DVD WORKSHOP TIPS & TRICKS

[Lula1]

Hi,

I have been dealing with DVDWS for some months now and find it an excellent product. Seems (see results of poll on this forum) that many users also like it. As it lacks some features ( menu transitions, for instance ) we strive to develop some workarounds.

Some features are not well known by many users.

I suggest we make a sticky thread with tips and tricks for DVDWS.

I heard about a book coming out next year. Don't know if it will bring usefull (new) information ...

TIP 1 : "AFTER TITLE" options : besides going back to menu or playing next title, you can JUMP TO SPECIFIC MENU. That comes in handy for many workarounds ...

QUESTION 1 : Why do we have to use 768 x 576 images for backgrounds (menus ) ? That is what Ulead recommends on their web site. If I want to play a short NTSC 720x480 video (5 seconds) as a transition between menus, I can not use it´s last frame for my next still menu, since a 720x480 static image will give me black borders on top and bottom of the screen . Any ideas ?

Hope everyone can contribute with Tips, tricks, workarounds and new questions. Please make reference to Question number of Tip number.

[Lula1]

150 views and no replies .... ?????????

Where have all DVD Worshop users gone ?

Don't you guys want to share your tips, tricks and questions ?

Come on , that's what this forum is all about .

Speak up .....

[jon_w]

I gave up on Workshop. I couldn't get it to stop re-encoding my source, most of the time I'd end up with choppy or out of sync video/audio.

[Lula1]

Hi jon_w ,


I use version 1.0
In order for DVDWS to stop re-encoding your mpeg2 files , on the Finish Step, when you choose Make Disc, simply set a bitrate HIGHER than the one you used for encoding your Mpeg2 file.
I do this all the time, since I use TMPGEnc to encode to Mpeg2 .
I never use DVDWS's built-in encoder, and doing it the way I described, avoids DVDWS to re-encode.

I did not install the 1.2 or 1.3 upgrades since they introduced some bugs that were not present on version 1.0. But I have read that these upgrades introduced an option to "Do not re-encode ...." .
Anyway, the solution above works great .

Let's keep it moving DVDWS users .
Anyone with more tricks, tips or questions ?

[JDaCunha]

John_W

what do you use now???

[mbailey58]

I am not able to hear the audio of an imported clip in DVDWS when it has an AC3 audio stream. I created the audio using BeSweet and muxed it using TMPEnc. DvdIt and MediaPlayer ARE able to play the audio. The final DVD created using DVDWS correctly passes the AC3 along and I am able to hear it on the set-top box.

What am I doing wrong.

[Robert Simandl]

I am not able to hear the audio of an imported clip in DVDWS when it has an AC3 audio stream. I created the audio using BeSweet and muxed it using TMPEnc. DvdIt and MediaPlayer ARE able to play the audio. The final DVD created using DVDWS correctly passes the AC3 along and I am able to hear it on the set-top box.

What am I doing wrong.

Find your DVDWS.INI file (you'll have to enable the "search hidden files") and change the "playac3" value from 0 to 1. That should do it.

[Lula1]

And also ,

Use SoftEncode . It is much better than Besweet or AC3Machine .
BTW, isn't the AC3 sound much lower in volume than the original ?

Although mpeg audio is not NTSC mandatory DVD spec , I use it , since most standalone DVD players supoort it .This topic has been discussed earlier on Ulead forum also .

Hey, nice, the topic is moving and we are exchanging knowledge about DVD Workshop and related DVD authoting stuff .

Let's keep rolling ....(posting , I should say ) .

[jon_w]

I had an audio sync problem using version 1.0 (trial).

Based on the suggestions I recieved in another thread I tried version 1.2 (trial). This fixed the audio sync problem but created a new problem. After about 20 minutes the video and audio becomes "choppy." I've have checked the source mpegs (which come from CCE via Vegas Video where I do my home movie editing,) and there is no choppiness in the source files at all. I've also double checked my media and found that I have the same problem with two types of media which work fine when I use DVDXCopy to backup my DVDs. Both media types also work fine when I just burn data on them via Nero.

[jon_w]

As to what authoring problem I'm using now, I'm not. I can't find any other authoring program I can a) afford and b) like using. I wish there was a trial version of DVDit. I'm not going to spend more than $300 USD and I'm *not* buying anything I can't try extensively first.

[Lula1]

Hi ,

jon_w : the problem you mentioned on your first post was about re-encoding . So, let's take things one at a time . Have you tried the solution I pointed out to you ? It is pretty simple and works . Believe me.

