DVD Studio Pro skipping / freeze frame on chapter markers

I'm getting a freeze frame / hiccup on all chapter markers.... I export as quicktime (with DSP markers) from FCP to keep GOP info.... still hiccups... set end jumps to not set.... still hiccups....
I found a few threads about media quality, do I need "duplicate grade" discs for burning masters or something...?
Most direct to market DVD's that I've tested have a fade to black at beginning and end of all chapters (I'm assuming as a workaround for this issue) the only DVD I can find that has seamless chapter transitions is a major studio released DVD "Usual Suspects"
I've been scouring the web for days now and am not finding a solution... I've tried with multiple tracks, single tracks, multiple asset files, single asset files.... all with the same result... same in simulation as on burned DVD...
Help me Obi-Wan your'e my only hope....
Best,
-J

I suspect that what you are referring to is not actual chapter markers. Every DVD I have ever seen has seamless chapter markers, no transitions. In fact I've never seen a dvd that fades to black at the chapter marker. Are you really referring to menus or perhaps tracks?

Similar Messages

DVD Studio Pro will not recogise my chapter markers!!!

When I export my Quicktime movie from Final cut, I include the DVD Studio Pro markers.
However, when it gets into DVD Studio Pro, it does not recognise them at all.
I tried in vain to go back to Final Cut Pro and export the markers "as a text file" but could not find anywhere to do that. I looked at XML exporting but that did not work either!
How can you get Final Cut Pro to just export chapter markers.
Help!

You might also try right-clicking on the mpeg in the track in DVDSP and choosing "add embedded markers". I think I remember noticing that markers did not necessarily import automatically when adding an mpeg to a track, if there were any markers already in that track (with the exception of the un-deletable first one).
There is also an option in the Compressor preset, in the Encoder pane of the Inspector, under Extras, where the inclusion of markers can be checked on or off. If you are exporting to a Quicktime movie before importing to Compressor, you should be able to see the markers in the preview window by choosing to show them from the markers dropdown to the right of the Compressor preview window's scrubber bar.
Hope this helps.
Max Average

DVD Studio Pro 4 freezing when I click on video tab in palette

I have a recent problem with DVD Studio Pro 4. When I open the application it appears to be okay, but when I click on the video tab in the palette the application freezes. All other tabs open okay: Templates, Styles, Shapes, Audio, Stills, but when I click on video the whole thing freezes.
This has only recently happened and I have used this software plenty in the past.
I would appreciate if anyone could help or let me know if you need more details.
Cheers

I renamed the current pref file, com.apple.dvdstudiopro.plist, and restarted the application. This seems to have corrected the problem. A new version of the file was created when the application was restarted. Hopefully this will be a long lasting fix.
Thanks very much for your help.

Blu Ray:Eventual File Format Compatibility for DVD Studio Pro? Time Frame?

Hello There,
A couple of questions for those of you who might be in the loop regarding Blu Ray authoring development plans for DVDSP:
1. A time frame?
2. When Blu Ray authoring is possible with DVDSP, does anyone know what video file formats DVDSP will accept? Will it be MPEG HD? Will it be H.264? Or will it be both? Might it be neither?
I'm trying to make some hardware decisions for encoding, so if anyone has the inside skinny on answers to these questions, fantastic.
Thanks,
sb

