[5.2] What DVD-ROM formatting tools are available?

Ahead
Nero . DVD formatting software for Windows. Can make disc image files and bootable discs. $70.
GEAR
GEAR Pro DVD . DVD formatting software for Windows 95/98/NT4. Writes to DVD-R, DVD-RAM, jukeboxes, and tape, along with general UDF formatting and CD-R/RW burning features. $700.
JVC Professional Computer Products
DVD RomMaker . DVD formatting systems with RAID hardware. $60,000 to $100,000.
Philips
DVD-ROM Disc Builder . DVD formatting software for Windows NT. Writes to tape. (Seems to be discontinued.)
Pinnacle
InstantCD/DVD . Software tools for recording files to CD-R/W, DVD-RAM and DVD-R/W discs from Windows. Can make a bootable DVD. $50.
InstantCopy . CD/DVD copy software for Windows. $30.
Roxio
Toast DVD . DVD formatting software for Mac OS. Writes to DVD-R and tape. Can create DVD-Video discs from VOB and IFO files. $200
SmartDisk (acquired MTC)
ForDVD . DVD formatting software for Windows. Writes to DVD-R and tape. Can create DVD-Video discs from VOB and IFO files. $1200.
Smart Storage
SmartDVD Maker . DVD formatting software for Windows NT. Writes to DVD-R and tape. Can create DVD-Video discs from VOB and IFO files. $2500. (Discontinued as of March 2001.)
Software Architects
WriteDVD Pro and WriteUDF . DVD formatting software for Mac OS and Windows. Writes to DVD-R and DVD-RAM.
Sonic (acquired Daikin and Veritas DMD)
DVD-ROM Formatter . DVD formatting software for Windows NT/2000/XP. Writes to DVD-R and tape. Can create DVD-Video discs from VOB and IFO files.
RecordNow and RecordNow MAX Platinum . CD and DVD burning software for music, photos, and video. Windows. $50 and $80.
Backup MyPC and Simple Backup . Windows file backup software for recordable DVD and CD.
Veritas (acquired Prassi)
Note: Veritas Desktop and Mobile Division was acquired by Sonic in November 2002.
VOB
Note: VOB was acquired by Pinnacle Systems in October 2002.
Young Minds
DVD Studio and MakeDisc for DVD . DVD formatting software for Windows NT and Unix. Writes to DVD-R.
Features to look for in DVD formatters:
Support for UDF file system, including MicroUDF (UDF 1.02 Appendix 6.9) for DVD-Video and DVD-Audio zones.
Support for UDF bridge format, which stores both UDF and ISO-9660 file systems on the disc.
Ability to recognize VIDEO_TS and AUDIO_TS directories (containing IFO, VOB, and AOB files) and place them contiguously at the physical beginning of the disc for compatibility with DVD-Video players. Placement of directory entries in first UDF file descriptor is also needed for compatibility with certain deficient consumer players.
Support for long filenames in Windows (Joliet format recommended).
Full equivalence between UDF and Joliet (ISO-9660) filenames. (Windows NT 4.0 and Windows 98 read Joliet filenames; Mac OS 8.1+, Windows 98, and Windows 2000 read UDF filenames. MS-DOS and Windows 95 and earlier read ISO-9660 filenames. Mac OS 8.0 and earlier read HFS or ISO-9660 filenames.)
Proper truncation and translation of ISO-9660 filenames to 8.3 format for discs intended for use with MS-DOS and certain other OSes.
Support for Mac OS file information within the UDF file system (for use with Mac OS 8.1 and later).
Support for Mac OS HFS file system if icons and other file information is needed for Mac OS versions earlier than 8.1.
Ability to create a bootable disc using the El Torito specification in the ISO-9660 sectors.