Essential and Useful DVD-Video authoring and re-editing tools

I re-author and create many DVD-Videos for myself from MPG2 video streams from DVD-VR using TMPGEnc v4.0 Xpress using a multitude of applications including

Here is a few ways I create front end DVD menus for several of these programs.

• TMPGEnc v4.0 Xpress, by Pegasys, famed as Nothing Else Comes Close ! it is a development of the original Tsunami Encoder TMPEG Net version that most thought was the only way to convert just about any media format including Quicktime and DivX to just about anything else.
  
• ConvertXtoDVD, by VSO Software, for creating DVD-video with menus from just about any media file format even VBR AC3 audio correction on MPG4 video streams for compatibilty with many standalone DVD players that require it for synchronized playback, the free version was called DivXtoDVD it also included the first ever Patin Coffin Lowe Level Driver
  
• CloneDVD2, by Slysoft used with AnyDVD for CSS removal you can remove unwanted titlesets and if segmented vobs are used the scissor tool can be used to remove parts within
  
• DVDRemake Pro, by Dimadsoft FREE with Trial pay, for combining DVD-Videos and editing existing title set and menus with the use of Muxman
• AutoGordianKnot, by lenOX it is THE tool for DivX / XviD backup with support of DVD, MPEG2 (such as DVB captures and transport streams), it requires DVD Decrypter in IFO mode and if required the DivX v6.9.2 Codec, the FREE libavcodec XVid is included in the bundled along with AVISynth, VirtualDubMod, VOBSub, DGMPGDec, DTSDe and the LAME MP3 codec
  

Here is a list of Essential and useful tools for all budding DVD authors and re-authors out there with a list a useful tools for the more experienced.

• Essential tools
  • DVD Decrypter, by Lightning UK! Though discontinued, it is still the best ripper around. However, it cannot process some of the recently protected DVDs
  • AnyDVD, by Slysoft that is constantly updated with almost all the tricks up its sleeve to allow you to backup your DVD-Video collection also with anyDVD HD support
  • DVDFab HD Decrypter, by DVDFab and its FREE
    
  • MenuShrink, by Jeanl. Use it to convert your DVD menus to still frames, and regain disc space.
  • DVD Shrink (download link) Still one of the best DVD compressor around!
  • ImgBurn, by Lightning UK! Simply the best ISO burning tool with AWS and I/O Interface selection VOB (Pinnacle) ASAPI, Adaptec ASPI, Nero ASPI, VSO Patin-Couffin, ElbyCDIO from Slysoft and Microsoft's own default STPI
    
  
  
• Useful tools
  • PGCDemux, by Jsoto. One of the best DVD demultiplexers to split program chains
    
  • Muxman, by Mpucoder. The best DVD multiplexer, also used with DVDRemake Pro to create still stock DVD menus from 16bit bitmaps only
    
  • MenuEdit by Dimadsoft, it is the predecessor of DVDRemake and DVDRemake Pro, but is still the tool for fast DVD menu fixes.
  • TitleWriter, Specifically designed for DVDShrink re-authored mode Compiliations
  • DVDStyler, by Alex Thüfring. to create your own menus can be imported as a stock menu into DVDRMKP
    
  • PGCEdit ,by r0lZ famed as the Swiss Army Knife of DVD video editing, there is no installer so place the plugins folder and exe file in C:Program FilesPGCEdit this is a requirement for Rapid Menu Writer
    
  • Rapid Menu Writer, from Autoitscripts can be used include: adding a menu to a DVD merged by DVDFab or adding a menu to a DVD re-authored by DVDShrink. Requires pre-installation of PGCEdit (v8.5, 8.6 or 9.2) and DVDStyler v1.7.2 and the selection of the source files in the VIDEO_TS folder from DVDShrink or DVDFab
    
  • IfoEdit and VobEdit, by Derrow. Powerful IFO and VOB monitors, now discontinued. Not for beginners!
  • VobMerge, by EvilMaster a tool for merging several VOB files into one file. This is useful for seamless playback or editing of DVD video on your hard drive
  • VobBlanker, by Jsoto. Handy to remove unwanted material from your DVD.
  • DVDSubEdit, by Jeanl. Modify your subtitles without having to demux and remux the VOB files!
  • FixVTS, by Jeanl. Use it to normalize a badly authored VOB or DVD.
  • DVTool, by Dirk anothe Swiss Army knife for digital video and DVD, cut, join VOB and an advanced bitrate calculators.
  • Mediainfo ,by supplies technical and tag information about a video or audio file.It is FREE software
  • G-Spot ,by Headbands similar to Mediainfo but it is my tool of choice due to its layout and ease of media file inspection for VBR and CBR audio files.
    

There are a few that I have missed off you will find the tool that works best for you and in what task you are attempting to complete. Also check out this great site for PAL and NTSC I couldn't say it better myself

http://www.michaeldvd.com.au/articles/palvsntsc/palvsntsc.asp

Also check out my tip HERE for adding stock menus to DVDRMKP and Muxman

Read more tips from Owen Stephen Dawson