Stuart Baker2 wrote:
Thanks for your response.
TOU?
Term of Use of the Boards
When I said I'm evaluating equipment, I wasn't referring to a workstation, but a real time encoding card that I'm purchasing for additional reasons. If I knew which Blu-ray codec(s) Apple would commit to for DVDSP, (H.264 and/or HD MPEG-2), is would help to ease my decision.
You should probably look more towards whether (a) the card will be Mac compatible in general (if you are looking for one for the Mac and (b) whether the card supports all the formats which are supported by blu-ray. The reason being, though one would assume that any software to make blu-ray discs would support all proper encodes, it may not be the case. Doubtful, but you never know.
Adobe Encore and Avid have been supporting Blu-ray since last fall. It makes me think that Apple really isn't "in it to win it" insofar as professional DVD Authoring is concerned, which is too bad because I've made an initial commitment to DVDSP for a rather labor intensive workflow.
No comment But the issue has been discussed before. Apple will do what Apple thinks is proper. If they do blu-ray (again not thoughts as to where they are now) I am sure it will be done right. blu-ray and HD are new still and you can see players are not even 100%. The Blue Planet, an HD DVD, had issues on players. And blu-ray has some of the same issues. In other words if people with alot of resource$ are having an issue because the area is still a bit of the wild west...

How to add chapter marker in DVD Studio Pro

I have imported 7 movie clips into DVD Studio Pro but forgot to put chapter markers on them. Is there any way that I can add these in DVD SP direct?

Hi
Of course you can, but be aware that from iside DVDSP you can only add markers at GOP boundaries, what means you cannot select an exact frame, like yuo can do when adding markers in FCP or Compressor.
To add a marker in DVDSP, select the track and place the playhead in the place where you want to add your marker and press M.
Hope that helps !
Alberto

Is there is a way to export the themes from iDVD to DVD Studio Pro?

OK...so here's what I'm trying to find out: is there is a way to export the themes from iDVD to DVD Studio Pro? Or can I build the project in DVDSTPRO and import it to iDVD to build and burn?
I've read several threads here and haven't come across my specific question. If I missed it, please copy me a link. Otherwise, I'd like to use the templates/themes in iDVD with my FCP project.
I was thinking about importing the project from FCP to iDVD. Then, I thought about the markers etc....
So, if anyone had an idea, tip or link, I'm all for it!
Thanks!
ron

Importing iDVD Projects and Themes
DVD Studio Pro 4 can import projects from iDVD 3 and iDVD 4. You can import an iDVD theme by using the theme in a project within iDVD and importing the project into DVD Studio Pro. When creating the project within iDVD, you do not need to use the final assets or make a complete project.
Note: DVD Studio Pro will not import projects from iDVD 1, iDVD 2, and iDVD 5. In general, iDVD needs to be installed on the same system as DVD Studio Pro. An exception is if you import an iDVD 4 archive project.
To import an iDVD project or archived project into DVD Studio Pro:
1 Do one of the following:
• Choose File > Open.
• Press Command-O.
2 Locate and select the iDVD project or iDVD 4 archive project in the Open dialog, then click Open.
DVD Studio Pro imports the iDVD project.
About the iDVD Project Import
When DVD Studio Pro imports an iDVD 3 or iDVD 4 project or iDVD 4 archive project, it has standard locations it looks for to find the assets and themes used in the project. This is especially important if the project uses custom themes.
The standard locations that DVD Studio Pro uses are (in this order):
• iDVD project bundle: This is the file created when you save the project.
• [user]/Library/iDVD/Favorites: This folder is located in your home folder.
• [root]/Library/iDVD/Favorites: This folder is located at the root of your disk.
• /Network/Library/iDVD/Favorites: This folder is on a network system specifically
configured by your system administrator for this purpose. (This is not the same as having a server networked into your computer.)
• iDVD application bundle: This is the iDVD application file that contains the default theme elements.
Note: When you create an archive project in iDVD 4, you can choose to include the themes and encoded files. For the best portability, you should include both options. This results in a larger archive file, but ensures you can take the file to any DVD Studio Pro system and import it without missing assets. If you do not choose to include the themes and encoded files in the archive file, those assets must be available in one of the standard locations.
If your project will have automatically-created chapter index (scene selection) menus based on markers embedded in the video, it can be easier to create these within iDVD prior to importing the project into DVD Studio Pro. This ensures the chapter index menus use the selected theme’s background and include arrow buttons to navigate between the menus.
Important: To ensure all iDVD menu elements import correctly into DVD Studio Pro, you must navigate to each chapter index menu within iDVD before saving the project. This is also true for any menus you add to your iDVD project by clicking the Folder button.
Issues With Importing iDVD Projects
There are some issues to be aware of when you import iDVD projects:
• If you import an iDVD project with DVD-ROM content, DVD Studio Pro does not update the settings in the Disc Inspector’s General tab to reflect the DVD-ROM content. You must manually select the DVD-ROM layout and choose the folder to include.
• When you create a slideshow in iDVD, you can add arrow buttons to each still to provide viewers with an additional method of jumping to the previous and next stills. These arrow buttons are not imported when you import an iDVD project into DVD Studio Pro. The viewer must use the Previous and Next buttons on the DVD player’s remote control to jump between stills.
• The button highlights used in iDVD may look different when imported into DVD Studio Pro. In most cases, the text in the buttons is set to be included in the highlight. Additionally, buttons that use an underline in iDVD will not have an underline when imported into DVD Studio Pro.
• When you import an iDVD project, you may find that the button that is highlighted by default on some menus changes. During the project import, DVD Studio Pro numbers the buttons on each menu and highlights button 1 by default. You can assign any button on a menu to be the default button in the Menu tab in the Menu Inspector.
• If you import an iDVD project that contains a drop zone configured as a slideshow and has multiple slides assigned to it, DVD Studio Pro only shows the slideshow’s first slide in the drop zone.
Source: +DVD Studio Pro User Manual+

