Helllooooo Google,

I'm looking for DVD-creating software for Windows that's comparable to
DVD Studio Pro for the Mac.  I've heard the contenders are:

Impression DVD-Pro by Pinnacle Systems
DVDit! PE 2.5, ReelDVD 3.0, and Scenarist by Sonic Solutions
Vegas Video by Sonic Foundry

Which one of these is best?  2nd?  3rd?  Any other ones you recommend?
I have Windows Me, but I'm considering an upgrade to XP.

Thanks!

ed

When talking about DVD Authoring Software, DVD Maestro is the first
choice for most people.  It is one of the most powerful authoring
softwares (like Scenarist) but much simpler to use.  You can add
multiple audio tracks, multiple subtitles, create your own menus, etc.

The 2nd choice could probably be Scenarist, but its cost is way too
high and i'ts a lot more difficult to use.

The 3rd choice could be Spruce DVD Maestro or ULead DVD Work Shop. 
These are easy to use but only allow 1 audio track and no subtitle
tracks.  Menus are very easy to create using both of these softwares. 
DVD It P.E. is a very easy program to use, but not as versatile as DVD
Maestro.

You can find all the information you need (and fully organized) in

www.doom9.org

You can click in "The Guides" section, then on "DVD and MiniDVD", then
on DVD Authoring Guides.  There they explain each of these authoring
programs, and how to create a DVD from scratch using each.  They also
tell you how much each program costs.

You can also use the doom9 forum clicking on "forum" inside the doom9
site.  This is an EXTREMELY USEFUL forum for any questions you have.
It even has a section on DVD authoring, so you can learn fast inside.

That's all!

excellent resource!!  Thank you cerebro!  Funny though, I never
received an email that it was answered.....  I just happened to be
checking my account and noticed it was.

I dont have enough experience with dvd programs to provide a
definitive solution, but some valuable information on the uses of
these programs is available at vcdhelp.com, which makes several
references in its "how to"'s to dvd-it and occasionally to reel dvd,
which would lead me to believe they probably have more features than
some of the others. In addition, they are an invaluable resource for
finding out exactly what programs you need for what video editing
tasks, and what freeware programs are available to do some of them as
well.

As a last note, using any operating system other than windows me is a
big improvement. Windows Xp is pretty good, but I personally prefer
windows 2000 since its less of a resource hog. But, moving from
windows me to either of these platforms will be a great improvement in
reliability and features.