Well, just a few little things ... I've been a Sonic Foundry user for almost 7 years at this point, and I can tell when an update is needed :) I've had DVDA 2 hang at startup a few times, I've had it nearly hang when importing large files ... My computer is configured properly so stuff like that shouldn't be happening. I also don't like the way it takes the volume name from the previous project when burning, it should either allow you to enter the volume name in the actual application or just default to untitled. The one really glaring oversight is the lack of DLT export, which (I think) is an easy fix, as lots of even crappy DVD authoring programs let you do that ... dual-layer support is much harder, but I really hope that comes along in DVDA 2 at some point without having to wait for v. 3.

I've read at least one thread in which a Sony rep said that the size estimate issue is difficult to remedy. (I'm not saying whether it is or it isn't -- just that this is the consensus among the people actually writing the software.) So I wouldn't expect to see it fixed in an update anytime soon. Maybe if they have a breakthrough, it'll be fixed in a much later update or in another release, but I wouldn't hold my breath if I were you.

Rob

Well...I can't speak to DLT Export since I don't have a need to use this feature yet.

I too have been a Sonic Foundry user (I've been on board for closer to 10 years). I don't know if that qualifies me to b able to tell when an update is needed or not - but I don't seem to see the other problems you are listing.

Even with DVDA1 the application never hang. And I import very larg files ... and my system isn't the best - and conciously my system isn't configured as good as it should be (I just rebuilt it and havent gotten around to all my tweaks yet).

But still.....Havent had any problem to speak of in regards to performance.

As for the volume name staying from the last burn....eh, it's a thing. I don't know if that qualifies for an update or if it is just a thing.

Some people may condider this a good thing. I know when I'm burning DVDs, I tend to only use Architect to burn them. And I would typically burn more than one copy of the DVD over a few days period. So keeping the name is actually a good thing. So...., IMHO it's a thing.

I can easily change the name prior to burning. It's just a step in the production proces. But ... dont' get me wrong ... I can see how it can be a 'not good thing' for others.

That "size estimate is difficult to remedy" is the kind of thing you get from an engineer when he/she doesn't want to fix the problem.

I am sure it is not trivial, but I am equally sure (I have an engineering degree) that better estimates would not take man-months to create. By way of example, just this morning I did a prepare which got to 80% complete in exactly five seconds, and then took another twenty minutes to complete (this is not an exaggeration; those are actual measurements). How bad is that? Obviously the estimate is being done based on the number of files prepared, and it prepared the VIDEO_TS.* files and the IFO and BUP files in virtually no time, and then started cranking on the main VOB file.

Let's see ... It already estimated that the project would be 102% of a full DVD (another bogus estimate, but we'll leave that one aside for now). I've just prepared seven of the eight files, and their total size is 20 megabytes. Now, 20 megabytes is what percentage of 4480 megabytes? 80%? No? Gee, maybe there is a better way to do this ...

As for crashes, I have not had crashes, but the program continues to "take over" my computer. I am typing this on a laptop during a DVDA prepare operation because that program hogs every possible resource and completely locks up the disk system. I cannot use any other program when DVDA is running (on a 2.8 GHz P4 system). By contrast, I can have two instances of Vegas rendering simultaneously and a third editing, and I can still open a browser or my mail program and do useful work, with a reasonably responsive system. No other program takes over my computer like DVDA.

I own Sound Forge, the Noise Reduction Plugin, two copies of Vegas and DVDA, ACID, and ScreenBlast (plus an old copy of VideoFactory). I know what these engineers can do. They obviously finally got some of the "A" team on board with DVDA 2.0, because the feature set and well-designed UI took some real expertise and innovative minds. However, the underlying engine is still very gimpy -- slow, resource hog, compatibility problems with various drives, burning bugs (only burns at 1x on some Pioneer drives), etc.

Every company needs to decide on a product release schedule "philosophy." Some like to get bug fixes out quickly. Nero, for instance, is patched several times a month. During the "browser wars," both Microsoft and Netscape released entire new browsers several times a year. The downside to this is that you can't do as much "regression testing" to guard against introducing new bugs during the patch process. However, this is where good engineering management, that really understands the architecture of the system, can really earn their salary. Some changes are not very likely to destabilize the entire system. Such changes would probably include fixes for particular drives. I would suggest that Sony consider having both major and minor bug releases, and let users get fixes to some of the problems quickly, if those fixes are unlikely to need full regression testing.

Just a thought (or two).

I'm not saying that it's a buggy piece of software that crashes ... but the size and time estimation thing is an obvious error that happens with almost every project. When I add a 4.0 GB file and it tells me my project is 4.6 GB, um ... you know.