IDVD and DVD Studio Pro

Is there a way to import a theme from iDVD into DVD Studio Pro? I want to use a theme on iDVD called Revolution, but in iDVD it only has one drop zone for pictures. I have seen this theme used with multiple pictures so there has to be a way to do it. I was wondering if you can somehow get that template into DVD Studio Pro for more customization options.

Importing iDVD Projects and Themes:
DVD Studio Pro 4 can import projects from iDVD 3 and iDVD 4. You can import an iDVD theme by using the theme in a project within iDVD and importing the project into DVD Studio Pro. When creating the project within iDVD, you do not need to use the final assets or make a complete project.
Note: DVD Studio Pro will not import projects from iDVD 1, iDVD 2, and iDVD 5.
In general, iDVD needs to be installed on the same system as DVD Studio Pro. An exception is if you import an iDVD 4 archive project.
To import an iDVD project or archived project into DVD Studio Pro:
1 Do one of the following:
• Choose File > Open.
• Press Command-O.
2 Locate and select the iDVD project or iDVD 4 archive project in the Open dialog, then click Open.
DVD Studio Pro imports the iDVD project.
About the iDVD Project Import:
When DVD Studio Pro imports an iDVD 3 or iDVD 4 project or iDVD 4 archive project, it has standard locations it looks for to find the assets and themes used in the project. This is especially important if the project uses custom themes.
The standard locations that DVD Studio Pro uses are (in this order):
• iDVD project bundle: This is the file created when you save the project.
• [user]/Library/iDVD/Favorites: This folder is located in your home folder.
• [root]/Library/iDVD/Favorites: This folder is located at the root of your disk.
• /Network/Library/iDVD/Favorites: This folder is on a network system specifically configured by your system administrator for this purpose. (This is not the same as having a server networked into your computer.)
• iDVD application bundle: This is the iDVD application file that contains the default theme elements.
Note: When you create an archive project in iDVD 4, you can choose to include the themes and encoded files. For the best portability, you should include both options. This results in a larger archive file, but ensures you can take the file to any DVD Studio Pro system and import it without missing assets. If you do not choose to include the themes and encoded files in the archive file, those assets must be available in one of the standard locations. If your project will have automatically-created chapter index (scene selection) menus based on markers embedded in the video, it can be easier to create these within iDVD prior to importing the project into DVD Studio Pro. This ensures the chapter index menus use the selected theme’s background and include arrow buttons to navigate between the menus.
Important: To ensure all iDVD menu elements import correctly into DVD Studio Pro, you must navigate to each chapter index menu within iDVD before saving the project. This is also true for any menus you add to your iDVD project by clicking the Folder button.
Issues With Importing iDVD Projects:
There are some issues to be aware of when you import iDVD projects:
• If you import an iDVD project with DVD-ROM content, DVD Studio Pro does not update the settings in the Disc Inspector’s General tab to reflect the DVD-ROM content. You must manually select the DVD-ROM layout and choose the folder to include.
• When you create a slideshow in iDVD, you can add arrow buttons to each still to provide viewers with an additional method of jumping to the previous and next stills. These arrow buttons are not imported when you import an iDVD project into DVD Studio Pro. The viewer must use the Previous and Next buttons on the DVD player’s remote control to jump between stills.
• The button highlights used in iDVD may look different when imported into
DVD Studio Pro. In most cases, the text in the buttons is set to be included in the highlight. Additionally, buttons that use an underline in iDVD will not have an underline when imported into DVD Studio Pro.
• When you import an iDVD project, you may find that the button that is highlighted by default on some menus changes. During the project import, DVD Studio Pro numbers the buttons on each menu and highlights button 1 by default. You can assign any button on a menu to be the default button in the Menu tab in the Menu Inspector.
• If you import an iDVD project that contains a drop zone configured as a slideshow and has multiple slides assigned to it, DVD Studio Pro only shows the slideshow’s first slide in the drop zone.
Source: +DVD Studio Pro user manual.+

