Whoa. Dvdsanta as the best authoring app? Far from it. And Dvdsanta is not capture software either. The best "bang-for-the-buck" is DVDLab, then DVDLab Pro. Others may be better, but at a seriously inflated price. Tmpgenc DVD Author runs a poor 3rd. For capture, usually whatever comes with your capture device, although I use virtualdub for avi, and Mainconcept mpeg encoder for mpeg-2.
dvd santa converts digital camcorder to dvd. (and several other good tools too) I use it to convert mpeg and avi to dvd format also. I have used it for over 6 months now, I have not had any problems with it. AND YES ITS MY CHOICE. and my pick.
If you want the best: Capture and edit with Premiere Pro Encode with Canopus Pro Coder 2 Compile and menus with Encore (although DVD Lab Pro is a better IMHO option) But they are the best.