DVD writing software... +Other.

I've just bought a HP8000t
Here are my specs.
* Microsoft(R) Windows(R) XP Home Edition with SP2
* Intel(R) Core(TM) Duo processor T2500 (2.0 GHz)
* 17.0" WSXGA+ BrightView Widescreen (1680x1050)
* 256MB NVIDIA(R) GeForce(R) Go 7400
* 2.0GB DDR2 SDRAM (2x1024MB)
* 100 GB 7200 RPM SATA Hard Drive
* LightScribe 8x DVD+/-RW&CD-RW Combo w/Double Layer
* Intel(R) PRO/Wireless 3945ABG w/BT
* 8 Cell Lithium Ion Battery
* Microsoft(R) Works/Money
Pretty Nice, Huh? And Cheap too, under $1800. From Hp Home Store.
I have a copy of Encarta 20005 and Office Small Business 2003 lying around, so those don't matter. I know what security programs I should install (Ad-Aware SE, Avast). I use firefox. So what else do I need to help my comp. run smoothly . I have Adobe Photoshop 6.

My main concern is DVD editing, don't know what to use. Preferrably free if possible.

 

Congrats on your new purchase

What kind of dvd editing? Do you mean editing files you make yourself (camcorder etc) and then making a dvd of them or do you mean editing/backing up of dvds?

For backing up dvds I use DVD Decrypter or DVD Fab to move the files from the dvd to the hard drive. Both are free and you can find them via Google. I then use DVD Shrink (also free) to strip off the extras that I dont want before burning with Nero.

As far as creating your own dvds, TMPGenc DVD Author (not free) is pretty good. Adobe also makes a few programs in this area but they are also not free. I don't make my own dvds very often so I am not totally sure of what software is out there but I am sure someone else here does.

 

I do not understand if you want to edit DVDs or author them. Do you want to convert home video to DVDs? Adobe Premiere is the best in video production.

http://www.pcmag.com/category2/0,1738,4835,00.asp

 

as far as i know there are not many powerful DVD writing programs out there. If you are talking about converting files such as .avi's into DVD quality to be played on a DVD player you may want to look into Sonic MyDVD, i have been using this and it is pretty dummy proof when it comes to writing a DVD, if you are just creating data DVD's there are a multitude of DVD writing programs out there, just head on over to download.com and search DVD writing. You'll find tons

 

For burning or making your own DVDs, I really like Intervideo WinDVD Creator 2 or Sonic MyDVD.

For backing up your DVDs I would use DivX's software. I do not think it is free, but it is pretty good. I believe they have a trial version.

 

For burning Nero is the best in my opinion. I personally prefer 6 over 7. You can get an OEM copy on eBay for around $10.

 

I second Nero.