Way overpriced? - and you expect it to be better than Reel DVD costing a great deal more? Other manufacturers have been known to charge as much as DVDA for an AC3 encoder alone ....

Constructive criticism is always welcome - and yes, end actions will be a great addition and many requests for this and other improvements have been noted by Sofo ...

As philfort pointed out though, many features that you think are missing are there once you know the program.

If you're a real Doctor, I hope your diagnoses are more considered ; )

Did you read the manual? Or are you a troll?


Andy

**1) Yes, you can change the order of button selection. Look under "button" in the help.

I've read the entire help manual and the only thing I could find on ordering buttons has to do with how they appear not the order that happens when the viewer presses the arrow keys on their remote control. You can, however, change the order of DVDA's toolbar buttons. DVDA will also allow you to put buttons on top of each other and change the order in that respect, but it doesn't seem to affect the actual order of the finished video except that the first one is the default button when the menu/screen is displayed. I don't see a way to change the tab order.

I'm not sure I'm willing to be as condescending, but I can sure relate to the idea of being disappointed. I too hope the next release adds some of the missing features that are in products that cost a fraction as much. I am a Vegas faithful, so I am hopeful. They've always come through in the past.

Tom

see here:

http://www.sonicfoundry.com/forums/ShowMessage.asp?MessageID=176451&Page=0


Also in the help index, there is a "change order" entry under "buttons" (I don't remember the exact terms, but it was quick to find).

I too am a Vegas faithful, but I am disappointed in DVDA, maybe because I expected to have the basic functionality found in Ulead DVD MF. The navigation from scene select menus is a well documented problem on these forums, so I cannot use DVDA in its current form as I need to navigate exactlyas DVD MF does. Also the interlacing artifacts on some text and back ground jitter is also unacceptable, yet DVD MF has no such problem.

Don't get me wrong, If these problems plus the end actions etc mentioned in this forum were fixed, I would be very happy. I still use only Vegas 4 for editing etc, and encoding, but have to stick with DVD MF as most of my home movies etc neeed menu navigation that works, to take advantage of DVD's random access.

Maybe because Iam not a professional or as creative as other people here, but I just need these basics PLUS all the other very good things about DVDA, so I am really hoping that the next version does all this. I have spent a lot of money on this package( I'm in Australia), but I keep hoping. Don't be too harsh on those of us who comment on various aspects of DVDA that are not perfect. If I don't or can't use all the other good features of DVDA, then does that mean that my opinion does not count? Like others??

Sorry, it still doesn't work (at least in preview mode). If I press the forward and back functions until the buttons are number 1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9 it still doesn't move through them in that order when the arrow keys are pressed on the remote. It still does its own order. For example, I have two rows of buttons one on top of the other. The lowest number one is the default one, as expected, but when I press the right arrow it moves across the top row then jumps down to the arrow (which is the next thing moving across rather than jumping to the first item in the second row which is the next thing in the number sequence. The SOFO response in the thread you referenced seems to be just referring to how to set the default button. If this is supposed to work then it must be a bug because I tried it a number of times and it doesn't seem to work as one would expect.

Thanks,

Tom

You're right, I was mistaken, it doesn't work.

The default button thing does work though. But it doesn't use the rest of the ordering for anything.

Philfort,

No problem. I forgive you :)

Tom

Hey Phil, thanks for your condescending and yet helpful reply.

First off Phil: I bought the software, that gives me the right to say anything I please about the product . . . that's how capitalism in a free market works.

Second thing Phil: No perhaps I have not used this software as long as you have. Perhaps I have not found all the answers yet, as you apparently have. That takes time, granted.

Third thing: You scold me for criticizing DVDA. Funny but didn’t I start out my message saying this:

This program shows so much potential . . . <snip>
Built in Encoder - Good.
Built in previewer - Good.
Some other stuff - Good.
Motion Menus - Good.
Animated buttons – Good

So I guess in your world if I list good and bad, ONLY the bad counts?

