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DVD Authoring Under Linux?
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."
Apple is really ahead of the game here -- iDVD is very reliable and easy to use, though simplistic. Apple's DVD Studio Pro gives excellent authoring support for more sophisticated authoring. MacOS X is an excellent UNIX alternative.... and you won't ever have to pay SCO licensing fees for OSX... =)
And I'm sure the anti-Apple mods will say this is overrated, flamebait, or whatnot, but there is a *reason* Apple's been spending big bucks on DVD production software.
$1,100 eMac and you get iDVD4, the *best* DVD software I have ever seen. For an additional $300, you can get DVD Studio Pro, which offers *everything* in DVD production (literally, since it can make professional level DVDs!)
Unfortunately those solutions *require* a Mac.
But if you want to make the best DVDs, *hands down*, and simply, you need a Mac.
GPL Deconstructed
No, really. If you're just doing this for fun and you don't want to spend anything (other than your time), then perhaps there's some Open Source project you can work with to help develop it to the level you need.
But if you're doing this to make money, there's no substitute for getting a Mac. Final Cut Express + DVD Studio is the combination you're looking for. Extremely professional results, all the flexibility you want, and support for the full range of DVD authoring options.
Want to improve your Karma? Instead of "Post Anonymously", try the "Post Humously" option.
I bought a DVD burner a year ago and never could get it working. I burnt my first DVD with my new Mac two days ago, and it worked perfectly first try (well, first try I waited long enough instead of deciding it had crashed -- it hadn't, the progress bar had just stopped updating for some reason).
I think the product Apple turned into Final Cut Pro used to have a Windows version, but it was dropped. No Linux version, though.
Before my DVD drive blew out, I used ogle for my DVD playing needs. Ogle supports menus FLAWLESSLY.
It lives up to it's name: http://www.sanspoint.com
TechTV did a short article on this not too long ago. All free tools. I've used DVDXCopy and even CloneDVD, but the truth is these free tools work best (DVD Decrypter and DVD Shrink). http://www.techtv.com/screensavers/darktips/story/ 0,24330,3605537,00.html
how does one use OS X not on a mac illeagally?
You can run OS X on MOL with an AmigaOneG3SE for instance. Since it's not a Apple motherboard(an since the EULA for OS X says you can only use it on Apple computers) you would not by running it legally.
While I did not buy a eMac, I did buy a Mac because I got totally frustrated with any of the software I have seen on the PC level.
I have Pinnacle Studio 8 and it had issues with audio syncing. Through alot of reading on the net, I found problems with MOST of the cheaper products and was afraid that by the time I found something that worked for my style, I would have spent as much as I did on my 12 inch powerbook. After buying my Powerbook, I had a DVD burnt with in 2-3 hours and most of the time I wast having a blast. While I agree the guy asking the question asked for Linux programs, I figure if you have to ask Slashdot, there probably isn't anything that will work. I know getting a Mac may not be ideal so here's my take...I'd try the Ulead first. After that if that did not work, get Adobe Encore or get a Mac. Seriously. Also, Pinnacle is bringing out or has brought out Studio 9. Hopefully they fixed some of the issues and made some enhancments because the editing system is spiffy. My only beef....it's a bitch to add MP3 audio and NOT obvious. Also adding music from a cd needs to have that disc in the drive everytime your editing the project (in version 8). That needs fixed as well as the audio oos problem.
As far as Linux goes, considering that just PLAYING DVD's was such a chore just a few short years ago, creating them will be even harder. I don't know of any program except some just movie editing (filmgimp) but those are still very new. Pay the bucks and get a windows or mac product.
Gorkman
Feeding the troll....
Huh? So how do you want me to call my friends whose name is "Jesus"? The guy formerly known as Jesus?
By the way, don't forget Lev. 25:44, Exodus 35:2 or hundreds of examples in the Bible about how fair, just and forgiving your god is.
adl
My boring ramblings
Don't bother. He's misunderstanding anyway. That verse reads equivalently as Leviticus 19:12, Deuteronomy 6:13, and Deuteronomy 10:20 all of which are referring to taking oaths on the name of the Lord. In otherwords, God is telling the Israelites if you claim to be doing something in the name of the Lord, God will hold you to it and punish you for failure. Verse Links
It's a sobering promise, and it's why we used to swear on the Bible in courts, even if it's a practise being done away with now.
Never confuse volume with power.