to be a lot of flexibility built into the consumer level authoring systems out there, and I'd like to take my discs to the next level. Can anyone in Slashdot-land recommend books, links or software packages that could lead me down the road towards 'prosumer' DVD authoring? I'd like to be able to take full control over authoring: design my own button shapes and structures; place text where-ever I want on a menu page; create custom navigation structures, and possibly plant an easter egg or two. So far, I've tried Pinnacle Studio 8, Sonic MyDVD and Nero on Windows 2000. While each had very good aspects to them, all of them fell short of enabling 'next level' DVD authoring. Any advice would be most appreciated."

Comments

iMovie

[fredistheking]

works great. Oh linux or windows? Nevermind. =)

-

Re:iMovie

[Baldorg]

That is because we actually care about having good Video and Audio quality, not retarded menus. Menus aren't part of movies, thus they are useless.

Re:iMovie

[Anonymous Coward]

No! Features are bad! BAD!

"Prosumer"

[Hatta]

Prosumer? Come on now.

Why not buy it?

[fuzzy12345]

I haven't been able to find a decent car for free, either.

There's commercial software that does what you want, but you can't find anything for free. You could a) pay b) code c) whine to slashdot.

1992 called...

[Anonymous Coward]

they said your rightious indignation was overdue.

Re:Roxio Easy Media Creator 7

[HisMother]

> although it was a bit on the pricey side (59.99 after 20 dollar rebate at best buy)

$60 is pricey? Jesus, man, no wonder so many IT jobs are being offshored if that's too much to pay for software.

How about...

[Anonymous Coward]

if he's doing it because he has PC hardware and recieved a DVD writer as a gift?

Or how about you read the f'ing questions?

Or barring that, how about you read the f'ing comments so there aren't 15 people with the same answer that doesn't address the same questions they none of them read?

How about I adjust my expecations to the shockingly low standards of the enviroment? Yeah... It's working, I can feel it tingling.

Re:Sigh

[null-sRc]

As much as I like linux. "Linux is great, and I love it but " translation: linux sucks, but this is slashdot so putting it down will result in severe downmodding. I love gentoo BTW ;)

A jedi does not crave these things

[Anonymous Coward]

support for buttons?
animated menus/backgrounds?

These are useless and get in the way. A true nerd only wants to store the MPEGS on the disc, and *maybe* have a text menu. Shame on you.

Re:For linux software to be great...

[dasmegabyte]

Pardon me sir. I have rewritten your post to underscore my cynicism for your viewpoint. Examine:

"Guys, I want you to go steal all of Apple's ideas. That way, you don't have to come up with an interface or features by yourselves! Innovation is best left up to Apple, a company that pays for talented developers to engineer quality products. But fucked if I'm going to pay for it! I ain't no sucker. Now, make me free software, I command it!"

Re:dvdauthor

[Anonymous Coward]

> disclaimer: I wrote it.

thank you

Re:Ask your mac friend

[NanoGator]

"Author the DVD on your mac friend's computer"

Man I wish I had a few more friends so the odds of finding one with a Mac would go up.

No, no, no, no

[hayden]

- ask about any subject X and include 'Linux' and it'll get your answers posted to slashdot.

You need to ask the question where "Linux sucks because Windows can do X" where X is something you want to do under linux. Trolling is far more effective than actually asking for help.

(Probably stolen from a bash.org quote. Free karma to person who posts the link)

Re:No, no, no, no

[wanion]

#152037 +(940)- [X]

<dm> I discovered that you'd never get an answer to a problem from Linux Gurus by asking. You have to troll in order for someone to help you with a Linux problem.
<dm> For example, I didn't know how to find files by contents and the man pages were way too confusing. What did I do? I knew from experience that if I just asked, I'd be told to read the man pages even though it was too hard for me.
<dm> Instead, I did what works. Trolling. By stating that Linux sucked because it was so hard to find a file compared to Windows, I got every self-described Linux Guru around the world coming to my aid. They gave me examples after examples of different ways to do it. All this in order to prove to everyone that Linux was better.
* ion has quit IRC (Ping timeout)
<dm> brings a tear to my eye... :') so true..
<dm> So if you're starting out Linux, I advise you to use the same method as I did to get help. Start the sentence with "Linux is gay because it can't do XXX like Windows can". You will have PhDs running to tell you how to solve your problems.
<dm> this person must be a kindred spirit of mine

Re:sorry for more of the obvious

[gstoddart]

(That and the unic command line =)

Complete with ispell. ;-P

Re:Roxio Easy Media Creator 7

[Anonymous Coward]

Please use the name Jesus only when referring to the precious Son of God. Read the 3rd commandment. Exodus 20:7 "You shall not take the name of the LORD your God in vain; for the LORD will not hold him guiltless who takes his name in vain."

Re:There's no OSS to do [activity of interest]

[bwy]

Set up a foundation. Take pledges and donations.

Well, if you are going to pay the developers you might as well set up a corporation (it isn't that difficult) and hire the developers as employees(!) and then charge for the product. In case you'll feel guilty for some reason about actually building something and selling it(!), provide an outstanding product with outstanding support. The consumers will be happy because they've gotten something they couldn't have gotten any other place, and for an affordable price and with good support. Oh, and you, as the corporation, can pay your developers and they'll have money to feed their kids.

This sounds like a hell of a system doesn't it :) I heard this type of system thrived in the United States during the 1800's, but has all but vanished now.

only on slashdot

[ShadowRage]

could you ask for a lightbulb and get the glass blowing machine, the parts, the filaments, how to make your own lamp booklet and how to wire your room to have electricity.. but never the lightbulb.

Re:Short Guide Courtesy of shiznix

[omega9]

Well, they both live in Adelaide, Australia. So at least if they're not the same person they're close enough to kick the crap out of each other.

Re:Short Guide Courtesy of shiznix

[Anonymous Coward]

nah. we don't hate gentoo. its just that our gentoo install is still compiling :o