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dhoward · Posted: Fri May 20, 2011 11:02 am Post subject: Windows 7 and DVD Authoring

I will be getting a new computer in a week or so and will have to migrate my software. My present machine uses XP and the new one is Win 7 64 bits. I have been using Roxio's DVDit to author my DVD's after creating the slideshows with the 3D Album commercial suite. With Dvdit I would import several slideshows and control how each show would finish. I could make the first play slideshow play all the other shows in sequence and then create a second menu screen where the user could click on each slideshows icon and play only that one and have it return to the menu where the user could select another slideshow. This way the user could either play all slide shows as one continuous movie or select individual ones to watch without going all the way thru all the others. DVDit is not Windows 7 compatible. Does anyone know of another program that has this kind of feature and is Win 7 compatible. I have been experimenting with PowerProducer but the above feature is missing. It only allows one of the above options and not both.

rsnow · Posted: Fri May 20, 2011 4:15 pm Post subject:

I haven't kept up with the changes but when I was using Pinnacle Studio with W2K and XP it would do those things. I could create multiple points where the show would revert back to the menu and allow the user to pick which chapter (slide show) or segment they wanted to watch. I'm sure their newest version would be compatible with W7. You might want to check out their web site. I don't have their url but you can just google Pinnacle Studio.

dhoward · Posted: Sun May 22, 2011 10:20 am Post subject:

I have downloaded the latest version of pinnacle studio ultimate v.15. It took me a little while to figure out how to do what I wanted but it looks like I can do it. One thing I noticed is that my present computer has to struggle with it as I think it is underpowered. Got a meesage about heavy processor usage and some pixallation when I made a test DVD. The new machine with an Intel 2nd generation I5 and 8 gigs of ram should have no problem. The version I have is a fully functional trial version good for a 30 day eval. So I wil keep playing with it to learn it's features. Thank you for your suggestion.

rsnow · Posted: Sun May 22, 2011 3:02 pm Post subject:

Are you using onboard graphics or do you have a graphics card installed?

dhoward · Posted: Mon May 23, 2011 9:55 am Post subject:

No, I have an Nvidia GEforce 8500GT, with 256Mb of graphic memory, Video card installed. I only have 2gig of RAM though.

rsnow · Posted: Thu May 26, 2011 4:38 pm Post subject:

Will your MB handle more RAM? I am limiited to 3GB on mine because I am still using XP. So, yes I would recommend more RAM but also I personally would go with a minimum of 512MB graphic card for video work.

dhoward · Posted: Fri May 27, 2011 11:52 am Post subject:

I am replacing the computer so it is not an issue with upgrading the memory. The new one, which is to be delivered via UPS today, has 8 gigabytes of RAM and 1 Gigabytes of video RAM. It also has an Intel I5-2500K microprocessor so it is light years ahead of my present system.

rsnow · Posted: Sat May 28, 2011 8:22 pm Post subject:

It sounds like you have a winner. What kind (brand) and where did you buy it?

dhoward · Posted: Mon May 30, 2011 2:17 pm Post subject:

I bought it from a company called Velocity Micro. They are one of the boutique computer manufacturers. It is classified as a gaming machine but it is just fast for any application I have. It came last Friday and I have been busy migrating all of my stuff from the XP machine to the new one. It is a lot of work but it is enjoyable to me. I am giving my old one to a family member after I clear all my personal info off of it.

rsnow · Posted: Tue May 31, 2011 11:55 am Post subject:

Thanks, I'll give them a look see.

dhoward · Posted: Tue May 31, 2011 12:54 pm Post subject:

The particular model I purchased is the Edge Z40. After five days I have no regrets about buying from them. Thus far I recommend them. Their build quality is excellent.

dhoward · Posted: Thu Jun 02, 2011 8:27 pm Post subject:

rsnow I have experienced an unexpected problem with Pinnacle Studio Ultimate 15. My DVD's will not play on a Panasonic Model DVD. I tried them on two different models. They play fine on Toshiba and a Sony standalone. Troubleshooting the problem indicates it is the menu's I created with the S/W. When I remove the menu's the DVD plays fine. Avid's tech support says to try DVD+R discs. I have nothing but -R and have used them without problems for several years. The -R are supposed to be more compatible with most mfg. The menu's are important to my projects. Have you run into this with Avid? I will purchase a +R but now I am worried about playback in different manufacturers. I never experienced this problem with Dvdit. All my trials were on a Sony. I never thought about Panasonic players since it had always been a non issue.

rsnow · Posted: Sat Jun 04, 2011 4:27 pm Post subject:

Sorry, I can't speak about version 15 as I am still using 9 on XP. Also, I use Ulead Studio 12. I have used both -R and +R discs and to my knowledge have not had problems playing either. As to player brands, I use Sony and Philips. Both seem to work with whatever I produce using either Pinnacle or Ulead. I have not had any complaints from others for whom I have made videos. I don't know what brand(s) of players they use.

Your problem is one reason I am reluctant to upgrade - the old saying "If it ain't broke...." I think I would like to have the extra power and speed but I don't want to buy a lot of new software. Which is the reason that if I do upgrade to Windows 7, I will go with the Professional version so I can have the ability to use my XP software. Of course it might be better for me to wait until Windows 8 comes out so I can use my fingers on the monitor screen and get it all smudgy. Personally I am tired of trying to keep up with the new techno toys.

dhoward · Posted: Sun Jun 05, 2011 1:36 pm Post subject:

I did a little more research on this program...belatedly. It seems this menu problem developed in version 14 and was never corrected. As I said earlier the dvd's work with Sony and Toshiba and not Panasonic. The project I am doing has a quantity of 20 people. How many brands of standalone DVD players that is is an unknown. I cannot risk some of them not playing so I have to take the less risky route and not have any menus. The project is still fine but I do like the option of menus for replaying. I will keep digging and maybe I can find a work around. Thank you for your help.

rsnow · Posted: Sun Jun 05, 2011 1:51 pm Post subject:

Well, I wasn't really that much help. I'm sure there are some video editing programs that would solve the problem but finding the right one may take a while and also it may be you would have to go with one of the more expensive ones.

This site will give you a list of what's available.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_video_editing_software