The difference between chapter markers and dvd studio pro markers

Does anyone know what is the difference between chapter markers and dvd studio pro markers? I can not find anywhere on Google. Also in the tutorials I have seen, suggesting DVD Studio Pro markers, but it did not mention the chapter markers.
Thanks,

"Adding Chapter and Compression Markers to Your Sequence
Once you have your edited sequence or program finished, you can add markers to the sequence for use on DVD. Markers are reference points you can place within clips or sequences that identify specific frames. There are two kinds of markers you can add that directly relate to authoring a DVD—chapter markers and compression markers.
• Chapter markers allow DVD authoring applications to create a navigable chapter list for your exported QuickTime movie. Chapter markers force MPEG keyframes (known as I-frames) at their location, since the DVD specification requires an I-frame at each chapter point.
• Compression markers identify areas of abrupt change and include two types: those that are automatically inserted by Final Cut Pro at all edit points, and those you manually place in the clip or sequence. Like chapter markers, compression markers force I-frames at their location, although in this case it is for better quality encoding, and they are not used to create a chapter list.
Note: When you export a QuickTime movie, you have an option to export various kinds of markers, including compression, chapter, or DVD Studio Pro markers. *When you choose to export DVD Studio Pro markers, Final Cut Pro actually exports chapter markers and all compression markers.* This includes compression markers you set manually, as well as ones created automatically by Final Cut Pro at edit and transition points."
From the Final Cut Pro User Manual.
So, JS was right the first time

Import Avid xml chapter points for DVD Studio Pro

Hello-
We are an Avid based house (don't ask) but I am infiltrating with DVD Studio Pro. I need to find a way to import the exported xml file that Avid makes for chapter points. The lame Sonic/Avid burning software imports it with no problem. I tried but Studio Pro does not see the file (it is grayed out).
Please give me an easy way to have another reason to convince the powers that be to go Mac.
Thanks

You can import a marker list easily into DVDSP. This is explained on page 385 of the online DVDSP manual (under the Help menu). However, you'll need to strip out all the non-essential info from the Avid xml file to do this. The XML will be complex, and may have the timecodes in raw frame numbers, rather than HH:MM:SS:FF format. I have used a combination of Excel and Word to flip the data into tables and back, and use find and replace to get the data into the magic 2-column format.
There may be another option to export from the Avid that will give you more simplified data, such as an EDL or batch list, though these two options in FCP include everything but the markers.

