DVD Authoring

[wbassett]

I have several projects that I would like to do. The first one I am working on is a personalized and custom DVD set of the Rocky movies. First and foremost I want to say I own all of the original DVDs and nothing is copied nor is this intended for anyone else by myself.

Okay, disclaimer out of the way!

Anyone familiar with these movies knows that with the exception of Rocky Balboa, all the movies begin with the ending of the previous movie. Ideally if I could remove the opening credits it would make life easier, but I have managed to edit together the first two movies. I faded out the first movie right as it fades to black and the Rocky theme also fades, and then bring things back up with a soft fade as they enter the hospital at the start of the second movie. This bypassed the ambulance drive and opening credits.

What I am trying to do is take the six movies and make a three disc, three act set.(dual layer, BD and HD DVD technology is still too expensive for consumers) Along the way there are some things I would like to edit out as well.

So that's the concept and I actually pulled off the first disc, well somewhat. My problem and question is what is software can I use to do something like this, including the final burn that works for basic editing and adding fades, but doesn't cost an arm and a leg? Don't laugh, but I was actually able to do 90% of the work using Nero Vision because that's the only thing I had readily available. The software could have potential for the basics, but overall it was unusable. It crashed more than it worked, and I was never able to finalize my project and burn it to DVD.

It did show me that what I want to do can be done with very simple and basic editing if I have the right software that actually works. My question is, are there any basic programs for around the $100 mark that will do what I am describing? Nothing fancy as far as the edits, just basic fade in and out, and the ability to create a custom menu when the disc is first put in the player.

Like I said, I know this can be done but I don't want to spend a ton of money, I just need the basics.

[tweeksound]

Sounds like a cool project.

Often times, a video editor won't have authoring functions and vice versa.

I primarily use Final Cut and DVD Studio Pro but there are a few shareware options that look pretty interesting.

Here's one.
Again. I haven't tried this myself so don't take my word for it.

http://www.findapp.com/fMgmt/PDetails.aspx?PID=26172

[wbassett]

Final Cut Pro? My son used that in school and if that's it isn't that just mac based?

Yeah it is a fun project to me. When I previewed the project with Nero Vision I nailed the cuts and edits, so I was pleased that I managed that with a tool that was the equivalent of using rocks! I was even able to make a nice custom menu, but couldn't burn it! Every time it would fail, even when trying to author it to a folder on my hard drive.

The rest of the movies in the series will take more editing, so a better program would be nice. I always hated the 'kid' in the movies. He would age years between movies when the movie story time line was actually only a few months. Since Rocky IV has his son as an integral part of the story Robert has to stay in that one, but going from four or five in III, to eight or so in V, and then a teenager in IV is very disconcerting.

Also, Stallone himself has said he wasn't pleased with IV at all, and the end street fight was more of an add on, so plans would be to end IV when Gunn wins the title and neglects to acknowledge Rocky. That seems to be the low point if his life, then it fades to '15 years later'...

Back To the Future also is a movie series where each movie begins with the ending of the last movie so if I can pull this off with Rocky, Back to the Future will be next... followed of course with removing the scene in Star Wars where Greedo shots first!

Thanks for the advice and I'll check out the link.

[Rodny Alvarez]

Your choice...$50, $100, $130
http://www.pinnaclesys.com/PublicSit...io+Plus+11.htm
I have pinnacle 9 but I'm learning how to use it!!

At the Shack Store...
http://www.hometheatershack.com/elec...io+9&c=blended

[wbassett]

Thanks Rodny, actually let me know what you think of Pinnical. I've heard pros and cons about alot of the DVD authoring software that's out there so I definitely want some input from first hand experience.

Specifically let me know how it works with basic editing, menus and the final burn. Oh, and if it can do dual layer DVDs.

[Rodny Alvarez]

Hey Bill!!
I haven't had time to play with that program enough, I've been busy trying to figure out Blender(3D program)
Have you check nero 7?? Its on sale beacuse they coming out with nero 8, $39.99.
http://www.nero.com/nero7/enu/index.html

[wbassett]

Nero 7 and Nero Vision is okay for very basic things, which is exactly what I need, but I had major problems finalizing the project and burning to disc (or even just to a folder on my HD).

My son took AV in school and used Final Cut, but that's a Mac program unless they released a PC version. If you get Nero let me know if you have any better luck with it, it has potential for basic menus and things like that.

[rushfan]

[quote=Rodny Alvarez;51466]Your choice...$50, $100, $130
http://www.pinnaclesys.com/PublicSit...io+Plus+11.htm
I have pinnacle 9 but I'm learning how to use it!!
[quote]

I see you haven't come back to this thread lately to post about the Pinnacle software. I just purchased Pinnacle Ultimate 11. I would be very interested in your success (hopefully ) since last September as I am just getting started with '11'.

[tonyvdb]

The best program to use is Speed Edit but sadly its not cheap. but for the money its leaps and bounds ahead of the others.

[Rodny Alvarez]

[quote=rushfan;75658][quote=Rodny Alvarez;51466]Your choice...$50, $100, $130
http://www.pinnaclesys.com/PublicSit...io+Plus+11.htm
I have pinnacle 9 but I'm learning how to use it!!

I see you haven't come back to this thread lately to post about the Pinnacle software. I just purchased Pinnacle Ultimate 11. I would be very interested in your success (hopefully ) since last September as I am just getting started with '11'.

I haven't had time to play with it, to much work and other projects


sorry