Fourth thing: I missed the Video button on the media properties screen. My bad. Thanks for the pointer to the right location. Guess I got confused when the GUI went to another screen. Sure would be nice to have a context right click menu that said “ new video link please “, right from the layout screen. Maybe next version.

Fifth thing: My comment was that I didn’t like the principal that a text object CAN NOT be a link object. Why not? All objects that are valid buttons should be able to link to content. I am forced to drag a video clip to the project, then turn off image and place that as my link. But if I’m just in a layout design mood and I place down some text that I later decide I want to link that to video, I have to bring a new link onto the page and replace the text only object. Seems silly to me. Heck even DVD-It SE can do that.

Sixth thing: No you can not edit any aspect of a link after the fact, because the link pathing in DVDA is very limited. Since there are no NEXT or END actions other than “go back to where I came from” your very limited on options. For instance, how do I tell DVDA to play a sequence of video files “back to back”. I have found no way to do this. How do I tell it to play a video, then play a still frame for 5 seconds, then go back to whence I came. Can you. If so, please inform me, as I’m all ears.

Seventh thing: I can not find any way to reorder the button priority. It seems reading the forums that others beside me are having the same problem. It appears that the order is set as links are added. If I move things around I can not reorder the “remote button order”. If there is some magic bullet I am missing please let me know.

Eight thing: If you can’t understand my other comments, it must be your problem if all you can reply is that it’s “my misunderstanding”. Phil, my comments weren’t rocket science.

Perhaps if you were a little more civil, and less of a reactionary in your reply to my comments, I would not have had to take on my current tone as a reply. I never attacked you in my comments so why do you feel you have to attack me with your comments. Food for thought, Phil.

-David

QUOTE:
Before you go criticizing the software, how much time have you spent using it? Not very long, it sounds like.

1) Yes, you can change the order of button selection. Look under "button" in the help.
2) Yes, you can edit any aspect of a link after the fact. Click the object tab on the right.
3) You don't add links to text, you add a link, then change the text

I don't really understand your other comments, but it's probably just your misunderstanding.

Hello Peter,

My exact comment was:
MY QUOTE:
I had hoped this would be closer to Reel DVD in abilities, with a better GUI.

YOUR QUOTE:
Way overpriced? - and you expect it to be better than Reel DVD costing a great deal more?

____________

I don't see any comment there stating I expect it to better than Reel DVD. I had hoped that it would have had better pathing than it does have. From that standpoint, Reel DVD is far more capable. And since Reel DVD v3 is $699.00 and Vegas +DVD lists for $999 and sells for about $699 then how is Reel DVD "costing a great deal more"?

-David

Direct Quote:

"Reel DVD is far more capable. And since Reel DVD v3 is $699.00 and Vegas +DVD lists for $999 and sells for about $699 then how is Reel DVD "costing a great deal more"?"

Vegas + DVD is more than a DVD authoring tool - far more. If you bought Vegas + DVD only for it's DVD authoring capabilities, with no intention of using Vegas, you mislead yourself into thinking you were getting something you didn't. I have been unable to find any information that suggests that DVD-A has greater capabilities than are actually present. It would seem then, that a lack of planning on your part, coupled with an inability to follow directions, culminated in you buying the wrong product for your needs - try to be more careful next time.

Andy

I don't see any comment there stating I expect it to better than Reel DVD. I had hoped that it would have had better pathing than it does have. From that standpoint, Reel DVD is far more capable. And since Reel DVD v3 is $699.00 and Vegas +DVD lists for $999 and sells for about $699 then how is Reel DVD "costing a great deal more"?

I'll have to disagree with you here. Reel DVD DOES cost a great deal more than DVDA. You are comparing Vegas + DVD to Reel DVD. You need to use the DIFFERENCE between Vegas and Vegas + DVD or $200. $699 for Reel is a WHOLE LOT more than $200 for DVDA.

There sure seems to be a very negative personal attitude on this forum thread.

Does anyone know how to reply without direct personal attacks?

Andy's smart-aleck comments make good argument that the Net Culture is lacking of the social graces and is doomed.