Still Frames Exported from Final Cut Jitter in DVD Studio Pro

I'm on a Titanium Powerbook G4. I use Final Cut 3.0 and DVD Studio Pro 1.5. Within my film I have several 15 second clips that are each a compilation of a single frame repeated many times so as to get the look of a still picture on the screen. I exported my film as a F.C.P. movie and when I watch it in Quicktime everything appears fine (as it does when I play it from within F.C.P.). However, when I author the DVD with Studio Pro (tried it w/ iDVD also and received the same unwanted result)those clips "jitter" or shake back and forth so I get a blurry image instead of a still, clear image like in F.C.P.
I burn the DVD w/ the internal combo drive on my Powerbook. I have never had an issue w/ any DVD that I have editied, authored or burned on this computer or w/ these programs.
Any ideas?
Thanks, Ryan
Powerbook G4 Mac OS X (10.2.x) F.C.P. 3.0; DVD Studio Pro 1.5

Your answer is here:
http://discussions.apple.com/thread.jspa?threadID=675876&tstart=0

DVD STUDIO PRO JUST QUITS OR FREEZES

I have 3 firewire drives attached and when in DVD studio Pro 2.0, sometimes the programme freezes or simply quits when I am building a DVD
This problem has previously never occurred when on my PowerMac G4 when I had less memory installed.
Should I upgrade to a different version of DVDSP? Or is this simply a matter of having too many external drives attached?

If you qualify, you must upgrade to the Universal Binary version of DVDSP.
http://www.apple.com/universal/crossgrade/
Otherwise, it's a full price upgrade

Chapter markers created in DVD Studio Pro pause for a second on playback.

I have been using the FCP suite for quite some time and we author a lot of DVD's in DVD Studio Pro. We produce many DVD's which require chapter breaks. My problem is that, when the DVD's we produce are played back, on most players the DVD will pause for a second or so on each chapter break/marker. Is there a way to get around this problem? The playback of the DVD's is fine, but the pauses at every chapter break/marker are annoying for us & our clients.

Hi Nat
It sounds like you're setting each chapter marker to end jump to the next. This will cause the pause you describe - if you leave each chapter as 'not set' you should be able to play thru them no problem.
Cheers
B

Exporting Chapter Markers From FCP7 to Compressor for DVD Studio Pro

I put several chapter markers in a Final Cut Pro 7 sequence by hitting the "M" key a few times on the timeline.
I tried exporting the video with Compressor, both by using "Share" and "Send To Compressor."
When I load the post-Compressor video files into DVD Studio Pro, make a track, and look at the track timeline, the chapter markers are not there.
How do I send the video files from FCP7 to Compressor to DVDSP and have the chapter markers survive the journey?
(NOTE: I am not using Final Cut Pro X, where, I understand, that the problems with chapter markers are a whole different ballgame.)

When you hit m twice and get the marker window:
1. Make sure the marker is created on the timeline, not the clip;
2. you have to specify that it's a chapter marker. There's a pulldown or something to select it. It's NOT automatic.

First few video frames 'stuttering' and then DVD Studio Pro hangs

Hi, I wonder if anyone can assist me with this problem...
I've been using Final Cut Studio for some time, with no issues with DVD Studio Pro. Now, whenever I import video assets into DVD Studio Pro, and then run simulate to see how the video will look, the first few frames of the video appear to 'stutter' and then jam on the screen; the audio keeps running fine.
Eventually DVD Studio Pro hangs-up and I have to use Force Quit to get out. If I don't simulate but just go-ahead with burning a DVD, the program still hangs.
When I view the same video in Quicktime, it's fine so it does not appear to be the video file...
Has something gone wrong with DVD Studio Pro, with it's preferences or something else? Any advice on what I should do? I can no longer burn DVDs because of this!
Thanks.
PowerMac G5 2GHz Mac OS X (10.4.3) 4.5 GB RAM

That's the problem, I can't get to the stage of actually building a DVD. I've attached assets, go to burn, and then the program hangs. If I view the video in simulate, it see that the few few frames are not advancing, just sort of hanging there, repeating pver and over, then it hangs. Viewing the video in QT it seems fine.
Help! Anyone seen this problem? What should I do, I have to burn a DVD for Monday! Thanks.

