Superimposing Time for DVD playback

I want to make a DVD with the project's time indicator superimposed on the video playback, so that the director can make notes, referencing the cuts he wants to critique by minuetes:seconds:frames into the playback. Is there any easy way to do this?

James,
If you wish more control over the TimeCode display, you can use the TimeCode Effect in AfterEffects (if you have it) to change colors, fonts and more.
Hunt

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    ID_DVD_TITLE_1_ANGLES=1
    ID_DVD_TITLE_2_CHAPTERS=5
    ID_DVD_TITLE_2_ANGLES=1
    ID_DVD_TITLE_3_CHAPTERS=5
    ID_DVD_TITLE_3_ANGLES=1
    ID_DVD_TITLE_4_CHAPTERS=5
    ID_DVD_TITLE_4_ANGLES=1
    ID_DVD_TITLE_5_CHAPTERS=5
    ID_DVD_TITLE_5_ANGLES=1
    ID_DVD_TITLE_6_CHAPTERS=2
    ID_DVD_TITLE_6_ANGLES=1
    ID_DVD_TITLE_7_CHAPTERS=2
    ID_DVD_TITLE_7_ANGLES=1
    ID_DVD_TITLE_8_CHAPTERS=4
    ID_DVD_TITLE_8_ANGLES=1
    ID_DVD_TITLE_9_CHAPTERS=2
    ID_DVD_TITLE_9_ANGLES=1
    ID_DVD_TITLE_10_CHAPTERS=2
    ID_DVD_TITLE_10_ANGLES=1
    ID_DVD_TITLE_11_CHAPTERS=2
    ID_DVD_TITLE_11_ANGLES=1
    ID_DVD_TITLE_12_CHAPTERS=2
    ID_DVD_TITLE_12_ANGLES=1
    ID_DVD_TITLE_13_CHAPTERS=5
    ID_DVD_TITLE_13_ANGLES=1
    ID_DVD_TITLE_14_CHAPTERS=2
    ID_DVD_TITLE_14_ANGLES=1
    ID_DVD_TITLE_15_CHAPTERS=2
    ID_DVD_TITLE_15_ANGLES=1
    ID_DVD_TITLE_16_CHAPTERS=2
    ID_DVD_TITLE_16_ANGLES=1
    ID_DVD_TITLE_17_CHAPTERS=2
    ID_DVD_TITLE_17_ANGLES=1
    ID_DVD_TITLE_18_CHAPTERS=2
    ID_DVD_TITLE_18_ANGLES=1
    ID_DVD_TITLE_19_CHAPTERS=2
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    ID_DVD_TITLE_2_LENGTH=1412.600
    ID_DVD_TITLE_3_LENGTH=1412.600
    ID_DVD_TITLE_4_LENGTH=1411.934
    ID_DVD_TITLE_5_LENGTH=1406.600
    ID_DVD_TITLE_6_LENGTH=1271.066
    ID_DVD_TITLE_7_LENGTH=483.033
    ID_DVD_TITLE_8_LENGTH=740.000
    ID_DVD_TITLE_9_LENGTH=279.533
    ID_DVD_TITLE_10_LENGTH=260.033
    ID_DVD_TITLE_11_LENGTH=203.100
    ID_DVD_TITLE_12_LENGTH=591.300
    ID_DVD_TITLE_13_LENGTH=573.033
    ID_DVD_TITLE_14_LENGTH=218.166
    ID_DVD_TITLE_15_LENGTH=185.333
    ID_DVD_TITLE_16_LENGTH=51.533
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    ID_DVD_CURRENT_TITLE=1
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    ID_AUDIO_ID=128
    ID_AID_128_LANG=en
    audio stream: 1 format: ac3 (stereo) language: fr aid: 129.
    ID_AUDIO_ID=129
    ID_AID_129_LANG=fr
    audio stream: 2 format: ac3 (stereo) language: es aid: 130.
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    ID_AID_130_LANG=es
    audio stream: 3 format: ac3 (stereo) language: en aid: 131.
    ID_AUDIO_ID=131
    ID_AID_131_LANG=en
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    subtitle ( sid ): 0 language: en
    ID_SUBTITLE_ID=0
    ID_SID_0_LANG=en
