Dvd authoring question

first of all, i make basic, simple check dvds for my clients using compressor & dvd studio pro but i don't do any real dvd authoring. i've been editing hi-def material (dvcpro hd/apple prores hq 720p) for about 4-5 yrs and have been delivering hard drives to dvd authoring facilities for commercially released sd dvds. they play back letterboxed 4:3 on my sd tv set and i've been told they play back 16:9 on widescreen units. i know little about the authoring process so i'm not sure how that magic happens.
a client of mine (who produces commercially released dvds) who's my last sd holdout is making the leap to hd (at least the test files were apple prores hq 720p 59.94). when i spoke to this client's dvd authorer, he said he still wanted the show in an sd format (preferably tape) and said it didn't make sense for them to be shooting in 16:9 since the sd dvds that he'll be producing are 4:3 so the picture will either be cut off or squeezed. understood but like i said no one else i've dealt with has ever mentioned that as being a problem. i provide the highest quality files i can and in the authoring they downconvert for an sd dvd that plays either letterboxed or full screen 16:9 depending on the playback setup. can anyone explain to me how that process works so i can explain it to him since my client has a long relationship with this dvd guy and doesn't want to leave him. thanks.

Really makes sense to shoot in 16:9 HD. It's pretty simple to crop to a full frame 4:3 quicktime for SD DVD authoring. You can actually setup a DVD project so that it'll play 4:3 full screen when appropriate (and even do a pan and scan - although I've never done it myself). But as Shane says, for any sort of shelf life, 16:9 is the way to go.

Similar Messages

HD DVD authoring questions

Hi All,
I'm attemp to author a HD-DVD with DVDSP 4.12,
Which Disc format(Red or Blue)should I choose?
Cause if I choose "red laser" the the disc size was
down to 8.4, but it has 30G on "blue laser" option.
Can I choose "blue laser" to author a HD-DVD project?
Anyone know the maximum size for each layer?
Thanks,
G

Here is Toshiba's page on the burner, the SD-H903A:
http://sdd.toshiba.com/main.aspx?Path=818200000007000000010000659800001516/81820 0000d98000000010000659c00002f5e/818200000e8d000000010000659c00003048/818200000e9 c000000010000659c00003052
and their PDF white paper:
http://sdd.toshiba.com/localcache/8200000030B600000ECB0000000100000000.pdf
and three articles on the unit:
http://computershopper.com/ces2007/toshibassdh903a_is_thefirst
http://www.burnworld.com/burningnews/hddvd/ToshibaSD-H903A_HD_DVDBurner.shtml
http://www.engadget.com/2007/01/05/toshiba-unveils-sd-h903a-hd-dvd-burner-for-pc s/
All of which say the burner was announed at CES in January, and expected to start OEM shipments in February. However, in the 4 months since then, there is a resounding silence from both reviewers and Toshiba. I suspect there may be performance issues associated with the unit that are delaying its release.
Even if you could buy one, I'd be surprised if it were supported for the Mac OS, though that should be fast on the heels of the drive's acutal release should that ever occur.

NEW - DVD Authoring lounge

http://www.adobeforums.com/cgi-bin/webx/.3bbf771c/
Why should Premiere Pro & Photoshop have the lounges?
This new forum is especially for all general DVD authoring questions, problems, discussions - whatever you want to talk about/rant about/praise/slag off - this is the place to do it.
See you all in there

Please HELP!!
During DVD build in Encore 1.5 I get a message:-
'Cannot find session file - transcoding failed'
I need to complete the project to a deadline!!
I've successfully built many projects on Encore 1.5.
Any advice woud be appreciated.
Tim O'Dwyer

Newbie Question - DVD Authoring

I am brand new to the Mac and DVD authoring, but so far love it and won't go back to a PC!!!
I have approx. 150+ 8mm/Hi8/Digital 8 tapes to edit and create DVDs from. Do I need to keep the original analog or digital tapes for future projects?
The real question is, in the future, can I take a completed iDVD disc and extract video/audio from it to create a new project or do I need to have the original 8mm tape?
If I can extract from an iDVD disc, how?
Thanks!
Tim
PS. Sorry if this is a simple question!
iMac Mac OS X (10.4.10)

The real question is, in the future, can I take a completed iDVD disc and extract video/audio from it to create a new project or do I need to have the original 8mm tape?
Yes you can with an app like:
http://www.dvdxdv.com/NewFolderLookSite/Products/DVDxDV.products.htm
but it will lose significant quality. Best to hold on to all source footage /mini dv and hi8 tapes.
Keep the original tapes or move your iMovie to mini dv tape and keep those for future edits. But you will likely lose your chapter markers. Or save your iDVD's in the form of a disc image to an ext. FW HD (less desireable due to the fact you cannot make future edits unless you opt for the above mentioned app).

