For PC, a barebones but sufficient one if you want something really simple is DVD Studio Factory from ULead. (about $50 or so).
ULead also has several other versions of MediaStudio Pro, Sonic Solutions has DVDit! and Pinnacle has Pinnacle Express and Impression DVD-Pro.

A significant step up is Avid Express DV (about $1000), but has anything a non-professional would want for editing from DV.

For editing, many of these programs have limited or not-so-limited editing abilities. And another program, just for editing is Adobe Premiere.

I've only used the iDVD and DVD Studio Pro for Mac, and Media Studio Pro, all of which were fine, but at different price points depending on how easy and fancy you want to get.

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J.

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Otherwise if you want to configure your own PC here are a few lists for you. If you want a free basic editing solution check out Microsoft Movie Maker. But just about every computer store has complete editing and DVD solutions at very reasonably prices

http://www.ezdvdadvisor.com/public/department223.cfm - list of DV editing and DVD solutions - almost all of the manufactures have DV editing solution too

http://user850490.wx8.registeredsite.com/features/dvdfaq.asp - Introductory DVD Authoring FAQ

http://www.dvddemystified.com/dvdfaq.html - everything you ever wanted to know about DVD

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First off, do you have a PC or a MAC? If you have a PC, I can lend you lots of advice. Which DVD burner do you have? Did it come bundled with any software?

Let me know and I'll try to help.

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Apple machines comes with some decent tools preinstalled.
You may also look at DVDR Help.com

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Cal444
Somewhere

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Yes, I've heard nothing but good things about the Pinnacle line as far as internal software goes. That looks like your best bet in that area right now.

However, I get a lot of feedback from fellow film fans wondering why they can't find a good EXTERNAL burner for transfering camcorder material and VHS video material to DVD.

After having read about a hundred reviews on stand-alone video to DVD burners, the picture (literally) doesn't look good:

I say this because the ones putting out the most recorders in the field (Philips and Panasonic, but strangely not much by Sony) seem to be rife with many glitches, mainly including the following:

1) Problems due to units designed only to replace VCRs for recording TV shows.

2) Units suddenly stopping part way through burning the disk.

3) Burned disks that play okay in host DVD players but can't be read by other players.

4) Disks unable to properly finalize after disk burning sessions.

5) Burners working great for exactly one month and then dropping dead like clockwork, etc., etc.

So my conclusion on external units, at least, is to wait until next year - maybe they'll have their act together by 2004. (Maybe Pinnacle will also get into stand-alones?)

But right now it's not worth $500 to only be able to warm up a bunch of coasters for your drinks.

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DV Capturing with VV works good here.

-- Snowman

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