Chapter menu as the root menu?

[doug1937@hotmail.com]

I want to put a single MPG file, 2GB in size, on a DVD+R, complete with chapter points. However, every DVD authoring proggie I've tried insists on listing the MPG file as an entry in the main menu. To get to the chapter menu, I have to go through the main menu.

Well, there's no other video on the disc, so having a main menu is pointless. I want my chapter menu to be the first menu the user sees, and the ONLY menu he sees. I don't want any other menu on the disc. Is there a way to author a DVD such that the chapter menu is the only menu?

I suppose I could physically split the MPG file into multiple MPGs at the chapter points, and then each would have a listing on the main menu, but I don't want to have to bother with that. Besides, I'm not convinced the transition from chapter to chapter would be seamless for someone watching the DVD from start to finish.

A little help? Thanks!

[coyote]

Many programs can do this but the one that I know off the top of my head is DVDit Pro so I will use that as an example.

1. Import the Mpg as an assett
2. Drag the mpg onto the board as movie 1 (not first play - just movie 1)
3. Create the chapter points on the mpg using the timeline on the bottom
4. Create a menu with buttons (to access the chapters from the main screen)
5. Drag the links from the time line to the corresponding buttons
6. Create the dvd

Other programs have different steps....but the methodology should stay the same.

[tphaggerty]

I have been trying to do something similar. DVD Lab can autostart the first clip and then go to the Chapter menu when you hit the Menu button the remote (No "main menu" with just the clip). But I don't think you can have the chapter menu come up as the very first thing the user sees.

MF2 insists on having a top level menu, even though it seems that you should be able to put a "starter" clip that then links to your main video (from which you can access the chapters with the Menu button) - but it doesn't do this - it links to the Top level menu with my main video.

[Specialist]

every DVD authoring proggie I've tried insists on listing the MPG file as an entry in the main menu. Is there a way to author a DVD such that the chapter menu is the only menu?

Ulead DVD WORKSHOP will let you mark chapters in the manner you describe - and it doesn't force you to create a single thumbnail MAIN MENU.

http://www.ulead.com/dws/features.htm

Jerry Jones
http://www.jonesgroup.net

[housepig]

You can do this with DVD Lab as well.

[doug1937@hotmail.com]

Good ideas, thanks all. I think I'll give DVD Maestro a go first, since I already have that. A lot of what you described in DVDit Pro is similar to what you do with Maestro.

[ktnwin]

Actualy PS8 does just that, one level menu for chapter points. I have not learned how to do multi level menus with PS8 yet. neoDVD always do two level menus (if you have chapter points) !!!.