DVD coding

[Ciz41]

Does anybody know how and what programmes I can use to add a randomising element to my DVD's. Normally I author with adobe Encore and I am quite capable with the programme but as far as im aware you can not add any kind of coding but I have seen a Bill Bailey DVD where he appears in a different shed and you have to find him. This implies that there is a way to code a DVD to connect random paths. Does anyone have an idea how I could do this?

Thank you very much.

[Denac1000]

Dear Ciz41,

Did you manage to find an answer to your question regarding 'randomising' ?
I am about to embark on a project of my own and I would like to be able to randomly switch between scenes, as a result I am trying to find out which program I should use.

Regards,

Neil.

[guns1inger]

DVD Lab Pro on Windows or DVD Studio Pro on the Mac. It won't be truly random, but it will be close enough for your needs. Neither have a 'make random titles' button, so you will have to do some coding of your own.

[Alex_ander]

Not a big problem to randomize anything by editing a DVD e.g. in DVDRemake or by editing VM commands within DVDLab. Two main opportunities:
1. Randomize playback within a PGC (for its cells, with/without repeating numbers).
2. Use '=Random' operator for writing random numbers (in wanted range) into registers and using their status for any navigation.

[Denac1000]

Hey Alex_ander and guns1inger,
Thank you for your responses and help - good comments that make me feel that I have a chance at creating my desired DVD.
You both mention DVD LAB Pro which certainly does get some good write ups, my concern (and current lack of understanding of this art) is that if I decide to go with LAB Pro will I be limiting myself in some way or is there a better package that I shoud invest time into ? Are the skills, programming languages and interfaces within LAB Pro usable across various platforms or would I be starting afresh if I decide that LAB Pro is not quite what I want ?
Sorry if these seem like silly questions, I hope that as I read on and learn, I will be able to answer more and more of these questions myself !!
Cheers, Neil.

[guns1inger]

There are very few DVD authoring tools that allow you access to the coding side of things. Most either limit you to simply designing menus and structures (sometimes by template only, sometimes to quite complex degrees), or do almost everything for you and give you little control at all. DVD Lab Pro is the most affordable Windows based tool that allows you access to pretty much everything available in the DVD spec. It is not a hand holding tool - you will have to learn how it works and how to code. DVD code is pretty simplistic. There isn't a lot to learn for the basics, as it is mostly register setting and checking and basic logic. If you need to get down to this level, this would be my recommendation.