DVDA 4: return to menu problem

UlfLaursen wrote on 9/20/2008, 3:55 AM

Hi

I have a problem. I have a vegas timeline I have rendered to mpg ind included markers that will make chapterpoints.

I have 6 chapterpoints and have made 6 menu buttons in DVDA. I can start each cpather without problems.

My problem is that I want the DVD to return to the menu after each chapter, but I am not quite sure how to do this. I tried to set 'end action' to most recent menu, but it does apparently have no effect.

Do I need separate mpg-files to get this, or...?

Thanks for any hint - it's kind of urgent, have a big project that I need to finish tomorrow.

/Ulf

Comments

Former user wrote on 9/20/2008, 5:45 AM

In order to have the MENU return after each chapter, you have to break the chapters into standalone segments. you can do this within DVDA. On the DVDA timeline, you can set an IN and OUT similar to the VEGAS timeline. If you have 5 chapters, you need to import the video file into the project 5 times (don't worry, there will only be physically one copy of the video on the disk). Then open each video event and set a beginning and ending.

This is also explained in the ONLINE help of DVDA.

Dave T2

UlfLaursen wrote on 9/20/2008, 6:21 AM

Big thanks, Dave - probably saved my day :-) I'll try...

/Ulf

farss wrote on 9/20/2008, 6:55 AM

What you'll end up creating is 5 separate videos. If you only want the user to be able to play each one as a separate video that's a perfect solution. However if as I suspect you want them to also be able to play the whole movie without a break then things get more complicated.
In this case the approach should be to create six instances of the full movie. The Play All one exactly as is. The other 5 instances set the end point to the end of the chapter and the end action to return to the menu. DVDA is smart enough to create only one copy of the actual video.
You can get what appears to be the same outcoming using end actions to link to the next chapter/clip however then you have to be aware of the physical layout of the media on the disk. DVDA does have a tool for controlling this however it gets tricky making changes and the outcome is not always perfect due to limitations in DVD players.

Bob.

TGS wrote on 9/20/2008, 10:12 AM

I've made music videos, where I'll keep each song/video as a separate Title. (separate video) and once placed on the DVD, you can make a 'Playlist' that will play those in any sequence you'd like.
For example, I'd make 10 playlists. Placing the songs in 10 different orders, but there is only one recording of each song on the disc
The Playlist will allow you to choose the order played and even which 'Titles', if not all, are played.
The Playlists are very easy to set up and can work like Title buttons. Trying to skip over titles within a playlist, while watching, is another story.
Older DVD players have a tendency to move to the next Title, in a Playlist, slower than desired.
EDIT: I forgot my main point, which is separate Titles will get you back to the main menu, but a playlist will let you also set it up to play all or some of the Titles together.

UlfLaursen wrote on 9/20/2008, 9:32 PM

Thanks Bob and TGS - apreciate your input too.

Good point there, Bob with a 'play all'.

/Ulf