DVD Authoring Under Linux? 427
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."
Damn. I should've phrased my question better- (Score:3, Insightful)
Frankly the best I've seen is for the Macintosh, which is unfortunate due to my high investment in PC hardware.
I currently make wedding 'dvds' from photographs using Studio 8.1 and, recently, have been experimenting making AVIs and converting them to MPGs. Just doesn't work well tho.
Sigh (Score:1, Insightful)
stop with the mac comments (Score:5, Insightful)
mark me as -1 troll, but I get tired of this sort of thing on slashdot. He did not ask about what operating system would be best for dvd authoring, he's just looking for some software that'll work with his current OS.
Re:Unfortunately (Score:4, Insightful)
But if the question is "I want to do better authoring under Linux, or Windows if I have to" then "get a Mac" is a piss poor answer to the question, and only serves annoy the person asking the question. As such, it probably DESERVES to be modded down, especially when its the 4th or 5th such answer given.
Re:"Prosumer" (Score:3, Insightful)
It's the level of equipment that, say, most wedding video producers use.
Re:There's no OSS to do [activity of interest] (Score:5, Insightful)
Personally, I think the OSS community could do a great job on DVD authoring (having been personally impressed with Blender). But first? They'd need to have money to pay all them developers. DVD Authoring is not some piddlyshit task. It will require a devoted team to create a cohesive interface that will attract DVD creators from all walks of life. And to acheive this, might I suggest *gasp* paying the team? Set up a foundation. Take pledges and donations. Give money to the guys who make the software.
Somebody's got to be willing to do business. Otherwise, OSS really is nothing more than "free toys." Come on, guys, the ACLU does alright for itself...why not create an FSF that actually does something MORE than advocacy?
Too expensive (Score:2, Insightful)
The original poster wanted a solution available for purchase for less than 800 USD.
Re:DVD authoring (Score:2, Insightful)
iDVD is $800 and comes with a free Mac. $800 makes the original poster's check bounce.
Re:stop with the mac comments (Score:4, Insightful)
Do you realize people are not telling him to change operating systems? They're saying the best solutions are iDVD and DVD Studio Pro, which just happen to run only on the Mac.
I know what you're saying, but they're not telling him to switch to Mac because it's a better operating system, they're telling him to switch because these applications are only available on Mac.
Re:sorry for more of the obvious (Score:3, Insightful)
However, there's a useful point buried there, in that someone should look hard at iDVD and make a kDVD or such. I'm a DVD Studio Pro user, wonderfully fast & powerful tool, but the other day I decided to try out iDVD, and without a manual, in under 20 minutes I had a very unique and nice looking project burning. A simple project, that's why I wanted to use the 'free-as-in-loss-leader' stuff, but the main menu had a mixture of looping video buttons and audio, with slick fonts and layout. It was effortless, drag, drop, double click, select popups, all obvious from the interface.
I think that a good start for a Linux project would be to emulate iDVD, not Studio Pro. 'Q' DVD-Author is just a long ways off.
One thing that Apple has going for it in this respect is the flexibility of Quicktime, and a great team of designers to lay out templates. Getting the equivalent going in Linux will be tough.
Re:Unfortunately (Score:3, Insightful)
Looks like the same goes for DVD production. If you are planning on making money via DVD production, you have to get the right tool for the job. Holding out for something that'll run on your current rig doesn't always work.
Re:sorry for more of the obvious (Score:2, Insightful)
Not trying to flame or troll, but I mean, seriously, if you posted asking about a software solution for your Mac and people started posting about all sorts of Windows and Linux software, wouldn't you be annoyed? Why is it that Mac people feel compelled to do this all the time? =)
Because we've been on the other side of the stick so often. Heres an example Ask Slashdot: "I'm a Mac user, what games do you recommend? I especially like MMORPG and First Person Shooters. Thanks!" How many responses would we get that would start like "well, it doesn't run on a Mac, but I sure enjoyed playing foo".
So, when you ask about how to pound in a nail with a screwdriver, we just want to leap up and say "See! My computing choice really is defensible!" That's why. To answer your question.
Re:This thread required under the DMCA... (Score:4, Insightful)
There is a huge difference. Look at your DVD of The Matrix and all the cool menu formats and extra features, like the ability to listen to the commentary. These are things that are needed for a good DVD authoring program.
K3B is a good program (I use it a lot), but to say that it helps for DVD authoring is like someone with a pencil saying he can print and publish a book.
The mac comments come for a reason (Score:4, Insightful)
I use Windows on a day-to-day basis, but I've met lots of people who swear by iMovie, FCE and FCP.
He didn't ask for OS advice, but if the poster wants to make great DVDs in as little time as possible, I've heard only positive things about one OS and a few programs.
Cause and effect (Score:3, Insightful)
No, $60 is pricey because we're all forced to take cheaper jobs since our last decent paying ones got offshored.
Re:iMovie (Score:2, Insightful)
And that's why Linux hasn't and won't catch on in the desktop market for a very long time. This is the same thing that ESR was talking about a week or so back. There seems to be a complete lack of any HCI knowledge in the open-source community. I'm trying to set up a Linux installation where I never need to use the command line, but it's nigh on impossible! This isn't meant as a troll, audio/video quality is most important, but if the average Joe is going to use Linux, he'll want his DVD menus and pretty userland configuration tools. It'd just be nice if more people would make improve the ease-of-use of packages. Anyway, I'm done ranting - back to finding a use for my last mod point.
Re:sorry for more of the obvious (Score:2, Insightful)
In a lot of countries it is illegal to download unlicensed software. In a few countries it is legal (so far) to download and use pirated software but not to distribute. Anyhow.... Many companies use the old model of reimbursement (did I use that correctly?).
If a producer/company/programmer wants to charge money for their product that is their right!
What you are saying is analogous to breaking and entering to get a computer becuse it is expensive.... If somebody gives away computer then fine but I prefer to buy the things that are for sale and not stealing them.
I love the way that Linux/*BSD et al is changing the playing field but I wouldn't go advocating getting software without following the software owners wishes.
Just my 2 cents worth (Hey... You get what you pay for and I haven't gotten anything to write this