VOS or Cucusoft for best (.avi).mpeg - DVD

I have downloaded a trial of VSO DiVX to DVD but have been using (and having some problems and freezes with Cucusoft's AVItoDVD program. I know the afterdawn seems to support VSO's product and its only about $35 for the program. It takes long to encode (right now its taking an hour to do 25 minutes of video. Is it worth it?

Also what is the VOS PHOTOtoDVD program? what does it do? Can't I just drag and drop photos onto a blank DVD anyway?

{Oops I put VOS instead of VSO in the title.}