FCP Pro Res Super 16mm -- Compressor -- DVD Studio Pro (Nightmare Workflow Critique)

Hello,
I figured I post here rather than the DVD Studio Pro forum; I've posted on Creative Cow as well but haven't gotten any responses yet.
Before I mention my problem, I'd like to mention that I've tried several types of compression methods and bitrates and unfortunately, my disk still freezes in my player, generally around the same area.
(I have two, minute long clips with Smoothcam there).
I'll try to be as specific about my work-flow as I can and I've posted the photos of my FCP and Compressor settings below.
30 Minutes. Super 16mm.
2K DPX Scans -- > Graded In Color --> Pro Res 4444 23.976 --> Sent To Compressor --> Mpeg 2 + AC3 --> Build & Format With DVD Studio Pro
I set blue compression markers at the start of each Smoothcam clip.
I've recompressed my footage without Smoothcam as well - with the same end result.
I've sent my timeline to Compressor and used both the 5.5-7 VBR setting and the 6.5 CBR settings (with everything under Frame Controls set to the highest quality).
(I've also used the 6.2-7.7 built in settings with the ninety-minute high quality preset).
I am using Sony DVD-R disks. 16X/1X. When I play them in my PS3, the film freezes at different points in the first two-three minutes - then skips ahead exactly to the same point in my film - about halfway.
I've set Chapter markers and it skips to the halfway one; from there it plays fine.
1. I wanted to ask if I should maybe export my entire sequence first through FCP (an .mov file) and try Compressing that?
(I've done this and the result is still the same)
2. Should I set it to Pro Res 422 HQ first?
(I've done this and the result is still the same)
3. Perhaps I should just try to Compressor with the 90Min-HQ setting without changing anything?
(I've done this and the result is still the same)
4. Should I remove the Smoothcam?
I'm currently compressing the entire sequence void of all Smoothcam.
When I bring the files into DVD Studio Pro, I see under preferences that Studio Pro also has VBR settings. Do those have any effect on my DVD encode? There is no CBR there - only VBR set from 5.5-7.
5. Is there anything I'm doing wrong with regards to my workflow? There are several options that may be causing this; I'm not sure if its the progressive footage to interlaced standard definition disk, or modifying field dominance, gop structure, etc.
Any help would be greatly (that's greatly) appreciated.
Thanks!
-Boris

My first impression is you're trying to make this too hard...
You have a high quality timeline which is downconverted to 1080, no problem. Once rendered, SmoothCam
should not represent a problem. If anything, SmoothCam will reduce the sudden movement that can cause problems. Any scenes where you have a high rate of change per frame (like in an explosion or a background of leaves flapping in the wind) should be marked with compression markers.
Export as a QT movie using sequence settings (include markers for DVDSP) so you have a completed source file for compression. I'm not aware of anything that will improve the quality beyond what is in the timeline, so current sequence settings are fine. Test this for playback issues.
If you are having playback problems with the sequence after export and compression, the most probable cause is excessively high bandwidth requirements. Try using the DVD: Best Quality 90 minutes preset. It generally produces a very good quality product. Any attempt to increase the quality will likely increase the bandwidth requirements that are the probable cause of the skipping.
While Sony is a big name, their DVD substrate is only mediocre. If you think the substrate is a problem, switch to Verbatim or JVC/Taiyo-Yuden.
If you are dissatisfied with the quality of the Compressor output, look into the Cinema Craft encoding products.
Hope this helps.

DVD Studio Pro skipping / freeze frame on chapter markers

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