Control after scene completion

googull wrote on 3/21/2003, 10:56 AM
My DVD menu is composed of several MPEG clips. I need to be able to "chain" one to the next so that when the first video completes it starts the next instead of returning back to the main menu. I want to control the stream of execution to another video or a specific menu. Is there anyway to designate where to go after a video completes? - Chain to next video, return to main menu or specific menu page, etc?

I understand that I can re-render all of my MPEGS in a single giant MPEG and then use scene selection menus to accomplish this but this messy approach and is contrary to my need to work with MPEGs in manageable (smaller) sizes. Though I read earlier that even in this case the return upon completion isn't the calling menu but the main menu. Isn't there a "return to" specifier someplace?


Comments

jetdv wrote on 3/21/2003, 11:26 AM
End actions are not available in DVDA. The current "work-around" is to create a MUSIC DVD which does allow you to place video clips and play them in sequence.
googull wrote on 3/21/2003, 11:56 AM
Yes, the Help file indicates the following:

"Here's a trick for you: if you want to create a series of videos that play sequentially, you can create a "music compilation" made up of video files. Voila!"

The penalty for doing this that you no longer have the clips as DVD menu items and you lose the ability to insert chapters. If one ALSO adds them as menu items the space requirement on the DVD is doubled. DVD Architect doesn't treat linked videos via a music compilation the same way it does adding multiple copies of the same video to menus. It is an entirely new instance.

I understand that end actions aren't available in DVDA but how do the other products accomplish this? ULEAD's DVD Movie Factory and Sonic's MyDVD both default to "play the next video" instead of returning to the "main" menu when a clip is complete. Is this just a DEFAULT that Sonic Foundry has chosen?
jetdv wrote on 3/21/2003, 12:48 PM
how do the other products accomplish this?

They have end action control!
BillyBoy wrote on 3/21/2003, 1:15 PM
Which is why a lot of people are critical of this unimpressive release of DVD-A which isn't very 'professional' since it is missing common features other products have. This either forces you to make use of various kludge fixes or be forced to use less than your desired method. I'll say again, my view, rushed out the door.
googull wrote on 3/21/2003, 6:52 PM
It is disappointing when you believe you are buying a better than mass-market class product only to find that it lacks capabilities the $50-100 products supply.
wobblyboy wrote on 3/22/2003, 3:29 PM
The lack of this feature is a major concern and hopefully will be addressed in furture updates. However don't forget that DVD Architect provides you with unlimited undo, automatic scene selection menu creation, recognition of Vegas Video markers as chapter points, AC-3 encoder, real time preview on motion menus and button,as well as music compliation, slide show, and single movie projects. These features are not available on many other products. I agree that it was a major oversight on the part of Sonic Foundry not to provide "end of play behavior" capability. I guess nobody's perfect.