As I told you before I keep version 1.0 installed . I never had the audio sync problem you mentioned, but I read some months ago, on Ulead forum, about this problem. Back at that time there was a patch for version 1.0 , to solve this problem. I think I might have it on my computer at work. If so, I could e-mail it to you .

Hope you will have success with DVDWS from now on .

[jon_w]

(I did really mention both problems....)

But anyway, regarding the re-encoding problem. Maybe it has something to do with the fact that I'm still using the trial version of the problem but "simply setting a bitrate HIGHER than the one you used for encoding your Mpeg2 file" didn't seem to work for me. I was still getting an error while it was trying to reencode my mpegs. Also, some of my mpegs are at a constant 9000 bitrate and the highest option that Workshop provides is 8000.

[snarfo]

DVDWS is fairly forgiving about bitrates and such. You may want to make a template with the bitrates you like to use most often if you don't stick to regular vcd, svcd, and dvd bitrates...

[bumblebe]

Can anyone tell me what was added in 1.2 and 1.3, I can't seem to find a history file at their site

[snarfo]

The 1.3 update includes:

Multiple Aspect Ratio/Bit-Rate support

The capability to mix existing, DVD compliant MPEG files with different aspect ratios (16:9, 4:3) and/or bit rates without having to re-encode.

Enhanced MPEG.Now encoding

Support for LPCM audio encoding

DVD+R support

Improved burning performance - you can now burn directly to DVD without having to create a disc image first

Elementary Stream file import - The ability to import independent video and audio files enabling you to choose between various audio file formats.

Dual Monitor Support - The ability for DVD Workshop to read when a user is using an expanded desktop on a dual monitor system so that it will center on monitor #1.

Import of Matrox RT MPEG AVI video files - DVDWS will now accept the proprietary Matrox file format that is native to Matrox's RT video board solutions.

[Lula1]

Hi ,

jon_w : it has nothing to do with you using the trial version. I encode with TMPGEnc and do the above solution (set higher bitrate on customize option of make disc step), using DVDWS 1.0 . It NEVER reencodes.

HEY : Maybe I found your problem, and here comes ...

TIP NO. 2 : Don't ever trim your video title inside DVDWS . This will cause it to re-encode your video title. If you need to trim, do it with your prefered video editing software ( or even TMPGEnc ).

jon_w : I would advise you to NOT use such high bitrates. You might have problems with some standalone DVD players and your DVD-R . I usually stay at 7000 , and it gives me excellent quality ( of course, depending on the quality of the source video ) and good compatibility with most DVD players.
I will try to send you the audio synch patch tonight.

LET'S KEEP THE TOPIC ROLLING ...
Anyone with suggestions or answers for my Question , on the first post ?

[MaRiTzA]

OK I learnt something new from the above posts, but I had getting a problem how the motion menu(s) really works, I upgrade my v1.0 to 1.2 n 1.3, but to no avail. The problem is when I burned the project into the DVD, the movie(s) inside the menu(s) should be in motion but its all fixed just like graphics, any suggestion how to make it works??

[Lula1]

Hi Maritza,

If you have not read the tutorial below, take a look at it :

http://www.ulead.com/learning/dws/dws_01_1.htm

If you follow the steps mentioned on that tutorail, it should work.

In case you have done so, please give as many details as possible so I can try to help you.

[snarfo]

Lula1, I assume Ulead suggests that resolution because it's what you generally get on a regular ntsc tv. you shouldn't end up with black borders, though--- the program will stretch-to-fit images... won't it? Most of the images I use for backgrounds are of varying resolutions, from 1024x768 on up, and they all look great after encoding.

[Lula1]

Hi snarfo,

I can tell you that if I use the last frame from my video , captured at 720 x 480 as the menu background , it does show black borders on top and bottom ON THE PREVIEW window of DVDWS .

I will try to render it and see what happens . Hey , you are using much BIGGER dimensions than what Ulead recommends. In my case, and for what I want to achieve, I have to use a SMALLER dimension ( 720 x 480 ) than what Ulead recommends ( 768 x 576 ).

I got another question for you . I will post it here, since the answers I received on Ulead's forum ( and even here, on other threads ), said it was possible to do it, but did not explain it clearly ( at least for my comprehension ).

QUESTION 2 :
Many of you must have seen commercial DVD's with menus having various Text Links. Usually something like "Play Movie" , "Extras", "Audio & Subtitle" and so on. When you choose ( with the remote controller of the standalone DVD player ) one of the Text Links, it gets highlited and BESIDE it appears a small image, usually a colorfull arrow.
How can we make this arrow appear BESIDE the highlited Text Object, using DVDWS ?