Noob question... DVD authoring after FC Express

Hi. I'm not new to video, but I'm new to Final Cut Express. I bought it with a credit I had at a local Mac store, figuring I'd use it on my Mac (I use Premiere Pro on the Windows side of the house).
So my question:
I thought that Final Cut Express would have some sort of DVD Authoring, even if fairly light. But, it seems that it doesn't (my fault for not checking first, I suppose).
Anyway, how are you guys doing this? iDVD?
I see that I can put chapter markers that will work in DVD Studio, but I don't have that, and it appears that you can't buy it standalone, so that's out.
Does iDVD work with Final Cut Express movies (BTW - I'm on FCE 4)?
What other software is there for DVD authoring that works with Final Cut Express' output (print to tape and quicktime only?)
I'm hoping this wasn't a mistaken purchase. It was kind of free, but I could have gotten something else.
Thanks...

Yes, like above mentioned... put your chapter markers in and then export Quicktime (not conversion) and from the drop down menu select include chapter markers (or something like that) and your good to go!
Good luck on your DVD authorizing!!!

DVD authoring after editing project with FCP X

FCP X has extremely limited DVD authoring options within it. Can't put more than one short movie on a disc, only two menu templates to choose from, etc. So my question is what do I use to author a DVD after editing projects with FCP X? I know I need to use Compressor to set chapter points, etc., but what do I use to build the DVD menu and burn the DVD? I certainly hope I am not limited to iDVD only, which is not really a pro application, and I gather that DVD Studio Pro is no longer being sold. Amazingly, I asked this question at a One-to-One session at an Apple Store and the guy there suggested Adobe Encore ... I was totally shocked! Does anyone have an answer to all this?

Encore is very good, but you have to buy PPro to get it, you could look on eBay for a copy of DVDSP. It does look like Apple will not be offering a Pro Level DVD authoring package anymore, it's a shame as DVDSP works very well still and they could have just offered it as a standalone.

Why aw6 upgrade to aw7 for CD/DVD authoring?

Hi,
I am familiar with authorware since 1997.
Altough I am not a programmer pur sang,
I like the flexible workflow.
Offering external linked content; txt-files(V5),
rtf-files(V6) and many, many smart interactive possibilities.
The last 4 years i was developing web based applications.
(Dreamweaver, Coursebuilder, Flash, Lectora etc...)
One of my clients/partners wants now a CD/DVDrom application.
I want to do it with Authorware 5, 5.1, 6.0
Can anybody tell me what the benefits are to upgrade to 7.
(for CD/DVD authoring)
Or maybe i can better wait for authorware 8. Adobe studio
........(swf
output?...is this really possible? )
Thanks in Advance,
Marc

Maybe you Tell me... about the swf-question?
The things I really miss>?...
I Wonder,
Marc
"Amy Blankenship *AdobeCommunityExpert*"
<[email protected]>
schreef in bericht news:eb7oc3$4du$[email protected]..
> If you had Authorware 6.5, I'd say there was little
advantage in
> upgrading. However, 6.5 was a wonderful upgrade which
offered many
> advantages over 6.0. AW 7 offered a couple of
innovations, including
> JavaScript and the DVD icon. If I were you, I'd go ahead
and upgrade,
> because being two versions old you're really missing out
on a lot.
>
> HTH;
>
> Amy
>
> "marxpost" <[email protected]> wrote in message
> news:eb7g22$nju$[email protected]..
>> Hi,
>>
>> I am familiar with authorware since 1997.
>> Altough I am not a programmer pur sang,
>> I like the flexible workflow.
>> Offering external linked content; txt-files(V5),
>> rtf-files(V6) and many, many smart interactive
possibilities.
>>
>> The last 4 years i was developing web based
applications.
>> (Dreamweaver, Coursebuilder, Flash, Lectora etc...)
>>
>> One of my clients/partners wants now a CD/DVDrom
application.
>>
>> I want to do it with Authorware 5, 5.1, 6.0
>>
>> Can anybody tell me what the benefits are to upgrade
to 7.
>> (for CD/DVD authoring)
>>
>> Or maybe i can better wait for authorware 8. Adobe
studio ........(swf
>> output?...is this really possible? )
>>
>> Thanks in Advance,
>> Marc
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>
>

Are there any good DVD authoring programs for Mac now that Apple has discontinued DVD Studio and iDVD? I need to make DVDs that have interactive menus and such (Final Cut X and Compressor 4's DVD option is a little cheap). Any ideas?

