SonicSDB,

Yes, that did the trick, all works perfectly now and guess what, this info was there in the online help file just as clear as day (it does help to read).

Anyway, that means I lose the ability to use the "Return" button, but I never use that button for ANY DVDs anyway, so nothings lost. I much prefer to have chapter and time info running correctly.

Love DVDA (it blows away DVDit!PE by a mile even with occasional hitches).

Thank you!

It may work "perfectly" for you, assuming you don't need or want a particular feature. However in the broader sense, if a key feature on most remotes, for example the all important return, doesn't function I think this points out the justification of the critcism some of us have voiced in what is suppose to be a "professional" grade DVD authoring application.

The analogy is like buying a car that was made in such a way to say the headlights work, but oh sorry, not if you have a passanger in the front seat. You should NOT be forced to make such silly choices.

RIDICULOUS!

It is not possible to have both. This is a limitation of the DVD spec. (I realize this may sound strange because they seem unrelated on the surface.) If you find a DVD authoring application or commercial DVD that allows use of the return button while maintaining display of chapters and time on players such as the Sony NS-755V, please let us know.

Perhaps a better question then WHO is writing the "specs", is it more a consortium of companies each marching to their own tune with several "specs" floating around, or something from the MPEG group acting similar to what the W3C does for HTML or something totally different

And please... anyone have a reference to these so-called specs? I haven't found anything yet on the web that seems 'official' say-all/ be all "specs" in the sense that everyone is/will/wants/needs to follow them. I guess what I'm really asking are we doing browser wars all over again only this time its with DVD players?

In order to adhere to DVD-Video specifications to have chapter numbers and time-code displayed on every DVD player, the track must be "one_sequential_PGC."

There are a variety of reference materials with this and other aspects of the specs available. The most popular and comprehensive is "DVD Demystified," by Jim Taylor. I would also recommend "DVD Authoring and Production," by Ralph LaBarge.

The Motion Picture Engineering Group as an example is comprised of representative from companies in the industry and others with a vested interest. Every specification for every technology has originated with the companies that produce the technology or who have a vested interest in its development. That is the very nature of Open Standards as opposed to proprietary standards. DVD is an Open Standard that anyone can use. The only requirement is that to obtain the engineering books on each part of the standards and to display the logo for the standard you must pay fees to the DVD Forum who are the administrators. Even those companies that support the DVD+RW Alliance participate in the DVD Forum.

At present, software that allows an author to utilize the entire feature set of the standards has a MSRP of $22K. Software such as DVDA utilizes some of those specifications and attempt to make the complexity of their use transparent to the author.

With a little more research you will discover that there is no "browser war" in existence today or on the horizon for DVD. The closest we came was the original DivX implementation (which was actually a variation of the DVD Forum specifications) but the market rejected that approach and it failed.

Unfortunately, DVD authoring is like golf; just because you can buy a set of clubs, it doesn't mean you're a pro. It takes research, training, and practice, practice, practice. Otherwise, it's just recreational fun, and there's nothing wrong with that. Just keep it in perspective.

Richard

So, am I reading you right Richard in that the DVD "specs" are about as useful as those offered by the W3C for HTML meaning that in effect they are close to meaningless and anyone can either follow them if they wish, or not if they wish as witness the millions upon millions of web pages that do NOT confirm to "specs" and may or may not 'work' in some browsers?

I'm just trying to understand. And if that's right, then what another fine mess. Meaning a remote button for example can or can't do X,Y or Z depending on the whims of whoever programmed the remote and also who authored the DVD.

No, you miss the point entirely.

DVD specifications are similar to the specifications for NTSC broadcast television. Sure, you can engineer whatever you want, but if it doesn't comply it will likely fail at transmission and fail at playback.

DVD players ALL follow the specifications. That's how they are able to playback any disc that adheres to those specifications, regardless of who's software authoring app was used to create them.

If you are disappointed at the structure of this industry, then perhaps you might find an alternative outlet as you are unlikely to change a billion dollar industry to suit your specific desires.

Again, spend some time researching what your discussing and you'll not only appear more informed, you will be.

"It is not possible to have both. This is a limitation of the DVD spec. (I realize this may sound strange because they seem unrelated on the surface.) If you find a DVD authoring application or commercial DVD that allows use of the return button while maintaining display of chapters and time on players such as the Sony NS-755V, please let us know."


Well, not to cause more trouble, but I tested a commercial DVD and guess what, I found that it not only used the "Return" button, but also displayed time and chapter info (as all commercial DVDs should).

What I found was that the "Return" button would allow me to go directly from say a menu with trailers or special feature listings, back to the main menu. So, that's kinda useful. Though I would still probably find other ways to do it, this IS a use for the button.

