DVD drive and software questions 130

DVD authoring software is pretty picky about drives if it incorporates the ability to burn directly from the authorware. I prefer using something like Nero to burn the finished authored files, rather than allowing the authorware itself to do it. Most authorware I have dealt with seems to allow one to save the authored files to a folder on your harddrive if you want, which you can then use with other DVD burning software. You might also check our Sonic's "MyDVD" authorware, or TMPEGenc DVD Author. The latter does not have capture support, but will take captured video from other sources and can author DVDs with it. I use something like PowerDirecter Pro to capture the video, then use TMPEGenc DVD Author to make the DVD files, menus, etc. then use Nero to burn them. For the record, I hated Pinnacle Studio 8 when I tried that. Also realize that if the pinnacle software you have came with your Sony drive, then it may not work with other drives. As for the firmware issue, just do the upgrade. BenQ is hardly alone in releasing firmware updates to incorporate new features. From what I've read, they are pretty highly regarded drives currently in the various DVD burning technical forums. That's why I bought mine. I have no complaints.