Are there any good DVD authoring programs for Mac now that Apple has discontinued DVD Studio and iDVD? I need to make DVDs that have interactive menus and such (Final Cut X and Compressor 4's DVD option is a little cheap and doesn't provide any kind of professional DVD authoring). Any ideas?

This comes up a lot these days.
Practically speaking, there are really four options for the Mac platform: Toast (<$100), Adobe Premier Productiom ($1,600 to buy or $50/month to rent), find a copy of Final Cut Studio from 3rd party (+/- $1,000 new) or a boxed edition of iLife to get iDVD ($50 - $90 on Amazon new).
The other question everyone has is how many OS versions before iDVD or FCS breaks? No one knows, but Apple has said they're no longer supporting these legacy apps. Of course, no one is mandated to upgrade to a new OS unless they buy a new computer. So if it works on a system, stay with it as long as it makes sense.
Good luck.
Russ

FCPX - Compressor - DVD Authoring Workflow - Help

What is the best workflow for DVD creation using an iMac.
We are shooting HD video on 2 cameras. We import the AVCHD folders into FCPX. In order to work real time we turn on Proxy. We then send to compressor to create an MOV file with AAC audio as shown below. We then use Sony DVD Architect or about to try Adobe Encore for DVD authoring as we need to create a PLAY all and chapters for all 26 scenes of the video. There are 2 acts and each is about 45 minutes long.
Import of the raw video is about 20 minutes, import into FCPX is long (never actually clocked it). Export from FCPX to compressor is zero. Compressor to MOV is 14 HOURS (7 Hours per act)! Use in DVD authoring program is zero but export is another 3 hours???
(Compressor export settings - video was shot at 1080i 1280x720
File Extension: mov
Estimated size: unknown
Audio Encoder
          AAC, Stereo (L R), 48.000 kHz
Video Encoder
          Width: (100% of source)
          Height: (100% of source)
          Pixel aspect ratio: Default
          Crop: None
          Padding: None
          Frame rate: 30
          Frame Controls: Automatically selected: Off
          Codec Type: H.264
          Multi-pass: On, frame reorder: On
          Pixel depth: 24
          Spatial quality: 53
          Min. Spatial quality: 25
          Key frame interval: 24
          Temporal quality: 50
          Min. temporal quality: 25
          Maximum data rate: 20.972 (Mbps)
Compatible with Mac

First, I need to say that I still do 90% of my work in FCS. Although I'm intrigued by FCPX and using it more and more, I have a whole lot of learning ahead. There are a lot of people on the FCPX boards who are using it as their primary editor…and you may get more informed advice over there.
But to your workflow questions, I think I would see if your system can handle optimized media (Pro Res) rather than Proxy. I just did a two camera shoot and had no trouble cutting in Pro Res – with the media on a FW 800 external drive. Then I followed my usual workflow: after finishing, export as a QT movie with current settings so that I have a Pro Res master that I can bring into Compressor to re-purpose for DVD, Web, Broadcast, Mobile Devices.
As to your specific DVD needs, you probably already know that Compressor can output DVD's with a simple menu that respects chapter markers that are set within Compressor (not FCPX). So there's only one encode: Pro Res > MPEG 2 plus AC3, which processes fairly quickly. Fair warning: there was a recent poster in this forum who had a boatload of trouble with a long video and over 20 chapters. I have not encountered those problems myself, but I don't believe he ever found a fix for his.
If you require a complex menu, then probably Encore is the way to go unless you have access to DVD Studio Pro. I would imagine that Compressor's markers would be recognized by Encore, but I'm not positive. They definitely are recognized by DVD Studio Pr – and for that matter, iDVD.
BTW, you state the video was shot 1080i…what is the significance of 1280X720? You know that all DVDs are 720X480.
Good luck.
Russ

Final Cut Pro - does it come with a DVD Authoring Software

Hey guys!
I'm just planning to change my Windows to a Mac.
I was looking around for a DVD Authoring Software and everyone was suggesting DVD Studio Pro. So I looked it up to get it's price but I couldn't find it at all. I would really appreciate it if someone could tell me where DVD Studio Pro is available. It would also be great if you could suggest any other DVD Authoring Software compatible with Mac OS.
Thanks very much!

