Menu Behavior

cspvideo wrote on 12/22/2007, 2:42 PM
I'd like to design my DVD's so that if I am using "scene selection" and I've selected a chapter and played it the video plays until the end of that chapter and then returns to the menu with that selection highlighted on the menu.

In other words, let's imagine I've selected the third choice on a menu. The player jumps to that chapter. Plays it, but returns to the menu before playing the next chapter and with the same selection highlighted instead of returning to the first item on the list.

Thanks for any input.

Paul Conti

Comments

bStro wrote on 12/22/2007, 3:38 PM
In the DVDA's online help Contents, choose Using DVD Architect Software > Menu-Based DVDs > Adding a Scene Selection Menu,

After you follow the instructions there (or while you're changing the In and Out points for each chapter), go to the End Actions tab of the Media Properties window. Change "Destination" so that it specifies the menu you are returning to, and then change "Destination Button" so that it specifies the button you want highlighted after that item is done playing.

Rob
GeorgeW wrote on 12/23/2007, 5:44 AM
To play a single "Chapter", you can copy/paste a video onto your menu, and then for the new button, trim the video to only include the chapter you want.
MPM wrote on 12/24/2007, 10:06 AM
Or... Depending on what sort of project you're doing, and If a potential but slight pause between segments isn't a problem, you can use separate video files, and use a playlist if/when you want to play every segment sequentially. It can be quicker (maybe easier?) to implement, but the scripting DVDA inserts to play one after another, added to the time for the player to load the next video, can cause a slight delay. IMHO it's not a big problem if you have a fade to black sort of scene change between segments, but referencing chapters/cells in a single video file is the more pro solution...

The only GOTCHA I've seen with playing individual chapters of a single file is that, depending on the encoder & player, if the chapter markers are located mid-scene [i.e. without a fade to black etc.] the player can show a bad frame or three at first when playing that chapter. I *think/assume* it has to do with the B &/or P frames, since joining segments with Cuttermaran or ProjectX avoids the problem, as does a fade to black at segment start/stop in Vegas when creating the mpg2.
cspvideo wrote on 1/3/2008, 9:52 AM
Thanks all.

I'll have to play with all of these to see which is best for my work flow.