I've had a few small hangs with Vegas 5 on vidcap that I did not have with Vegas 4 on the same machine. Again, it's not massive crashing, but it's the kind of thing that falls into the category of "not quite right" that I bet will be fixed with the next update.

One of the greatest things this software does allow is 24-bit/96 kHz WAV input, which some other programs have been slow to implement.

I have been a customer for 5 years. I am leaning on the side of glass is half empty right now, myself.

I get a lack of resources error when I attempt to run DVDarch 2.0. However, both DVDarch 1.0, Vegas 4.0, and Vegas 5.0 run fine.

And when I attempted to install the Vegas 5.0 update, the install window hangs while deleting the installation files.

I am pretty confident it is not my system since both previous versions of the products run fine. I have checked all system resources and everything seems to be fine. I am running a 1GHZ P3 and Windows 2000.

Besides, some of the problems posted on this web site seem to be new and basic problems and not seen in the previous versions of the software, e.g., pioneer a05 can only burn at 1x -- burned fine at 2x under DVD arch 1.0.

It is like they "re-invented the wheel" and completely redesigned the software.

If I am not able to have the problems fixed, I may return the disks and ask for a refund.

I would agree, but be aware there is a very limited period of time that your program warranty would give you a shot at a refund.

I have to add that a 4 gig project is registering at 5 gig or 106% of my DVDR.

This is unacceptable and the software is not a professional product.

I just rendered out of Cinema Craft encoder SP from my Avid project.
This time I selected very high bit rate 8,000 per second.

I have some CGI and I needed the HIGHEST quality! I used a bit rate calculator to estimate the size of my project to be under 4.5 gigs so I can fit my Logos, Menus and also my AC3 Dolby audio on my disk.

Well guess what. After 5 renderings *Some taking 6 hours at high quality with CCE*
I went from 4.5 gig, to 4.3 gig, to 4.0 gig, to 3.7 gig.

ALL were showing up as 5 gig in DVD architect. I thought about uninstalling and reinstalling, but I decided to just leave it uninstalled.

I moved the mpg out my folder thinking a rouge file was telling the system a wrong size, I renamed the file. I did everything I could think of!

Also my project is letterbox and Dvd architect was somehow making it 4:3 “TV” set over and over. I had to delete the sfvx files and restart and move the files around rename or it went to the sfvx file and trashed my 16:9 resolutions.

One thing I might add! I did finish a project with Vegas 4 and DVD architect 1 with good results! But as I have a paying customer that is asking for the $2000 Codec in Cinema craft encoder I can not take advantage of the easy of use of Vegas and I had to use Avid and CCE and not Just Vegas and DVD architect.

I don’t understand why other companies have size issues.
In a pro environment, you need to be able to move things around! From avid to FCP to Vegas or ? Nero? LOL…

Perhaps I might reinstall DVD architect one and re burn?

Anyone think this is a Dot net framework issue?
WTF is that all about?

I will look for an upgrade but today I downgrade.
*This is not a flame* Im just telling you after a couple of days of this size issue, I quit!

This is depressing. I jump on this forum to pick up tips so I can jump on the new software and all I'm reading about are problems.

I don't have DVDA-1 to jump back to. Is this really a software that needs an update in order to be useable? If so, what is another reliable software that I can use in the meantime?

Thomas

I use it just fine.

Rob

DVD Workshop. there is 30 day trial

Sorry to hear Mahesh say that: DVD Workshop. I've tried it and like the french say, il ne sert à rien, I mean, don't waste your time with DVD Workshop! Yet, I still don't know why so many people complain about minor bugs. All I could say is that SONY for certain, will fix them as soon as possible. Those minor bugs are just "minor bugs". They have been discussed around here and they do not affect productivity or the final result at all.
Anyway, DVD Architect 2.0 is a great software, much better than any other (that of course includes DVD Workshop). I'd even go much farther saying positively that DVD Architect is following Maestro and Scenarist, without the inconveniences of both Maestro and Scenarist. DVD Architect's final results are pro. If you are a home user, a serious hobbyist or even a pro running a small business, DVD Architect, in my opinion, is a must. If you don't believe me, try making menus with Photoshop and then setting the whole project with Maestro or Scenarist. DVD Workshop? Don't waste your time with that. Just forget it.

Cunhambebe.
I only wish the answer was wait for next update on DVDA2. I was replying to thomaskay who said "This is depressing. I jump on this forum to pick up tips so I can jump on the new software and all I'm reading about are problems. I don't have DVDA-1 to jump back to. Is this really a software that needs an update in order to be useable? If so, what is another reliable software that I can use in the meantime?"
All I say is DVDA2 needs an major update to be universally reliable. I have used DVDWS for 2 years. When I send a DVD out to a client, I know it will work the way I authored it. I have authored 100's of DVDs. Not a single coaster.
I accept DVDA2 will be a great software when finished, at the moment I do not have confidence in authoring on that platform.