You either have not drunk the kool aid or did not get Apple's version of the future memo.
The DVD is dead according to Apple corp. And, they are doing everything possible to sweep it away. DVDSP has been discontinued.
If you want to stay with Apple apps, your options are iDVD or Compressor 4 ( limited menus). Otherwise, start looking at the Adobe CS suite (particularly Encore).
Welcome to the brave new world.
x

DVD @ access questions?

I am putting together a short promo DVD for a client and I have a catalogue of their products as an image on the DVD that you can access via the main menu. What I want to do is have it so the products are 'clickable' and will take the user [when online] to the clients web site. I did a search but I cant find out how to link this page to the DVD access settings in the inspector. Any help? Also, can you link a button to open up and email application so the user can email direct from watching this DVD? Questions questions questions....thanks in advance. Oh, Im on DVDSP2.

DVD@ccess is actually quite limited and not entirely compatible with the range of DVD playback software/hardware available on a PC... you might be better off using eDVD from Sonic (which is PC software, making use of the Interactual Player, rather than @ccess).
However, @ccess links are embedded in to a menu - so any button you have got needs to go to a menu that simply has the @ccess URL embedded and the menu needs to time out to return to where the button was. For launching a web site simply use the standard URL for the site, include the http:// info in that.
Now, sending an email is not going to work all of the time, but you can try it out and see if it has the functionality you want. The URL to place into the menu for DVD@ccess is the HTML 'mailto' code. simply write:
mailto:[email protected], replacing name, domain and .com with the revelant info. If you have got the @ccess links enabled on your Mac, try simulating the menu with this in it... you should see Mail launch (it takes a moment for it to appear, but should work). Whether or not this will work on a PC with Outlook I don't know...

My Personal Workflow for DVD Authoring in Encore

This is being posted, due to requests for workflow recs. from a few other threads. It is separate from those threads, but I will try to link to his post in those.
The DVD Specs. are quite strict on what is allowed, and in what exact form, in a DVD to be compliant with the standards set forth. However, there are some differences, other than image sizes, between NTSC and PAL. Depending on where you are, and where your DVD will be played, these can, and will, be different. Rather than type out a list of the specifications, Ill point you to: http://www.dvd-replica.com/DVD/dvdprimer-1.php for some reading and references.
That said, Adobe Encore can handle, on Import, more formats and sizes, than are allowed, by the DVD specs. In most cases, it will fit the Assets to DVD, but not in all cases. Also, some Assets are more likely to work, without problems, than are others. Rather than list all of the file formats, etc., that Encore can work with, Im only going to list a potential workflow, that has been known to work, with the least effort, for me. My suggestion is that if you have Assets that are different, you look into getting them into perfect compliance, BEFORE you bring them into Encore. This allows Encore to do, what it does best, create DVD Spec. DVDs for play on a television set through a set-top player, or on a computer through a DVD software player. This article will not address a lot of other possible inclusions, such as ROM content, interactive DVD, multiple Audio Tracks, Closed Captioning, or Subtitles. It also assumes that one is burning to a DVD and not to Blu-ray Disc, or another medium.
Most of the thoughts here come from a few sources, the prime one being Jeff Bellunes book, The Focal Easy Guide to Adobe Encore DVD 2.0, by Focal Press, ISBN 0-240-52004-1. Other sources are Adobe Press Classroom in a Book for Encore, and various articles and discussions from the Adobe User-to-User Forums, for Encore and Premiere Pro.*
There are many possible ways to acquire Assets (the actual Audio and Video files that you will use), and I will not cover all of these, nor will I go into great detail on preparing your Assets for Encore, other than to say that its best to Export from your Non-Linear Editor (NLE), or convert with third-party programs, your Assets so that they are most likely to work in Encore. Your choice of NLE, or conversion program is totally up to you. There are freeware, shareware and commercial ware programs for all of this. Reading the various Adobe forums and other video production forums, plus a healthy dose of Google, should yield a whole toolbox of utilities. No one utility, from $50,000 authoring programs to freeware file converters can do it all. Like a good mechanic, you need the best tools for the exact job. Also, there are other DVD authoring programs, and some are less strict, than is Encore, about what they will and will not accept. Your final DVD may play perfectly, or it may not. Encore tries to assure that you will get perfect playback on as many different machines, as is possible.
Ill step you through my personal workflow, but you have to understand that this is not the ONLY way to do it. You also must realize that your exact needs might dictate that you do it otherwise. All Im giving you, is what has worked for me in hundreds of successful DVD Projects. It is based on trial-and-error, a lot of help from the regulars in the Adobe forums, Jeff Bellunes book and other resources. How you adapt this to your personal workflow, or your particular Project is up to you.
[Go to Page 2 for the rest]

