Comparison between DVD-lab Standard, Studio and DVD-lab PRO 2.0

Both Standard and PRO versions are probably the most feature rich software your money can buy in each respective category.

	DVD-lab You can call the Standard version "entry-level" version. But there is nothing really "entry-level" in it. It is a software for mature users who don't need the hand holding features of other entry-level authoring tools. That means no flashy buttons, no one-trick-pony templates, but full mature interface that allows you to create DVD structure as you need.
	DVD-lab Studio Two years after the introduction of DVD-lab we are pushing the home authoring again to the next step. Studio version fits into the requirement for mid-size DVD authoring tool that takes the no-nonsence approach of Standard version but offers some of the more advanced and requested features from our PRO version.
	DVD-lab PRO 2.0 We spend ten times more time and resources on our flagship PRO version. This is the version we always wanted to build. A full mature DVD authoring tool that offers all the features of most expensive authoring application together with easy to use and ergonomic user interface. This is first time a full featured authoring application is offered in a price range accessible for home users.
	DVD-lab PRO 2.0 EDIT SUITE Combine DVD-lab PRO with the power of Edit Studio and you have the full suite of professional tools from video capture, video editing, MPEG encoding to final DVD Authoring

Is PRO version much more difficult than Standard?
Not really. Our goal was to make software that offers full scale of features but yet doesn't necessary require you to understand them all at once. DVD-lab PRO allows almost immediate jump-start. No need to absorb every detail. The idea is that you learn as you go and start using more advanced features when you need them. If you can work with Standard version you can work with PRO for sure.

Is Studio version more difficult than Standard?
No, we kept the look and feel of Standard version without any un-necessary clutter, but added some new features from PRO version, like increasing number of audio tracks or adding Play All and Return to last menu.

How fast can I create my very first project?
In 10 minutes. Just read the one page quick tutorial. This apply to both Standard and PRO.

Why the PRO version has two kinds of menus (VTS Menu and VMG Menu)?
Because DVD specifications has two kinds of menus. Many other advanced authoring software pretend they have only one type of menu to be "easy" on users. Then, behind your back they place the menu to VMG or VTS domain depending on the most probable situation. That's simply wrong. The true value of advanced authoring application is that you are in the control, not the application.

I don't understand all the VMG, VTS terms...
That's OK, Nobody is born with this knowledge. We had to learn it as well. You don't need to understand any of this in PRO because the software will teach you. For example you will be happily building your DVD's for months the simple way. Movies, menus then link. Then one day you will add both 16:9 and 4:3 movies. When you compile the software will tell you - sorry but you have to put each movie into separate VTS. Soon after that you will discover the need for VMG menu. Learn as you go.

Do I have to use/learn VM Commands for PRO?
No, Absolutely no! This was added for the more advanced users that need to create a very special structure. Unlike other software that use VM commands, in DVD-lab you don't have to even know they exist. But VM Commands allows you to go beyond advanced authoring.

How complex is the created DVD structure in PRO?
The Abstraction layer (or the DVD structure that DVD-lab creates) may be one of the cleanest you have seen. We use only few registers (GPRM11-GPRM15) in our AL for DVD-lab code (playlist, menu highlighting, return to last menu etc..), the rest is for you freely to use in VM Commands. We are very careful to create only the commands that are necessary for the project, so the DVD will be clean. No unused code, no large command structure that jump all over the place. Lean code.
For special needs you can even switch off the Abstraction Layer can be switched off and start building your DVD in low-level.

The PRO looks great, but I don't think I need all the features...
While the PRO 2.0 is the best deal for the buck (you can't get such features for the same money anywhere else) we also created Studio version that bridges the Standard and PRO. Still there is very straightforward upgrade policy between Standard, Sudio and PRO.