Regards

Mahesh

Mahesh,
First of all, I'd like to apologize if you found my message a little offensive. Now, if I understood, you said you're a pro (you've got some clients). Good. One more reason to change to DVDA 2.0. Want an example? Does DVD Workshop support AC-3 files and subtitles? Well, this could be one reason to keep using DVD Architect 2.0 instead.
On the other hand, I still don't understand why you seem to have said DVD Architect is not universal. There might be some players that don't accept DVDs authored by DVDA. Might be some. Are there so many? How many?
:)

Ok,

>One more reason to change to DVDA 2.0. Want an example? Does DVD >Workshop support AC-3 files and subtitles? Well, this could be one reason >to keep using DVD Architect 2.0 instead.

Since we are talking about DVDA version 2, then we should compared to DVDWS version 2 (fair) - YES, YES, YES. DVDWS v2 has ALL the feature of DVDA-2 and MORE. But the best thing is that it's VERY, VERY user-friendly without compromise any professional features. And by the way, NO annoying bugs either.


>On the other hand, I still don't understand why you seem to have said DVD >Architect is not universal. There might be some players that don't accept >DVDs authored by DVDA. Might be some. Are there so many? How many?

Ok, DVDA-1 doesn't has any "professional features" that allow us to be creative to make a nice looking menu. On the other hand, DVDA-2 is full of BUGs and hence is un-realiable.

DVD workshop 2 DOES handle AC-3 (only 2.0, though) and subtitles, it also burns DVD's, something that DVDA2 seems to have lots of problems with.

DVD workshop 2 does lots of things MUCH easier and more intuitively than DVDA2. Custom menus and buttons are 1000 times easier with DVDWS. No "end actions" in DVDWS. Instead, you create playlists, which you can assign to anything you can place on a menu - THAT's customization. No having to flip through properties pages for each object.

You can't even adjust volume properties in DVDA2 - something that's accomplished quite easily with DVDWS2.

Want a PLAY ALL button? Just add one and it automatically adds the play all feature to the project. How do you accomplish this with DVDA2? You don't, at least not so easily.

The only thing DVDA2 has going for it is handling of chapter points. It's much easier to just click on the timeline. It's also better at motion buttons, in that you can assign the starting point for each video in the buttons.

Other than that, I'm glad I purchased DVDWS2, and I'm really sorry I purchased DVDA2.

Cunhambebe
No I did not find your reply offensive.
With DVDWS and being in PAL domain, I do not need to do AC-3 at the moment. IF I upgrade to DVDWS2 then ofcourse I will be able to do AC-3 and sub titles. But for now, I just render my MPEG2, drag in to DVDWS and audio is taken with the video.
Main reason I bought DVDA (rather than upgrading DVDWS) was because I bought VEGAS 5. Lure of exporting chapter point was the deciding factor. Comparing the differences in build quality of VV5 and DVDA2 chalk and cheese springs to mind.

Here is what DVDWS does and I am sure DVDA2 can do it.
You lay out text-only buttons in menu. ( You can do thumb nails but I do not use them)
Drag and drop chapter points on the text-only buttons.
Copy and paste attributes from one button to all the other buttons ( just like V5).
Burn to DVD without recompressing audio.

And finally, if anti flicker filter is enabled, the DVD will have rock solid menus. No flicker- no jitter - no mottle.

I do not want to pay for an upgrade to DVDWS 2.0. I would like DVDA to work. I am hoping someone out there is listening to what some of us are saying.

babyboy0:
Would you swith back to DVDA2 if some of the short comings were addressed?

Regards
Mahesh

OK, DVD WS2 can handle AC-3 and Subtitles, but as far as I know the software comes without the AC-3 feature. That means you have to pay a little bit more to have access to that feature. Furthermore, a lot of people are complaining at www.videohelp.com. So I guess DVD WS2 is not all that heavenly applc. Let's see what people are saying: check it out at

http://www.videohelp.com/tools?toolsearch=DVD+workshop&s=&orderby=Name&convert=&dvdauthorfeatures=

"Downsides: Errors out if you put chapter points beyond 80% of a 23.97fps source, and you can't simply select which part of a video will be your motion thumbnail, because the only option is to play it from the beginning. Specialist pointed out that you could make another file of the segment of your choice and use that, but it's a cumbersome extra step. On the other hand, if you want a still with audio background in TMPGEnc DVD Author, you have to produce that as an extra file too, and calculate and type in the audio duration by hand, so that's cumbersome too."

"I would rate this program higher if it included:
1. AC-3 included in original price.
2. Easier drag and drop video file selection including easier audio file replacement selection.
3. Easier chapter selection.
4. Better real time testing before creating output.
5. Better chapter/movie picture replacement."


