Video Editing and DVD Authoring

[surfymark]

Probably been done before and if so I am sorry!!

I have a Sony Camcorder which allows me to download the tapes that I take onto my PC. So I have a folder full of avi files. I am looking for a very simple program which will allow me to join and split these avi files, make them into chapters, put titles and a menu on them and burn them on to a dvd.

I have tried numerous magazine demos but most of them are either too complicated or the demo is so restricted that I cannot do anything!! Preferably I would like something cheap that has a demo but if there is a demo I want a full demo (i.e. time limited rather than cut functionality).

Can anyone help? I have been looking for something for a good few months now!

cheers
Mark

[GetCarter]

For editing - the simple option is windoze movie maker (comes free with XP) - it'll do all you want. You probably have it hiding on your hard disk.

For DVD authoring, I use Adobe EncoreDVD - which is a right pain in the butt to use, but once you have torn your hair out for a while, does everything it says on the tin (multiple menus etc).

YHM

[surfymark]

Hmm, Adobe EncoreDVD is just under £300!! I was looking for something slightly cheaper!

I will take a look at MovieMaker though for editing.

cheers
Mark

[jimothy]

surfymark said:

Hmm, Adobe EncoreDVD is just under £300!! I was looking for something slightly cheaper! I will take a look at MovieMaker though for editing. cheers Mark

Buy a mac, comes with iLife that has got the easiest movie and DVD authoring software ever... Bit over £300 but well worth it!

http://store.apple.com/Apple/WebObjects/ukstore.woa/90801/wo/1O3DI3heuZbb2KxLK2E2fvThejN/0.0.11.1.0.6.23.1.2.1.0.0.0.1.0

[chris.mapey]

Try Peck's Power Join

It's free - works well

www.divx-digest.com/software/pp_join.html

Hope that helps,

Chris

[T.K.E]

I'd heavily recommend Adobe Premiere Elements. My copy cost £65 ish from Amazon I think, and it's very good indeed. I tried Pinnacle Studio and Ulead software before it but where Premiere Elements scores over them is that it's core components are based on the full Premiere which means it's very stable and doesn't crash all the time. It also has some really useful features like key-frameable effects (where you can decided exactly when an effect/transition starts and also how it develops). I found the other packages limited me considerably once I learnt how to use them.

The only drawbacks are that the DVD authoring is pretty limited. You get quite a few templates but they are all rubbish looking and you don't have the option to design your own unfortunately.