    subtitle ( sid ): 1 language: fr
    ID_SUBTITLE_ID=1
    ID_SID_1_LANG=fr
    subtitle ( sid ): 2 language: es
    ID_SUBTITLE_ID=2
    ID_SID_2_LANG=es
    subtitle ( sid ): 3 language: pt
    ID_SUBTITLE_ID=3
    ID_SID_3_LANG=pt
    subtitle ( sid ): 4 language: en
    ID_SUBTITLE_ID=4
    ID_SID_4_LANG=en
    subtitle ( sid ): 5 language: es
    ID_SUBTITLE_ID=5
    ID_SID_5_LANG=es
    subtitle ( sid ): 6 language: pt
    ID_SUBTITLE_ID=6
    ID_SID_6_LANG=pt
    subtitle ( sid ): 7 language: es
    ID_SUBTITLE_ID=7
    ID_SID_7_LANG=es
    subtitle ( sid ): 8 language: pt
    ID_SUBTITLE_ID=8
    ID_SID_8_LANG=pt
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    CHAPTERS: 00:00:00,00:00:45,00:11:29,00:22:35,00:23:21,
    ID_AUDIO_ID=128
    ID_VIDEO_ID=0
    MPEG-PS file format detected.
    ID_AUDIO_ID=131
    ID_AUDIO_ID=130
    ID_AUDIO_ID=129
    ID_SUBTITLE_ID=3
    ID_SUBTITLE_ID=2
    ID_SUBTITLE_ID=0
    ID_SUBTITLE_ID=6
    ID_SUBTITLE_ID=5
    ID_SUBTITLE_ID=4
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    ERROR[ogle_nav]: ifoRead_VTS_ATRT faild
    libdvdread: Error cracking CSS key for /VIDEO_TS/VIDEO_TS.VOB (0x000003a0)
    libdvdread: Error cracking CSS key for /VIDEO_TS/VTS_01_0.VOB (0x00005c80)
    libdvdread: Error cracking CSS key for /VIDEO_TS/VTS_01_1.VOB (0x00018120)!!
    libdvdread: Error cracking CSS key for /VIDEO_TS/VTS_02_0.VOB (0x00018360)
    libdvdread: Error cracking CSS key for /VIDEO_TS/VTS_02_1.VOB (0x00018380)!!
    libdvdread: Error cracking CSS key for /VIDEO_TS/VTS_03_0.VOB (0x002379c0)
    libdvdread: Error cracking CSS key for /VIDEO_TS/VTS_03_1.VOB (0x002379e0)!!
    libdvdread: Error cracking CSS key for /VIDEO_TS/VTS_04_0.VOB (0x0029c000)
    libdvdread: Error cracking CSS key for /VIDEO_TS/VTS_04_1.VOB (0x0029c020)!!
    libdvdread: Error cracking CSS key for /VIDEO_TS/VTS_05_0.VOB (0x002c21e0)
    libdvdread: Error cracking CSS key for /VIDEO_TS/VTS_05_1.VOB (0x002c2200)!!
    libdvdread: Error cracking CSS key for /VIDEO_TS/VTS_06_0.VOB (0x002fe7e0)
    libdvdread: Error cracking CSS key for /VIDEO_TS/VTS_06_1.VOB (0x002fe800)!!
    libdvdread: Error cracking CSS key for /VIDEO_TS/VTS_07_0.VOB (0x0032ce60)
    libdvdread: Error cracking CSS key for /VIDEO_TS/VTS_07_1.VOB (0x0032ce80)!!
    libdvdread: Error cracking CSS key for /VIDEO_TS/VTS_08_0.VOB (0x0035d560)
    libdvdread: Error cracking CSS key for /VIDEO_TS/VTS_08_1.VOB (0x0035d580)!!
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    Last edited by sa (2008-05-30 01:19:27)

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    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]

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    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]

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