I tested the DVDWS 1.0 along with DVDA 1.0. My conclusion was: DVDA1.0 was much better and easy to use, with final results that had that pro look. I know DVD WS2 can be a great software. I might try it, use it, get addict to it and even post a new topic as soon as possible. For DVDA2.0, I still found it the best software of its kind. On the other hand, it's important to notice that if people around here have a crush on DVD WS2, their opinions may be considered very personal and should then be absolutely discarded.
:)

babyboy0,
You've said that:
"DVD workshop 2 DOES handle AC-3 (only 2.0, though) and subtitles, it also burns DVD's, something that DVDA2 seems to have lots of problems with."

In fact DVDA 2.0 handles both AC-3 (DVDA1.0 already did it) and subtitles and I have no problem at all with them nor even burning DVD's (I've burned more than 50 DVDs with it - no problem was detected). DVDA2 can also import subtitles from apllcs such as Subtitle Workshop and even export its own generated subtitles. Could you please tell me why DVDA2 "seem" to have lots of problems with these features?

Guys,

No need to flame each other wheter is best DVDA-2 or DVDWS-2. If you want to know which app has more/better features then why don't read the web site.

DVDA-2 owner, please don't live in denial and must face the truth that DVDA-2 is a half-bake product with many annoying bugs (there are ways to work around some of the bugs, but they are bugs nontheless). I am a regular user of DVDA-1 and pretty excited when DVDA-2 is released. But my excitement become frustration due to BUGs and now I'm moving back to DVDA-1 for real production. I also use DVDWS 1.2 (1.3) and trial play DVDWS v2 and the truth is that DVDWS v2 is a feature rich, much stable, very user-friendly. Either one of DVDA-2 or DVDWS v2 is perfect but you need to look at the big picture - is the program bug free (in a way) and the main thing is DOES IT HELP YOU TO DO WHAT EVER YOU WANT IN A EASIER and IN LITTLE AS POSSIBLE. If the program is filled with features but doesn't help you at all then it's just use less (ex: Microsoft feature rich Office apps).

From what I see, DVDA-2 right now CAN NOT compete with the like of DVDWS v2 (or most of other "semi-prof" authoring app). The program is on the right path to become one of the "best" (especially it work so well along with VEGAS), but the thing killing it are BUGs, BUGs, and BUGs. This doesn't help SONY at all, the faster they fix the BUGs, the better for them and would earn trust in current DVDA user and gain new users.

So, if you like DVDA-2 then please don't try to defend and denial of any wrong with the program. Don't praise it "the greatest" when it is not !!! You don't help it to become a better one at all !!!!

DVD Workshop 2 DOES inlude the AC-3 as part of the purchase price. It WAS a seperate option in DVDWS version 1, but IS inlcuded in DVDWS2.

I didn't say DVDWS was a "heavenly" app, and I DID point out that DVDA2 allows specifying motion button while DVDWS2 does not.

A lot of people may complain about DVDWS2, but hey, look around here at all the complaints about DVDA (both 1 and 2).

When I installed DVDA2, I could not burn ANY DVD's, except +RW at 2x. I have a TDK +-8X burner which worked fine in DVDA1. Why not in DVDA2? It was ony after complaining so long, and responding rather nastilty to the tech support emails, that they sent me the patch files to get DVDA2 working with my burner - along with their "apologies for being so patient".

People always have their preferences, and I was not trying to start a flame war. I am simply stating facts. For me, anyway, DVDWS2 WORKS-PERIOD. And it's a lot more user-friendly than DVDA2. And, while I'm not too keen on U-Lead's support, they DO issue patches when problems arise.

I don't recall saying DVDA2 had problems with AC-3 or subtitles. I DID say that DVDA2 has problems burning DVD's, for me anyway, among many others in here.

I posted a few threads some time back about not being able to burn DVD with DVDA2, where DVDA1 burned just fine.

DVDA2 did not even recognize I had a burner when I had any type of - disc in the drive (-R and -RW). If I tried to burn to a +R disc, it would go through the entire process and fail in the lead-out with a "no sense" error, rendering the DVD useless and unreadable anywhere. My only option was to burn on a +RW at 2X, which was rather annoying. For a time I was just using DVDA2 to create the layout, and I used Nero (YES, NERO - Don't knock it! It works) to burn the project.

The responses here gave me no glimmer of hope. I emaild tech support and waited 4 days to get a response which had absolutely NOTHING to do with my problem. I was livid, so I sent back a rather nasty email alerting the tech supoort prson that they obviously did not read my original request.

Then someone responded, who was apologetic, and very nice - he even took the time to call me (I was not home). But he sent me the patch files for burning, and explained what to do. After installing the patch files, burning now works in DVDA2.