dvd construction

dvideo wrote on 9/19/2006, 7:10 AM
i'm creating a dvd for a 2 hr video----i would like a play all button which will play the full 2 hour duration before returning to the main menu, however, i would also like to break the video into 10 sections having 10 buttons corespond to these sections. Most importantly, i would like each of these sections (once activated by the button) to return to the main menu after the video clip is complete. My question is, how can i make these sections return to the main menu, while at the same time allowing the video to play through, without repeating when activating the play all button?

Thank you.

Comments

ScottW wrote on 9/19/2006, 7:16 AM
You drag 11 instances of the movie into your project menus (I would suggest renaming each instance so you can more easily track it). The first instance is your Play All; the additional instances are your "sub selection." You then navigate into each instance and set the in/out points of the instance as needed. DVDA 2.0 and greater is smart enough to only include the file on the DVD a single time (as long as you don't do anything else to the clip other than set the in/out points).

--Scott
rs170a wrote on 9/19/2006, 7:18 AM
In addition to Scott's excellent suggestions, make sure to set the "End Action" for each clip to go back to the main menu.
BTW, use the I and O keys for setting your in/out points.

Mike
dvideo wrote on 9/19/2006, 7:23 AM
what do you mean by instances? Maybe you can tell me a bit more about the video rendering process? do i export the 2 hour video as 1 whole file, or as the individual sections?
rs170a wrote on 9/19/2006, 7:42 AM
Instances means copies. What Scott said was "You drag 11 instances of the movie into your project menus" so that means drag your project to the menu window (left hand window) 11 times. This won't increase the size of the project as your just using these as a reference.
Render the project from Vegas as one video. Mkae sure to use a bitrate calculator so that the 2 hr. video will fit. VBR values of 8,000, 4,700 and 2,800 should work (assuming AC3 audio)
It's probably a good idea to drop chapter markers on the timeline in Vegas as well so that they can be read in DVDA. It's not necessary though as you can add these later in DVDA. It just makes life easier. If you don't do this, make notes of the start/stop times for each chapter.
Is this making sense yet?

Mike
ScottW wrote on 9/19/2006, 7:46 AM
Yes, you can render the video as a single large file. An "instance" is defined as an occurance of something.

Step 1: create your main menu. Then drage your video file from the explorer view onto the main menu - this creates the first instance of your movie. Rename the button "Play All"

Step 2: create a submenu to hold your scene selection, name the button whatever you want.

Step 3: navigate into the scene select menu (double click on the button).

Step 4: Drag your movie from the explorer pane onto the scene selection menu. This is your second instance of the movie.

Step 5: double click on the movie button to navigate into the movie. Then on the timeline, set the In/Out points. By default the end action should link you back to the most recent menu, but if it doesn't change it (or specify the main menu if that's what you want).

Step 6: Repeat steps 4 & 5 as needed.
dvideo wrote on 9/19/2006, 10:15 AM
thanks
solow wrote on 9/19/2006, 3:10 PM
wow... I started to think that I wasn't going to learn anything new today. I was wondering how you pull this off.... I just hadnt asked.
Thanks