DVD Authoring Software (Need Help)

[Steven Wagenheim]

Have a couple of questions about DVD authoring software.

First, I assume you have to have a DVD drive that can read and write.

Second, where can you get a good one from?

Third, I assume you can't use a blank CD, that you actually have to buy
DVDs. I assume there is a physical difference and not just in the formatting,
correct?

Any assistance on the above is appreciated.

And if anybody knows how to recycle Aweber messages for your subscribers,
that would help too.

Thanks.

[flnz400]

#'s 1 and 3, yes to both.

You mentioned software in your title, but in the post you're mentioning hardware...i.e. drives, etc...

Not sure which you really need. Try these for computer hardware pricing....

Newegg.com

zipzoomfly.com

maybe buy.com

[getsmartt]

Steve,

You are correct you need a DVD Burner (writer) Tiger.com (you can also check pricewatch.com) usually has some good ones on sale, Just look for brand names (Lite-on, Pioneer, Sony) they are all about the same, since there are only a handful of companies that actually make them.

Yep you need blank DVD's as well, they come in 2 basic formats +r or -r, most DVD Burners can write both and Most modern DVD players can read both so essentially go with whatever is cheaper. I would use a brand name here as well TDK or Maxell are my favorites.

Cant help on the Aweber issue, sorry

[Steven Wagenheim]

Originally Posted by getsmartt

Steve,

You are correct you need a DVD Burner (writer) Tiger.com (you can also check pricewatch.com) usually has some good ones on sale, Just look for brand names (Lite-on, Pioneer, Sony) they are all about the same, since there are only a handful of companies that actually make them.

Yep you need blank DVD's as well, they come in 2 basic formats +r or -r, most DVD Burners can write both and Most modern DVD players can read both so essentially go with whatever is cheaper. I would use a brand name here as well TDK or Maxell are my favorites.

Cant help on the Aweber issue, sorry

The DVD in my PC says it's a Lightscribe DVD Multi Recorder. I am able
to make CDs with it so can I assume it will make DVDs as well?

[getsmartt]

Originally Posted by Steven Wagenheim

The DVD in my PC says it's a Lightscribe DVD Multi Recorder. I am able
to make CDs with it so can I assume it will make DVDs as well?

Yep, and it can use either the +r or the -r DVD's

EDIT: BTW Lightscribe means that it has the ability to burn pictures on the top side of the DVD (they kind of resemble Holograms) if you buy Lightscribe compatible media.

[jonhel]

Steven,

That will be able to burn to DVDs as well. DVDs hold a lot more data than CDs.

[Steven Wagenheim]

Originally Posted by getsmartt

Yep, and it can use either the +r or the -r DVD's

Great, then all I need is the software to do it. This stupid PC doesn't come
with any, or is it built in like when I pop in a blank CD and it asks me what
I want to do with it?

[jonhel]

Windows XP (and I presume Vista, I've not seen it) has inbuilt CD authoring software but this is not suitable to burn DVDs.

You will need a package such as Nero to do this. There's lots of different software available for this task.

Jonathan

[getsmartt]

here is a sample of what lightscribe can look like.


Since you do need software I would also recommend Nero, it is the only software I use any more.

[Steven Wagenheim]

Originally Posted by jonhel

Windows XP (and I presume Vista, I've not seen it) has inbuilt CD authoring software but this is not suitable to burn DVDs.

You will need a package such as Nero to do this. There's lots of different software available for this task.

Jonathan

Jonathan, thank you so much and everybody else too.

Last question. If I want to have a company make the DVDs for me,
assuming I am going to crank out a lot, do I have to send them a master
to make them from or just the files that I want on them and in what order?

If I can avoid having to create anything myself, that would be the best
solution.

[Careygee]

Originally Posted by Steven Wagenheim

Jonathan, thank you so much and everybody else too.

Last question. If I want to have a company make the DVDs for me,
assuming I am going to crank out a lot, do I have to send them a master
to make them from or just the files that I want on them and in what order?

If I can avoid having to create anything myself, that would be the best
solution.

Steven,
With Kunaki.com. you simply create an account and send it to them
via the internet.

The procedure is to log in and have your DVD inserted into your drive.
Then you would simply click the button (in the Kunaki panel)
and the download to them is performed. I over-simplified, but it is easy.
They will send you one (1) sample for free, if requested.
You also can design your cover on their site.
Carey

[Steven Wagenheim]

Originally Posted by Careygee

Steven,
With Kunaki.com. you simply create an account and send it to them
via the internet.

The procedure is to log in and have your DVD inserted into your drive.
Then you would simply click the button (in the Kunaki panel)
and the download to them is performed. I over-simplified, but it is easy.
They will send you one (1) sample for free, if requested.
You also can design your cover on their site.
Carey

Carey, do you know what Kunaki charges per unit?

[Jeff Henshaw]

Hi Steven,

You can get all the details from their site:

Kunaki -- CD/DVD manufacturing and publishing service

Regards,
Jeff.

[Careygee]

Originally Posted by Steven Wagenheim

Carey, do you know what Kunaki charges per unit?

