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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."

30 of 427 comments (clear)

  1. You pay for software??? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: -1, Offtopic

    What kind of slashdot reader are you?

  2. it wont help your problem... by tsunamifirestorm · · Score: -1, Offtopic

    Macintosh's imovie and idvd allowed me, a relatively less-informed nerd, to create some cool looking menus. Does apple make any software like this for pcs?

    1. Re:it wont help your problem... by Trillan · · Score: 0, Offtopic

      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.

  3. sorry for more of the obvious by PanamaCongress · · Score: 1, Offtopic

    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... =)

    1. Re:sorry for more of the obvious by Cthefuture · · Score: 0, Offtopic

      Will iDVD work with firewire DVD burners? It says you must have an Apple SuperDrive (pffft).

      Why does iDVD require a 733 Mhz G4? Will it work on my ~400 Mhz G3?

      --
      The ratio of people to cake is too big
    2. Re:sorry for more of the obvious by loginx · · Score: 0, Offtopic

      I will buy a mac as soon as they start making mouses with a left and right button, and a scrollwheel.

      I will pay the price to get myself a nice mac as soon as they do this.

      Until then, it's not an alternative to anything as far as I'm concerned.

    3. Re:sorry for more of the obvious by mrwonton · · Score: 1, Offtopic

      Well, you can use third party mice with Macs, including ones with multiple buttons. You're not limited to just the one button ones anymore.

      --
      Not more than you need, just more than you want
    4. Re:sorry for more of the obvious by loginx · · Score: 0, Offtopic

      Thanks.
      I am actually planning on acquiring a mac anyway, but this is something that was really bothering me.

      I knew some people who had macs and they were all using the standard Apple mouse so I didn't think it was even possible to use another mouse.

      I'll still need a little time before acquiring a mac though, but it's an investment I will make.

    5. Re:sorry for more of the obvious by JudgeFurious · · Score: 1, Offtopic

      Man, seriously I'm not trying to flame or troll either (someone will not take me at my word though, just watch) but IMO (and I understand that it's strictly my opinion) The Mac just has so much other stuff licked that the urge to say "Try a Mac" in some fashion is tough to resist. Time and again I see Windows (and Linux sometimes these days) users wanting to do something that the Mac "just does" with the software it showed up on my doorstep with.

      Having said that though I've begun making a concerted effort to not necessarily throw out the "If you had a Mac you could...." answer first. If I have an answer for a question then I provide it before going "zealot" on others.

      In general I've found that people get hacked over this so I figure that among a bunch of people who are annoyed because I'm suggesting a completely different platform/OS/approach there will be very few converts.

      --
      Appended to the end of comments you post. 120 chars.
    6. Re:sorry for more of the obvious by SharkPork · · Score: 0, Offtopic

      The reason they keep pushing the mac thing is to reaffirm to themselves that they didn't make a bad investment on overpriced hardware. Nobody likes to be embarrassed alone. I support both mac and windows boxen, and truthfully, in my experience to date, the x86 PC's are FAR superior to anything that macintosh has been able to provide. However, since this actually has nothing to with the actual topic of the post.. This is one of the reasons I haven't got a dvd burner yet, because the (affordable) software hasn't caught up to the hardware yet.

      --
      If you can read this, you are most likely close enough.
  4. Unfortunately by 2nd+Post! · · Score: 0, Offtopic

    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.

  5. Mac? by nacturation · · Score: 0, Offtopic

    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.
  6. Public Terminal by Anonymous Coward · · Score: -1, Offtopic

    Important Stuff:

    Please try to keep posts on topic.
    Try to reply to other people's comments instead of starting new threads.
    Read other people's messages before posting your own to avoid simply duplicating what has already been said.
    Use a clear subject that describes what your message is about.
    Offtopic, Inflammatory, Inappropriate, Illegal, or Offensive comments might be moderated. (You can read everything, even moderated posts, by adjusting your threshold on the User Preferences Page)
    If you want replies to your comments sent to you, consider logging in or creating an account.
    Problems regarding accounts or comment posting should be sent to CowboyNeal.

