Difficulties in making DVD

AlanADale wrote on 12/20/2009, 10:11 AM

I've pulled one half of my hair out already, so before the other half gets pulled out perhaps someone could advise where I'm going wrong.

I'm using Windows, VMS Platinum 9b and DVD Architect 4.5d.

I have produced a 'show' in VMS comprising short movie clips and still images. On playback I'm 100% happy with what has been produced. So far so good then. I then click on 'Make Movie' and the project is then rendered and sent to DVD Architect which is where my problems begin.

When DVD Architect opens I am presented with the main project window comprising of a 'Menu' window, text window and another window in which I can place an image. I import and resize the image that I want to start the show, add a suitable title and once again proceed to 'make movie'.

Now it had been my understanding that the contents of the project window in DVD Architect would be the opening chapter i.e. it would be the first thing shown when the finished DVD is played back on a DVD player. Sadly this doesn't appear to be the case and instead what is happening is that when the DVD is played (a) NO title window appears and the rendered project from VMS has the beginning cut off. I've kind of worked out that the amount that is being chopped off from the beginning of the project exactly matches the length of the DVD Architect menu.

So the question please, is what do I need to do to get this DVD Architect menu to appear as the lead in chapter of the DVD followed by the actual rendered project from VMS without the beginning being chopped off. Sorry if this sounds pretty basic to those familiar with these applications but I'm finding the accompanying help files somewhat confusing to say the least although I admit this may also be an age thing so please take pity. :-)

Thanks in anticipation.

Comments

musicvid10 wrote on 12/20/2009, 10:18 AM

It sounds like you are looking at the menu timeline and not the media timeline.

After importing the media (it should appear below the menu in the tree), double-click on the media icon to expose the media timeline.

AlanADale wrote on 12/20/2009, 10:35 AM

Thanks for the reply musicvid. When DVD Architect opens the menu tree on the left hand side shows 2 items - menu and my project name. Indeed, by double-clicking on the project name this now appears in the timeline (images plus music). However, there are only two timelines, namely the project images and the music. But how do I go about getting the chapter e.g. the menu item from DVD Architect to appear at the front of the project and to be the first thing that appears when the finished DVD is played.

In other applications that I have used previously it is possible to set chapters i.e. the menu item in DVD Architect and this menu + music keeps on recycling until the play button is pressed when the actual project begins to play. Basically it's the same when one play a rented/purchased DVD movie........the titles with menus first appear from which the user selects and then presses play.