Currently $1.75 per Disc.
You add in whatever price you wish.
When it is ordered by your customers, they pay your
price and Kunaki deducts the $1.75 and sends you the
rest each month.

The shipping is $5.00 for one but bulk is very reasonable
if you want to stock your own inventory.
Carey

[Steven Wagenheim]

Originally Posted by Jeff Henshaw

Hi Steven,

You can get all the details from their site:

Kunaki -- CD/DVD manufacturing and publishing service

Regards,
Jeff.

Jeff, are you sure that's not a typo? $1.75 per DVD?

Wow! Talk about dirt cheap.

This sounds like a better option that making manuals and shipping them.
Put all the content on CDs and DVDs and ship them out.

I like it...Thanks.

[Jack Duncan]

Steven,
Another great company to check out is DiscMakers. Lots of folks in the music industry are aware of them...

They have some really affordable rates and some great design rates too...if you want to go with a case.

You can find them here: DVD Authoring, DVD Menu Design, Video Post Production, Color Correction, and Encoding

[Careygee]

Originally Posted by Steven Wagenheim

Jeff, are you sure that's not a typo? $1.75 per DVD?

Wow! Talk about dirt cheap.

This sounds like a better option that making manuals and shipping them.
Put all the content on CDs and DVDs and ship them out.

I like it...Thanks.

Steven,
I have been using them over a year.
I can list them on Amazon, because of the
FREE Barcode they offer.

Quote From their site:
"Full-color, glossy, fully assembled, cellophane-wrapped, retail-ready products with free UPC bar codes. We manufacture to high-quality retail specifications letting you sell your CDs and DVDs at CD-Baby, Amazon, and other retail outlets."

You WILL love their service.
Carey

[Careygee]

Originally Posted by espacecadet

I have purchased IM products burned to DVD from some Warriors who used Kunaki and I can attest that Kunaki does top-notch work. And yes, only $1.75 per DVD! (That is very low for a small run. A lot of houses won't touch anything under 5,000 pieces.)
Yes, True. They will do one run of a single CD/DVD
I'm not sure but I believe I read that they will also do the manufacturing on a set number of discs, package them for selling and ship them all to your house so you can ship them out as sales come in, if you prefer.
Yes, True. They will ship any number at your request CD/DVD
The $1.75 includes shipping/handling costs to your customers but if you prefer to do it yourself, Kunaki, I believe, offers a lower price. I might be wrong on that, but it's something to look into if you want to pack and ship yourself.
NO, Not True. The $1.75 is their set price to you for manufaturing ONLY for each CD/DVD. Shipping is separate.
I've always been a hands-on kinda guy. Having someone else take care of my business leaves me feeling uneasy. What if they say they shipped but my customer is yelling at me, wanting to know where his DVD is?

It's my rep on the line, not Kunakis, get my drift? (That's why I don't use dropshippers, either.) If I have the product sitting there in my house I can rest easier knowing I can ship the same day, and I can tell the customer the exact day it was shipped if they don't get it.

Dropshippers might run out of something and not say anything to you, and you wouldn't know until your buyers start screaming. Not good.

But Kunaki? Yes, good.

Yes, mistakes can happen, but Kunaki is very good at tracking and I can see that tracking or non-shipment.

Excellent Customer response.
Carey

[Kim Standerline]

Hi Steve

If this is in preperation for that big course you're planning on doing, you would be much better off outsourcing it to Kunaki or something similer.

Just imagine the headache of having to burn a 1000 discs, packaging them and then posting them out. (The stuff nightmares are made of)

Kim

[Steven Wagenheim]

Originally Posted by Kim Standerline

Hi Steve

If this is in preperation for that big course you're planning on doing, you would be much better off outsourcing it to Kunaki or something similer.

Just imagine the headache of having to burn a 1000 discs, packaging them and then posting them out. (The stuff nightmares are made of)

Kim

Thanks Kim. Yes, that's exactly what I'm going to do.

[David Maschke]

Hey Steve,

About the burning software, what format is your video in now?

Do you have Windows Movie Maker installed on your computer?

Dave

[David_Thompson]

This is a very timely thread I'm in the middle of doing videos for my project
and wanted to offer it to buyers as an upsell/downsell instead of downloading
or watching online get a DVD....

Keep the recommendations coming...

--David

[Steven Wagenheim]

Originally Posted by David Maschke

Hey Steve,

About the burning software, what format is your video in now?

Do you have Windows Movie Maker installed on your computer?

Dave

Dave, I use Camtasia to make my videos.

[David Maschke]

Hi Steve,

If you don't have Windows movie maker, you can turn your .avi into
dvd video, but it will take a few steps.

The first software you want to download is at:

VSO DivXtoDVD (Freeware) v0.5.2b (freeware)

That is the best I have found without spending money, and it does not create an audio/video out of sync problem that others may cause.

The second is: http://www.afterdawn.com/software/vi...dvd_shrink.cfm

The third software is : ImgBurn v2.4.2.0 (freeware)

Imgburn is also a good peice of freeware

All the software have guides on afterdawn, just read thru the pages and you'll find the links.

These are really old school software, and there are many options now in turning your avi's into dvd.

Dave