[Page 2]
To start, plan your Project from beginning to the finished product in this case, a DVD that can play on a TV, or on a computer, that is compliant with the DVD specs. I usually have edited all of my Video and Audio Assets, using Adobe Premiere Pro (PP), and Adobe Audition (AA). Any still Assets have usually come from Adobe Photoshop (PS), whether they are Menus, or Graphics of some sort. This allows me great flexibility in the creation and Export of my Assets. In a parallel universe, one might have a client, who hands them Assets, that have to be manipulated. One then has to find the right tools to get the Assets into a format that will work.
I plan each Project, and usually draw out a flowchart (not unlike the Flowchart Panel in Encore) in Adobe Illustrator (AI). This gives me the layout and navigation of the DVD, and lists all of my Assets, showing all of the links from Menus to Assets, often by way of Playlists, or Chapter Playlists. From this flowchart, I then create a list of all of my Assets, noting what form they are in, and also which ones will, or might, need some additional work.
Next, I gather these Assets from their location on my systems hard drive (HDD). There, I have built a folder hierarchy that differentiates the Assets type, Still, Menu, Music, Audio (associated with the Video) and Video. All are below my main Projects folder. As I have created these Assets, I have control over their form and format. All of my Video is an elemental stream (Video only no Audio, not muxed) in the DV-AVI format. All of my Audio is an elemental stream (Audio only no Video, not muxed) in the AC3 (Dolby Digital) format and is usually DD 5.1 Surround Sound. All of my Music (for Menus, etc.) is in AC3 format. All of my Menus are PSDs, and are either built FROM the template Menus in Encore, adapted for my needs, or are constructed in PS using the exact same conventions as the template Menus in Encore.
I have created a template Project in Encore, that has my normal structure in place. It is empty, except for a Bin structure, which lists my Assets: Video, Timelines, Audio, Music, Menus, etc.. This template has been saved from Encore (remember, its otherwise empty), and I Open it in Encore, and immediately Save_As, to my Project folder, with that Projects name. I use Save_As for two reasons, it leaves my template Project untouched and then locates my Project in the proper folder and is still in Encore on my screen. If I were to use Save_As_a_Copy, Id then have to Exit and Open that copy. My way automatically gets me to where I need to be, with my new Project (named appropriately) open in Encore. Im ready to get started.
With my Assets list in hand, I Import these into the pre-made Bins. First, I Import my Videos, as Timelines into my Timelines Bin. This brings in my DV-AVI Video files and creates a Timeline for each. When done, I split out the Video, into the Video Bin leaving the Timelines alone in the Timelines Bin. If I have any Video for my Motion Menus, I Import, as Asset, into the Video Bin, along with the Videos that were used to automatically create my Timelines. Next, I Import, as Asset, my Audio AC3 files into the Audio Bin. Same for Menus, as Menus, into my Menus Bin. Music AC3's are Imported as an Asset into the Music Bin. Should there be any Stills, that are not Menus (highly unlikely), they are Imported into a Stills Bin. Now its time for some drag-n-drop. Each Timeline has its Video on it, and I go to the Audio Bin, and drag the appropriate Audio file to its respective Timeline. Because I edited and Exported these files as elemental streams (non-multiplexed, or muxed), I know that they are EXACTLY the same Duration. Now, I set the appropriate Poster Frame