Novice DVD Studio Pro user - need few tips

Hi,
I've started with a task of creating a simple DVD with DVD Studio Pro 4. Task that has been shown a bit over my head for now.
Recently I created a DVD with iDVD and it worked nicely, but I wanted more hands on approach. I was supprised that DVD studio cant accept .m4v files and MPEG2 files. But in the program specs, in the Import FAQ section it says it can. So I don't know what video file to use.
Here are my biggest concerns when creating this DVD.
I have one menu. I have set a background photo for it, its 1920x1080 for 1080 HD video.
Should I go with max HD video, or use Standard Definition video instead?
I have already created my videos in m4v format. What do I need to do, so DVD Studio Pro 4 would read them? To mention this, I have converted them using VisualHub to MPEG-2, but DVD Studio Pro 4 refused to import them, clamming that they are not supported.
On that one menu, I want to have 6 buttons, that are actually a little pictures (stills from video, that I have already taken from video, and resized them in photoshop, and exported them as JPEG). How can I create buttons from those little JPEGS. One image for one button that will play one video.
In the end, I was thinking putting a little opening video before main menu showed. Video for about 5-6 seconds and then menu would show up. How can I do this? Is there some trick in Outline and Inspector that I should do? And also, what video (its tied with first question)?
I appreciate any help or reply. If you cant write everything down, please direct me to some tutorial or training video/site where I can get some answers.

You should be making m2vs (without audio in them, in other words not multiplexed) for SD DVDs (which is what you are going for it sounds like.) MPEG-4 is compressed so you wind up recompressing.
Use Pro Res to send out a self contained movie from FCP or send the timeline straight from Final Cut to Compressor an preset (or one that you make yourself.) I prefer sending out self-contained versions in case I need to re-rencode or want to make items for various formats.
Movie setting up Compressor is [here|http://www.dvdstepbystep.com/compressor.mov]
Now there are geenerally two types of DVDs - SD (which is pretty much everything out there, except for blu-ray and the defunct HD DVD) and the HD ones. SD discs will play on anything for the most part and you can use HD video in making SD discs. When converting from HD sources, set up Compressor to tweak frame controls for resizing to better. Make sure aspect is 16:9 and when you put in the track set it for 16:9 Letterbox, not 16:9 pan and scan or pan and sacn letterbox.
As to menus check [this thread out|http://discussions.apple.com/message.jspa?messageID=11253338#11253338] for a real quick overview - sounds like you would probably want to composite the menu in Motion.
As to starting the movie, set the first play to the clip you want (which is a good idea in general - start with some video and not and menu) then set the jump from the track to your main menu.
Check out the bits and pieces posted [here|http://dvdstepbystep.com] there are alot of little things I put in there which can help you along and narrow down some things where you may have questions.
Also looking at the tutorials and manuals will also give you alot of the information, but the above should jumpstart you and help get you past some of the intial hurdles.

Similar Messages

Provide Feedback for the DVD Studio Pro User Manual and Onscreen Help Here

The Apple documentation team for professional video applications would like to know what you think about the DVD Studio Pro 4 Help documentation (available in the Help menu):
• How often do you use the DVD Studio Pro Help documentation? Under what circumstances do you use it most?
• How do you find what you're looking for in DVD Studio Pro Help? For example: table of contents, index, skimming, PDF links, PDF search?
• What do you like most about DVD Studio Pro Help?
• What is missing?
• Are there any particular examples of other manuals or documentation that you consider to be good models for future editions of the DVD Studio Pro User Manual and onscreen help?
• By what method do you usually learn a new application? For example: provided tutorials and manuals, third-party tutorials or books, training classes?
• What do you think is the most difficult feature/concept to grasp in DVD Studio Pro?
• What's the most frustrating experience you've had with the DVD Studio Pro Help documentation?
• Do you prefer electronic or print documentation?
• Are there any other delivery methods or media you think we should explore?
• What size computer display do you typically use to view the onscreen help? For example: 15-inch, 17-inch, 20-inch, 23-inch, or 30-inch?
• What resolution is the computer display set to when you view onscreen help? For example: 1024 x 768, 1280 x 854, or 1920 x 1200 pixels?
• Do you use multiple computer displays?

