Update: I sprang for TMPGenc Mastering Works 6 and their Authoring software as well. I tried a couple different ways with it and quality was horrible, so Im assuming I need to play around with the settings more.
I also tried rendering a MPEG-2 straight from the Sony Vegas Pro timeline for DVD Architecture and that was poor quality, as I already knew it would be. I have gone ahead and burned several dozens of DVDs with my video using my tried and true method; uncompressed .avi out of Vegas, resize in VirtualDub, bring into DVD Architect as SD-sized .avi. I dont have an internet connection on my personal laptop right now, so TMPGEnc doesnt work they werent kidding about needing an internet connection.... every time you open the program. I think I have older versions of all their stuff that doesnt need an internet connection but Im trying to stay legit these days.
More testing required, and if I find anything that beats my current workflow Ill post a powerpoint about it so the next poor bastard doesnt have to reinvent the wheel.
Mark