for each Chapter/Timeline. To step back a bit here, I need to point out that I always edit my movies in PP, my NLE of choice, and keep each Chapter on its own Sequence. I Export each Sequence as a separate file (one Audio and one Video). I almost never use Chapter Markers, as each Chapter will be a separate set of Audio and Video files, and will have it own Timeline in Encore. The only times that I use Chapter Markers, is when I need some additional navigation within a Timeline, but that is not often. This is just how I edit. I will not cover other methods, but there are books and articles that discuss other ways. None is right vs wrong. They are just different, and this one is mine.
From my Flowchart Panel, I know if I will have a Video (with Audio) lead-in as my First Play. I also know exactly what my Menu structure will be. Most of my Projects have a Main Menu with sub-Menus for Scene selection, or other features navigation. I also know how many Playlists I will need, and create these. There is usually a Play All Playlist, as my Chapters are all on a separate Timeline. I seldom use a Chapter Playlist (similar name, but different than a Playlist). These are all stored in my Playlist Bin. Now, I can now start Linking my Assets.
In PS, I will have named my Buttons to correspond to the names of my Chapters (remember mine will be each on a separate Timeline, which have also been named appropriately). I leave the Button numbering, which is different than a Buttons name, in the same hierarchal order, #1 is the lowest on the Button Layer Set palette, with higher numbers in ascending order. Because my Buttons are already named, Ill take each Menu into the Menu Monitor and do a Ctrl-a (Select all) and makes sure that Sync Button Name is unchecked in the Menu Properties Panel. I do this for all of my Menu Buttons - heck, I have already spent the time in PS to create the proper Text Layer, and have changed the Buttons names to what I want them to be, why mess that up now.
With the Buttons, in all of my Menus and sub-Menus named appropriately, I can look in the Flowchart Panel and know exactly where I need to Link. One could almost do this blindfolded. Its here that I make sure that the End Actions get me exactly where I wish to go. Also, by using Playlists for things like Play All, I can set the End Action there.
Last, I address my Menus, regarding Motion. About half of my Menus have some form of animated Background. These are always non-muxed DV-AVIs (stored in the Video Bin). Almost all of my Menus will have Audio, in the form of an AC3 (stored in the Audio Bin).
Everything has been Linked, all End Actions have been set, nothing is left in the Orphanage, and it is time to Check Project. Oh, if I do have animations on my Menus, Ill Render Motion Menus and Preview them. I always leave all functions checked in Check Project and run it. I note any warnings, or errors, and go about fixing these. Ninety percent of the time, I only get the occasional warning, and it will be about End Actions. As these are only warnings, I note them to make sure that, in Preview, things function as I wish. There are almost never any errors, but if there are, I begin fixing them. Note: the Check Project function really only checks the navigation, as per the DVD specs. It does not check that your Assets are compliant. Since mine are, before they are Imported, this is never a problem.
Now, I Preview, and Preview, and Preview. Normally, I am able to leave Button Routing to Automatically Route Buttons, so I seldom have to worry about that. Also, since I either built my Menus FROM the Encore Menu Templates, or created them PER the Encore Menu Templates, I seldom have any Button overlaps.
[Go to Page 3]