• How often do you use the DVD Studio Pro Help
documentation? Under what circumstances do you use it
most?
I'm working with DVSP for 4 months, so everytime I don't know how to do something I use the documentation. As the times passes I almost don't need it so often.
• How do you find what you're looking for in DVD
Studio Pro Help? For example: table of contents,
index, skimming, PDF links, PDF search?
PDF Search, but I think is not the best way to search because it shows too much useless results.
• What do you like most about DVD Studio Pro Help?
It is powerful and easy to use.
• What is missing?
A way of editing the DVD Project Source Code. Let me explain: in some big projects I just need to change the Jump from "button_1" to "button_2", and to do that I need to find the button under my menus and choose it from a list. If I can just type "2" instead of "1" it will be faster and error-free.
Advancing in this idea, if I can open the entire link list as a Source Code in TextEdit, I can see all the buttons and link all of them without seeking for each on menus.
Today the Connections Tab helps a lot, but I still need to find the button un the menus. With 5 or 4 menus is easy, but sometimes I have 50...
• Are there any particular examples of other manuals
or documentation that you consider to be good models
for future editions of the DVD Studio Pro User Manual
and onscreen help?
The OSX help is great!
• By what method do you usually learn a new
application? For example: provided tutorials and
manuals, third-party tutorials or books, training
classes?
Manuals, third-party tutorials and discussions foruns.
• What do you think is the most difficult
feature/concept to grasp in DVD Studio Pro?
• What's the most frustrating experience you've had
with the DVD Studio Pro Help documentation?
Using scripts. It could be better with a lot of examples. "To do that, try this one".
• Do you prefer electronic or print documentation?
In electronic is easy to find things.
• Are there any other delivery methods or media you
think we should explore?
• What size computer display do you typically use to
view the onscreen help? For example: 15-inch,
17-inch, 20-inch, 23-inch, or 30-inch?
I use AppleCinema 20
• What resolution is the computer display set to when
you view onscreen help? For example: 1024 x 768, 1280
x 854, or 1920 x 1200 pixels?
1650x1050
• Do you use multiple computer displays?
No.

DVD Studio Pro Newbie Needs Help!

I have a presentation deadline approaching and I need help desperately. I created my presentation using Keynote 3 (800*600 slides) and exported it to a Quicktime movie using H.264 compression at 29.97 fps (high quality settings). I then proceeded to use iDVD 6 and imported the Quicktime movie and created a simple menu using the templates provided.
I saved the entire project as a disk image and used the DVD player to check the disk image file. The quality of the DVD disk image file looked nothing like the original Quicktime movie. The images and text looked blurry and unprofessional.
I've spend quite some time on the iDVD and Keynote discussion forums and can't find a solution to my problem. The conclusion I've come is that the mpeg-2 encoder that iDVD 6 uses is problematic.
I don't want to start using DVD Studio Pro but I will in order to preserve the quality of my original Keynote presentation. So here are my questions...thank you in advance for your help guys....I really need it:
- I plan on playing the DVD on a 42" Plasma display at a sales office and also distributing it to potential buyers. Are my Keynote export settings optimal for iDVD use? Should I be using H.264 @ 29.97?
- If I must use DVDSP then what export/compression settings should I use in Keynote to preserve the quality? Keynote doesn't give me an option to use mpeg-2. I have ffmpegX so I can encode different formats...just need to know the correct one.
- Keynote exports separate audio and video files. I combined them using Quicktime. Is it possible to use the combined file in DVDSP or do they need to be separate.
Thanks for taking the time to read this post. Any help would be greatly appreciated. Also, if you have any reading material pertaining to this matter please provide link.
~Eddie~
PowerBook G4 Mac OS X (10.4.5)

