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DVD Authoring Under Linux?

Posted by Cliff on from the creating-your-own-media dept.

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."

6 of 427 comments (clear)

  1. stop with the mac comments by Siniset · · Score: 5, Insightful
    Yes, we are all aware of how much better the mac is at dvd authoring, but for various reasons many of us are tied to x86 win/linux world. Many of us can only afford one computer, and have to work on that to get all our work done. If someone knows of some websites or programs that might be useful for someone using windows or linux.

    mark me as -1 troll, but I get tired of this sort of thing on slashdot. He did not ask about what operating system would be best for dvd authoring, he's just looking for some software that'll work with his current OS.

    1. Re:stop with the mac comments by AaronD12 · · Score: 4, Insightful
      He did not ask about what operating system would be best for dvd authoring, he's just looking for some software that'll work with his current OS.

      Do you realize people are not telling him to change operating systems? They're saying the best solutions are iDVD and DVD Studio Pro, which just happen to run only on the Mac.

      I know what you're saying, but they're not telling him to switch to Mac because it's a better operating system, they're telling him to switch because these applications are only available on Mac.

  2. Re:Unfortunately by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 4, Insightful

    True, and that's good info for people who haven't invested any money yet and are looking to start fresh with DVD authoring. I'm sure I'd think hard about a Mac if that was my goal...

    But if the question is "I want to do better authoring under Linux, or Windows if I have to" then "get a Mac" is a piss poor answer to the question, and only serves annoy the person asking the question. As such, it probably DESERVES to be modded down, especially when its the 4th or 5th such answer given.

  3. Re:There's no OSS to do [activity of interest] by dasmegabyte · · Score: 4, Insightful

    Which is one of the biggest challenges in OSS: it's "free" as in speech, so it should also be "free" as in beer.

    Personally, I think the OSS community could do a great job on DVD authoring (having been personally impressed with Blender). But first? They'd need to have money to pay all them developers. DVD Authoring is not some piddlyshit task. It will require a devoted team to create a cohesive interface that will attract DVD creators from all walks of life. And to acheive this, might I suggest *gasp* paying the team? Set up a foundation. Take pledges and donations. Give money to the guys who make the software.

    Somebody's got to be willing to do business. Otherwise, OSS really is nothing more than "free toys." Come on, guys, the ACLU does alright for itself...why not create an FSF that actually does something MORE than advocacy?

    --
    Hey freaks: now you're ju
  4. Re:This thread required under the DMCA... by TheWanderingHermit · · Score: 3, Insightful

    DVD Authoring != DVD Burning

    There is a huge difference. Look at your DVD of The Matrix and all the cool menu formats and extra features, like the ability to listen to the commentary. These are things that are needed for a good DVD authoring program.

    K3B is a good program (I use it a lot), but to say that it helps for DVD authoring is like someone with a pencil saying he can print and publish a book.

  5. The mac comments come for a reason by ThousandStars · · Score: 3, Insightful
    If someone wrote in asking "I need a reliable server for my small to medium-sized business, and I don't have a lot of money -- just for e-mail, host my database-driven website and little else. I haven't bought Windows, but that's all I really want. What should I get?" Everyone would scream LINUX because that's probably the best solution for the situation.

    I use Windows on a day-to-day basis, but I've met lots of people who swear by iMovie, FCE and FCP.

    He didn't ask for OS advice, but if the poster wants to make great DVDs in as little time as possible, I've heard only positive things about one OS and a few programs.