I had similar probs with Sony software. I THINK the plan was they give you a teaser and hope you register and buy upgrades (that actually work) from them. I am basing this on NO FACTS whatsoever, but that was my perception of the free sony discs. I ditched them.

I used firewire connection, edit everything and choose the output format as MPEG-2 (which is the DVD format) in Pinnacle Studio and burned direct to DVD+ disc.