You can use a mov file that contains both audio and video. DVD Studio Pro will compress the mov itself. I am not overly familiar with the codec H.264 but either way its a codec that compresses the video, and if I am right that codec is used for compressing video to web based file sizes, which means heavy compression. When I create DVD material I use M2V format which is what DVD SP wants anyways so it cuts time and drive space in half. If you export an mov and import it into DVD SP, DVD SP compresses the file again which is M2V. Now you have two files, with twice the compression time. When creating M2V the only thing that you need o be aware of is the bit rate, which needs to be adjusted pending the duration of the video. Use 29.97 if you are NTSC and full frame rate, which you should be.
If you can not create an M2V file with associated aiff audio file, than export your QT file as uncompressed or as a QT Movie. The file itself will be huge but DVD SP will compress it properly.
I hope this helps

Where is the DVD Studio Pro User's Manual????

I just bought Final Cut Pro 6 Upgrade and NO user's manual for anything other than Final Cut Pro. Does anyone know why they don't include anything other than a PDF of the owner's manuals for Motion, DVD Studio, etc. And where can you buy a hard copy of the DVD Studio manual? Nobody wants to read 655 pages off of a computer screen.

Sometimes they are for sale on eBay.
The reason is likely that it is costly to print and to ship

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.+

How do I make a video loop in DVD Studio Pro?

Hello good folks,
I've been using DVD Studio Pro for a few years, but none of my clients requested a video loop ever before, therefore, I don't know how to do it. In the project I'm actually working on, my client wants me to activate that function in the final product; do you guys have any suggestion in this matter?
Thank you very much in advance

Have a look at this article (see steps 9-10)
http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=93812
Good luck!

DVD Studio Pro vs. Adobe Encore

Hi folks!
I've been working now with DVDSP for nine years and it ALWAYS did a perfect job, no crashes, no bugs, no strange behaviour on burned discs, no trouble importing .txt-files for subtitles; really a perfect piece of software with awesome opportunities!!!
The ONLY thing that bugs me is it's incapability of authoring Blu-Ray and we're
getting more and more clients asking for this! So my boss told me to look around and find out which application can author Blu-Rays.
I came across Adobe Encore and Sonic's Scenarist. On the Encore-forums there
seems to be a lot of complaints about crashes, bugs, strange behaviour etc. So I'm kinda wondering if that would be the right tool. Or have you guys heard different (positive) things about Encore???
My Question: what do YOU do, when faced with Blu-Ray? I know, Final Cut has an option to turn/burn the content of the timeline into a Blu-Ray-Disc. But you of course have no complex authoring options like scripts and stories. And most of all, you can't view the disc on a MAC (yet)!
So how do you guys deal with Blu-Ray-Jobs?
Ever since HD DVD was "killed", I was waiting for Apple to announce Blu-Ray capabilities for DVD Studio Pro!!! I really hope they won't miss out on it!!!
Let me know what you think, please. This would be very interesting for all DVD Studio Pro users, I guess
Until then, happy authoring!
Cheers,
Steven R.

Encore is useless for BD. You want to look at Netblender's tool:
http://www.netblender.com/main/

I am programming a DVD-Rom in DVD Studio Pro 4 and need to display and open pdf files, any suggestions?

I am programming a DVD-Rom in DVD Studio Pro 4 and need to display and open pdf files, any suggestions?

http://documentation.apple.com/en/dvdstudiopro/usermanual/index.html#chapter=22% 26section=9%26tasks=true

Need 101 course for DVD Studio Pro

I have a 5 minute rendered file with video in 1920x1080. I have it both passed through Compressor and as a 46 GB Quicktime uncompressed movie. I need to have this on DVD by mid June so I'm sort of in a rush. What would be the best and quickest way to learn how to use DVD Studio Pro for a very simple DVD, just a full screen photo with PLAY button and maybe some music and the movie itself? I would use iDVD but I was told it might not handle the HD. Then I'd need to know how to use iDVD.
I used to use DVD Studio Pro but when I upgraded I was no longer able to navigate the new interface (that and it's been a while).
I also dislike the templates in iDVD as well as DVD Studio Pro.
Thank you
Shelley