And, of course, to add fire to another posted controversy, the "Top Menu" and "Menu" buttons (on my Sony remote) also seem to allow me to traverse from a point in a video to either the "Main Menu" or "Chapter Menu". However, as we know, DVDA doesn't support this feature which is understandable considering its price point.

However, I do (still) hope that a future update will address this problem that seems to plague "Sony" DVD players, as they are about the most commonly found DVD player out there to be denied the complete list of options DVDA offers.

Thanks!

Again, the display of chapters and time-codes is NOT a function of programming per se. It is a function of the displayed track authored as a single Program Chain (PGC). This is a characteristic of the DVD-Video specifications.

Obviously there is still MUCH confussion. I ask AGAIN, WHO CAN POINT TO ANY agreeded on SPECS that say black on white what a specific menu action regarding chapters should be?

That is not to confuse the issue with what such actions MAY be. Is there anything or not carved in stone that says thou must do X,Y.Z? Nobody has as yet addressed this which is my point and in fact everything so far suggests these choices are more to do with hard wiring done by a specific manufacturer of a set top DVD player which may or not be supported by a consortium, ie like certain DVD players support specific media like DVD+RW/R while others support another media.

I found a few web sites and linked to them on my site, yet they seem to be more in the way of suggestions and not mandated specifications that EVERYONE confirms to.

That suggests the so-called specs are what I've said. SUGGESTIONS, or guidelines very similar to the W3C making recommendations as to what HTMl and XML 'should be', note NOT what they must be.

We're talking apples and oranges. I'm not referring to broadcast standards anything. Rather what SPECS are there or ARE THERE specs for special abilities of menu functions that apply across the board regardless who's DVD's remote you're using? Everyone has been all over the map on this and as far as I can tell is based what they say on THEIR experience only.

It all boils down to this: Should a DVD behave exactly the same as to how its remote control buttons act for common choices such as return, menu, top menu or is it really up in the air and it depends on which DVD set top player you're using?

That of course doesn't even address how the same DVD would play on a PC.

DigVid, did the return button work when playing a video? If so, which commercial DVD? Thanks.

Hello again SonicSDB,

"...did the return button work when playing a video? If so, which commercial DVD? Thanks."

One of the discs is "Minority Report". Let's say you start in the "Main Menu" and then select "Audio Setup". Well, once you're in "Audio Setup", you can push the "Return" button and it will take you back to the "Main Menu". It seems most DreamWorks DVDs do this and, of course, all functions "title, chapter and time" info do show on the DVD player, during the actual playing of the movie.

However, I have noticed that on DVDs where the "Return" button functions, in the menu areas (even the motion menu areas) only time info is displayed. One cannot show remaining time, title, or chapter info during the display of these "Return" capable menus (only during the showing of the actual movie).

This leads me to the intuitive conclusion that this is a complex request to ask of a authoring software anywhere near this price point (or even for many thousands more).

My point is that it IS possible to have both functions available on a DVD; NOT that I expect to be able to afford such authoring software, as I (at least) know that these sophisticated features come with a high price tag.

I still think DVD Architect is great and potentially the best DVD authoring software that I would currently desire. Just a few tweaks is all...

While you're watching the movie, what happens when you press the return button?

With DVD Architect, when in sub-menus, the return button takes you to the parent menu. Unchecking "Enable Go Up button in videos" only disables the return button in videos (not menus).

While watching a movie (with a DVD that uses the "Return" button) nothing happens. The only thing the "Return" button seems to do is get you from a submenu back to the "Main Menu".

Remember, with my Sony NS-755V I cannot use "Enable Go Up button in videos" and still have control over time/chapter info, so I keep it unchecked (currently) in DVD Architect. If this button works for other standalone players, that's great and I hope SoFo includes a fix for players like mine in future updates...

Thanks!

I understand your concern about this problem. However, it is not possible for us to "fix" it; it is not an issue with how we construct the DVD. It is an issue with the DVD player. Or more appropriately, an issue with other DVD players being overly lacks with respect to the DVD spec and thereby, making it possible.

You're right "fix" was the wrong choice of words, as there is nothing broken.

What I really wanted was for SoFo to be able to "add" the ability to isolate menu area functions so that "Return" button functions could be included on a DVD as well as time/chapter functions in other areas of the DVD (like the DVD Minority Report and many others do).

One design idea would be to somehow offer the "Enable go up buttons in videos" to be specific to individual "Page Properties" rather than in the global way it's handled now.

If that is beyond the scope of this product, then I understand completely...

- Thanks!