Frustrated....it has limited chapter markers...is there other dvd authoring

Look like DVD SP is not comptiable with education projects. My projects are usually have alot menus and alot of chapter markers.... I had to split video tracks into few because of too many chapters and actions. Do you know if that DVD SP is possible to pass limited chapteer markers? Or there is good DVD authoring software for Macitnosh? Someone suggested me to use Sceneraic (PC software) and it is way too expensive. Hope there I will get a help.

Oh, Guys,
While we're at it, There are other serious limitations DVD SP has when it comes to the larger projects requiring lots of end actions (over the years, every time I read the DVD-Video Specifications, I find one or more additional cool capabilities DVD SP left out):
1) Cells. DVD SP only allows creating 256 cells in the *entire Video Title Set*. The DVD-Video Specifications provides for thousands in the VOB, grouped in thousands of possible PGCs which DVD SP also has no way to construct (see below).
The paltry few cells that DVD SP does allow placing per VTS, are not allowed to have end actions associated to them, or be targeted by the Connections. Only cells flagged as Markers can have end actions - and then only 52 of the Markers in a Video Title Set (Track) can have end actions (I had a post around here about a year ago explaining why); and only cells designated as Markers show up as navigation targets.
That's a serious limitation for larger projects - and for many smaller projects.
Cells in DVD SP are good to bound buttons on video, and set as the layer break, is about all.
2) PGCs. DVD SP's method of allowing extra one sequential title PGCs (Program Chains) is by creating Stories. But all the Stories in the VTS can only be constructed from the same Markers (same video segments) in the Track. In Scenarist, you can create thousands of PGCs and cells to have all the end actions you need - Check out the logical element and asset domain placement scenario in the "Scene It" DVD games, authored in Scenarist. Thousands of all the logical constructs allowed by the Specifications are there to check out. Note: Those discs can take quite a while to load in the DVDAfterEdit demo, or other IFO Editor browser.
But even though DVD SP allows the creation of Stories (one sequential Title PGCs in the VTS), it does not allow the creation of non sequential PGCs (except for one or two non sequential PGCs in one limited in usefulness circumstance) - which is where the heavy duty arrangement of thousands of PTT's (chapters), Programs, and Cells take place. Gotta be able to create bunches of those non sequential PGCs for those large interactive projects.
I'm preparing an article that goes over the 'regular' limitations of DVD SP and how it has set up some less than optimal functioning for what it does allow. For instance, large projects can slow to a crawl and drop in player compatibility percentages during navigation of the DVD SP generated disc, simply due to the default structures users often create. For instance, the biggie - too many Tracks; There are penalties for trying to use *an entire Video Title Set*, complete with full VTSM menu domain structure (DVD SP hides this from the user), in the place of a non or sequential Title PGC.
There's more to it, of course. But I've spent the last 11 years working on ways to get around these DVD SP limitations. And for most project types, I've been successful helping my authoring studio clients. But one thing all serious DVD SP authors with good paying clients need to consider, is getting licensed with Scenarist Professional ($5,000), which I did several years ago. When you see how blazing fast even simple and complex DVDs output by Scenarist navigate, compared to the same project output by DVD SP, it will be become very clear which project types should be done in which app; and your client will be best served.
Take care,
Trai
New Constellation Technologies / TFDVD Research Labs

DVD Authoring: How to Make a Menu/Home/Splash Screen

I searched for "DVD menu" and "DVD authoring" but came up empty for what I am trying to do.
I am a newbie to InDesign (CS3), using mostly Premiere Pro. I am a teacher at a High School and for our 4th quarter project we are making a Senior year video. Anyway, one of the groups have the task of designing the cover art, liner notes, DV-disc cover, as well as the menu screens for the DVD itself.
I clearly see that InDesign has some nice templates for most of this stuff, but is this the proper software to be using to create a menu screen to load the chapters, view additional content and things of that sort?
Thanks for the guidance. I'm looking forward to this project but want to make sure I understand the general process first. I'm a quick learner but want to make sure I am studying the right software this weekend!

InDesign is excellent for the printed material, but almost wholly useless for DVD menus. At best, you could create some graphic backgrounds by exporting the layout to JPEG - and that might be an approach to make your printed materials and menus match - but it has no features for creating or editing the menus themselves.
What you want is a DVD authoring tool. There are quite a few around, most of which have flexible titling and menuing functions. Some very limited packages only work with a canned menu; others have some support for user-created menus and titles; others are full-function design and layout tools for those purposes.
I find that Adobe Encore handles most of my needs, but you may be looking for a less expensive alternative. (Encore is about $200 with an academic license, if I remember rightly.)
A general web search for "DVD Authoring" should turn up a selection of tools in all price ranges and with a spectrum of capabilities.

How do I export a 720p 30fps video that is suitable for NTSC DVD authoring?

I have some 720p HD videos, but they are 30fps. I want to encode them (using a separate program) to SD MPEG-2 for authoring an NTSC DVD. How do I conform these files to the 29.97fps frame rate needed for DVD authoring? Do I export the video as is @30fps, but set the MPEG-2 encoder to use 29.97fps during the encode? Will that sync cause problems or stuttering? Or do I need to do something else to the video before it can be encoded to MPEG-2?
I am quite new to using HD video, and never had to work with 30fps material before.

What camera did you shoot this on? Also I thought you said all the clips were 720p, the reason I'm asking what camera you shot this stuff is because with several camera's even though they say 720p they are actually recording as 720PsF which will appear to cs4 as interlaced footage. It also appears as interlaced to FCP and also media info and Gspot.
http://provideocoalition.com/index.php/atepper/story/psf8217s_missing_workflow_em_part_1_b enign_psf_versus_malignant_psf/

Dvd authoring question

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