I will leave now as it is pointless to continue this discussion. You may all now jump up and down on my poor, illiterate, bad decision making, manual ignoring body. . .

. . . start jumping NOW! That's it, keep in step. . .

-David

QUOTE:
<snip. . .It would seem then, that a lack of planning on your part, coupled with an inability to follow directions, culminated in you buying the wrong product for your needs - try to be more careful next time.

Andy>

This FORUM in general is more fiesty than say the Vegas forum. It seems a small handful of posters are overly defensive and protective of SoFo. Anyone making even constructive criticism of the application's weaknesses is subject to personal attack. Just consider them for what they are... HOTHEADS.

To their credit SoFo employees have taken their lumps probably in part because they know DVD-A was a disappointment to many of its loyal customer base who are waiting to see what version two fixes and improves. SoFo DOES listen and many suggestions first mentioned in these forums do get added to future versions. Those are called UPGRADES. Some people on the other hand expect additional features as part of a patch. Don't hold your breath. That isn't how the software biz works.

"3) You don't add links to text, you add a link, then change the text."

What this means - I find - is that being hyperlink minded....I want to create a link that goes to where I want it to go (like to the "home page") versus just going back "up" one page.

"Does anyone know how to reply without direct personal attacks?"

I just kicked myself in the stomach!!!

Can I personally atack myself????

Absolutely... I like self-deprecating humor.

Too many here take themselves too seriously.

You know what has happened here good ol' discussion about a NEW product. Yes DVDA (IMO) needs some work. But one way the SoFo peeps find out about potential upgrades is through these forums, so let the ideas flow.

RogB steps up onto Soap Box:
Just because I like the color green does not mean that we all like the color green. Now that might be an over simplification to the products but you know maybe the DR. (not picking on ya) likes the color green but would like a little more blue added for him to like it even more.

I think for $200 extra DVDA has great authoring abilities, and nowhere did I read that DVDA is a menu maker first than an authoring program. Yes, I have some posts about the program not doing stuff that I want but that is typical with everything you might buy. All I see at the start of this thread is a person that wants more out of the product, so that it will be used more for their application. Nothing more!

RogB steps down from Soap Box

I just wanted to give a positive response regarding DVDA. I've used impression dvd pro, dvdit and reel dvd. I have found that DVDA beats them all.. I've recently authored project that spanned over 2 discs and i wanted to have the 2nd disc automatically continue with the main feature... Using the introduction media i was able to do this, and after i had did the scene selection and inserted the chapters, i was able to skip through during the 2nd disc like the first.... DVDA was smart enough to use the same chapters for the introduction media..

Impression dvd didn't support widescreen menus for widescreen projects, a fundamental flaw that still exists and 5.1 previewing crashed too often. Reel dvd does not support 5.1 dolby digital, DVDA does. As soon as DVDA supports end actions, menus that can compare to hollywood productions can be produced.

4 cents.

"Reel dvd does not support 5.1 dolby digital"

ReelDVD does support 5.1 dolby files, it can't create them (only a 2 channel encoder), but it does accept them. DVD-A by itself can create a 5.1 dolby file, but you don't have any control from within DVD-A for mixing the channels.

There are certainly some nice features with DVD-A, but it lacks a lot of things that ReelDVD provides (multiple audio streams, multiple subtitle streams, linking of movie assets, far greater button and menu interactivity, faster compiling engine to name a few). I think Encore from Adobe will be the catalyst to push the authoring envelop even further. It is tightly integrated with Premiere Pro/Photoshop/After Affects--and you can get them all including Audition as a packaged group for under $800. Encore provides as good, if not better, abilities for menu creation than DVD-A, multiple audio and subtitle streams, greater control of end user actions(play all vs play one), dual layer support and CSS, greater button action control (switch audio or subtitles from menu as an example), etc.

The dvd authoring environment is heating up, and that can only mean more fully featured apps for us, at lower price points. Hopefully the next upgrade of DVD-A stays with the competition.

Jim