  7. Important Stuff by Anonymous Coward · · Score: -1, Offtopic

    Please try to keep posts on topic.
    Try to reply to other people's comments instead of starting new threads.
    Read other people's messages before posting your own to avoid simply duplicating what has already been said.
    Use a clear subject that describes what your message is about.
    Offtopic, Inflammatory, Inappropriate, Illegal, or Offensive comments might be moderated. (You can read everything, even moderated posts, by adjusting your threshold on the User Preferences Page)
    If you want replies to your comments sent to you, consider logging in or creating an account.
    Problems regarding accounts or comment posting should be sent to CowboyNeal.

  8. Re:Some Questions Every Business Should Ask by Anonymous Coward · · Score: -1, Offtopic

    How are you using GPL software and what obligations does it impose? The obligations associated with the GPL vary substantially depending upon the way in which GPL code is used. Even limited or relatively obscure uses (e.g., including a few lines of GPL code in a commercial product or linking directly or indirectly to a GPL library) may have a dramatic effect on your legal rights and obligations. To understand the potential implications of the GPL, you need to have a detailed understanding of your use of GPL code. Basing any analysis upon a superficial understanding may present serious risks.

    How does your use of GPL software affect your intellectual property rights? One of the most significant impacts of the GPL is its potential effect on your intellectual property rights. The GPL is widely referred to as "viral" because it attempts to subject independently-created code (and associated intellectual property) to the terms of the GPL if it is used in certain ways together with GPL code (see Sections 2 and 3 of the GPL). For example, a business that combines and distributes GPL code with its own proprietary code may be obligated to share with the rest of the world valuable intellectual property (including patent) rights in both code bases on a royalty free basis. Other uses of GPL code may also create obligations for the user. It is important to perform a careful legal and technical review of this issue before using GPL software.

  9. Re:iMovie by DarKrow · · Score: 0, Offtopic

    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
  10. suprnova.org by Anonymous Coward · · Score: -1, Offtopic

    The most free software available ANYWHERE. I got Adobe Premiere there. How does Adobe Premiere compare to Adobe Encore anyway?

  11. TechTV by dostert · · Score: 0, Offtopic

    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

  12. iDVD by SJ · · Score: -1, Offtopic

    iDVD 4 is free when you buy a new Mac

  13. Re:iMovie by thelasttemptation · · Score: 0, Offtopic

    how does one use OS X not on a mac illeagally?

  14. Re:iMovie by epiphani · · Score: -1, Offtopic

    use OSX legally? You mean, there is some way to use OSX without buying a mac? I would probably consider killing cute furry animals if it got me a copy of OSX/aqua on i386.

    --
    .
  15. In A.D. 2101... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: -1, Offtopic

    DVD was beginning

    Captain: What happen?
    Operator: Somebody set up us the menu!
    Operator: We get signal?
    Captain: What!
    Operator: Main menu turn on.
    Captain: It's You!!
    Cats: How are you gentlemen!!
    Cats: All your DVD are belong to us.
    Cats: Your menus are on the way to destruction.
    Captain: What you say!!
    Cats: You have no chance to customize use your template.
    Cats: Ha Ha Ha Ha...

  16. Re:iMovie by Jaysyn · · Score: -1, Offtopic

    VNC with Fiber running between the computers?

    Jaysyn

    --
    There is a war going on for your mind.
  17. Re:iMovie by The+Analog+Kid · · Score: 1, Offtopic

    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.

  18. Re:iMovie by Anonymous Coward · · Score: -1, Offtopic

    What do you mean use OS X without a Mac? The best desktop OS in the world deserves to run on great hardware. If you want to run junk x86 crap, then you're stuck with what that hardware runs. And that includes DVD authoring software.

  19. Re:Everyone's busy bashing the Mac by Chanc_Gorkon · · Score: 0, Offtopic

    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

  20. Re:Roxio Easy Media Creator 7 by Adrian+De+Leon · · Score: 0, Offtopic

    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
  21. Re:You may find this link useful by Anonymous Coward · · Score: -1, Offtopic

    Fist first, or just bend your arm and lead with the elbow? I'd pay to see that. Ooooh, I love elbow sex.

  22. Re:iMovie by Anonymous Coward · · Score: -1, Offtopic

    This certainly wasn't flamebait. You are a cocksucker. (Now THAT's flamebait)

  23. Re:Roxio Easy Media Creator 7 by Mr+Guy · · Score: 0, Offtopic

    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.