[snarfo]

yeah, the static images i use are always larger than they suggest... and so far, no black borders.

As for your other issue, I don't know! Good one, though... offhand I can't think of a way to do that.

Any takers?

[alaindelon]

I'll ask my question here since this thread seems to have come to life(i did not get any response to my own thread).In the menu templates in dvdworkshop there are white spaces.I'm assuming for motion video.How do i get the video there so it fills the white space?The only way i was able to was to try to manually size it over the white.Can i get video there and then apply a frame over the video?

[Lula1]

Hi,

You first have to define the chapters you want for each video title that will be in your DVD . You will do that on the EDIT step.

On the MENU step you will then choose a menu template, and simply drag the chapter from the Chapter List at the right of your screen, onto the white areas. These can be still images or motion buttons.

Have a look at the online manual ( you can download it from Ulead's web site ) , or at the tutorails, also on Ulead's web site .

[romanoj]

Hey Lula1,

QUESTION 2 :
Many of you must have seen commercial DVD's with menus having various Text Links. Usually something like "Play Movie" , "Extras", "Audio & Subtitle" and so on. When you choose ( with the remote controller of the standalone DVD player ) one of the Text Links, it gets highlited and BESIDE it appears a small image, usually a colorfull arrow.
How can we make this arrow appear BESIDE the highlited Text Object, using DVDWS ?

Possible solution:
I created an openning menu that has text choices like PLAY DVD and SPECIAL FEATURES. I got it to show highlight of a colored in box around the word when you have cursor over it. You have to put a box object on the menu that is invisible when not selected and colored in when selected. Place it in back of the text that you want. Don't make the text have a link, make the box have the link to the menu or video. That trick makes it look like the commerical DVDs. I suppose you could use a symbol or arrow that has that property. The key is that it is the back of the text and the text is on top of it but is static (not selectable). I hope that makes sense.

I can send you a copy of a sample menu I created. (I think I can send it. I've never tried but it seems possible)

[Lula1]

Hi romanoj,

Thank's for your reply. I will try your suggestion. Your explanation was very clear. I think, as you said, the key points are : 1 - To have the box on back and with the link ; 2 - to have text on top and without link.

I will send you a PM (private message) with my e-mail.

As for the arrow showing beside the text (instead of the box around the text), I think the arrow (button object) would have to have it's width equal to the width of the text object plus the arrow, and it would have to be a transparent object, that will only show the arrow beside the text, when highlighted.

Thank's again.

[snarfo]

Hey, good idea.

I don't master as many dvds as I do svcds, so I never fiddled with the highlight button thing.

[russwcj]

question: I've asked this on various newsgroups but never had a response. How do you tell DWS which object is hilighted by default. For example, I'll lay out thumbnails for chapter selection, and annoyingly I can't guarantee chapter 1 is highlighted. it seems to be random (by random, I don't mean different every time, but different for each DVD i author. If I have 5 options on my 1st menu, I can't guarantee that the top option is selected as default, it is just as likely to have the 3rd option highlighted. I've even tried making sure that chapter 1, or the top option, is the last thing selected on the menu design screen before authoring, but still doesn't work. I'm puzzled

[TDog2112]

These are the issues I've had with WS. I'm using win98se.

1) With v1.0 I had problems with mpeg2 files (encoded with tmpgenc) losing audio synch after authoring with WS. This is a progressive loss (i.e., it's synched fine at the beginning but gradually gets worse). The mpeg2 files play perfectly in WMP.

2) I tried v1.3, but it crashes back to Windows as soon as I select a file in the Import dialog box.

So, my questions would be...

1) Will the tip about selecting a higher bitrate than what was used fix the audio synch issue?

2) Any solution to the crashing problem in v1.3?

Thanks in advance for any info. I like this program but these are show stoppers right now.

[Lula1]

Hi guys,

jon_w : send me a PM with your e-mail, so I can send you the audio synch patch.

Tdog2112 : I have e-mailed a synch patch which I downloaded from Ulead's web site on May 2002. I never did install it because I did not face the synch problems you mentioned. I use DVDWS 1.0 so, cannot help with 1.3 . I also use TMPGEnc for encoding .

russwcj : This has been discussed before, but I never really did pay much attention to it. I will have a closer look and also try to review posts about it. What version of DVDWS are you using ?

[snarfo]

TDog2112,

I've never had the sync issue since I upgraded to version 1.3. I've read elwhere that many people claim DVDWS is much more stable under Windows XP than the old 9x line. This is probably self-evident as XP IS more stable than 9x by a longshot. If it's in your means you may wanna upgrade and see if that helps. XP is da bomb!