>I would use iDVD but I was told it might not handle the HD
You DO know that DVD is a standard definition format ... don't you? If you want to make a disc that will play in DVD players, it has to be standard definition content. Your HD footage will need to be downscaled to SD either in Compressor (recommended) or in DVD Studio Pro, if you let it do the encoding.
You can burn an HD DVD, but it will only play on later model Macs and a couple of (now obsolete) Toshiba HD DVD players.
Your other option for HD content on optical disc is Blu-ray.
-DH

Do I need DVD Studio Pro?

I've made two different slide shows that have taken hours to put together.
I can play them through my Laptop and Epson Digital Projector with good results, but when I try to burn a DVD it looks like sh*t.
Q. To get good DVDs, do I need to upgrade software?
And, If so.
Is DVD Studio Pro the right choice?

To answer the question of why retail DVDs look so good... because they have more money at their disposal. You don't really think these are compressed with a program included with a $79 suite? Or even DVDSP. Commercial DVDs typically use a hardware encoder. And they ain't cheap.
In any case, we would need a better defination than "looks like sh*t". Color? Transistions? Pixelated? What resolution are you using? Next, are you using any motion (Ken Burns effect) on the images. If not, you should, even if only a little. DV was developed for moving images, not stills. I create slideshows fairly regularly with acceptable reuslts. Either we need to find something in your workflow, or maybe you do have too high an expectation. This may provide some insights into the complexities of a DVD:
http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=24485
Mike

How come my dvd studio pro 3 is not working properly with leopard? Need help!, How come my dvd studio pro 3 is not working properly with leopard? Need help!

I recently installed os leopard on my power MAC G5 and my DVD studio pro 3 application is not working properly as it used to be. I was unable to create motion menu and build the dvd properly. Then I deleted and reinstall dvd studio pro 3, but it did not solve the problems. What should I do?

I have a sneaking suspicion it won't work in 10.5.x, possibly because of the version of Quicktime...
System Requirements:
Mac OS X v10.3.2
733 MHz or faster PowerPC processor (G4 minimum) and AGP graphics card
256 MB of RAM (512 MB recommended)
20 GB available disk space
8 MB of video memory (32 MB recommended)
QuickTime 6.5
DVD drive required for installation
I think your going to need a dual boot Mac with 10.4.x on another drive or partition.

Do I need Soundtrack Pro, Motion 2, and DVD Studio Pro 4?

Do I need Soundtrack Pro, Motion 2, and DVD Studio Pro 4 to learn Final Cut Pro, or can I use the basic package and upgrade later?

can I use the basic package and upgrade later?<<</div>
What "basic package" are you referring to? FCP is only available as part of Final Cut Studio, which includes ALL of the apps you mention ... unless, of course, you purchase a used copy of FCP alone.
-DH

Non - admin users and DVD Studio Pro

I discovered a problem with DVD Studio Pro 4.0.1 trying to burn a dvd from a non-administrator and managed user. This is in a lab with students so we try to keep them out from changing administrator settings.
The problem is once the DVD is made and they go to build it, the assets won't encode. In particular any of the templates that they use. I had to log the student in as an administrator in order to build and format a dvd (They do have permissions set to burn dvds on the computers)
I can't seem to find anything about this, does anyone know or have experienced a similar problem and been able to solve it?

I am not even sure if this could be the solution or not, but have you tried messing around with your preferences.
In the Destinations Tab, there is a setting for Encoding:
You can specify the Path:
This is set to my Users/me/Library/ ....etc
Maybe try to set it to a different path?
Not sure if that will help, but just thought id try.
Maybe hit the Encoding Tab and select Background Encoding so it doesn't do it on the Build.
Let us know how it goes.

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.

Novice DVD Studio Pro user - need few tips

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