Playing video between chapter choices ala Alan Partridge

[stokefan]

Hi all,

I'm new to DVD authoring and am currently reading up on all DVD authoring programs before choosing one, i have Adobe Encore and DVD-lab and the pro version.

I wondered if anyone has ever created a DVD menu, that when you choose the next option, some video plays? An example of this is on the I'm Alan Partridge BBC DVDs. The menu I'm going to end up creating is going to be very complex, to achieve this I am willing to do what it takes to learn the art of complex authoring.

Regards,

stokefan.

[mats.hogberg]

Swithed menus? If so, tutorial to be found @ the DVD-Lab site.

/Mats

[reboot]

There's also a function in DLP that allows you to return to the menu that called the video, not to root all the time.

[stokefan]

ok thanks guys,

I now have a choice of using DVD Studio Pro 3, Sonic Reel DVD, Adobe Encore 1.5 or DVD Lab (or pro).

What is best for what I want to do?

Thanks.

[mats.hogberg]

I think it's time to try it out?!? This is rarely used it seems, but once in a while, a question on the subject appears (like yours). I think the main reason is that it isn't as elegant in practice as in theory - all players make a pause when switching between menus, so you don't get that smooth action you might expect. This isn't related to tool used - it's how DVD and DVD players work.

/Mats

[stokefan]

mats - yes I know there is a pause, though I am willing to try it out just like you say.

I am a complete menu n00b so that's why I'm looking for the easiest tool to create this kind of menu with, which is easiest?

[mats.hogberg]

IMO, DVD-Lab, tho daunting at first look, is well worth a try, specially after going thru some of the excellent tutorials provided at the web site. It's very powerful, and for that level really very intuitive and easy to create advanced DVD stuff with.

/Mats

[stokefan]

thanks mats, currently going through the "totally ridiculous" one

[stokefan]

What I ultimately want is to have the menu as stills, but when the button on the DVD remote is pressed to go to the next item on the menu, there to be an MPEG2 clip played.

I know it can be done as i've seen it on commercial DVDs but I don't know if it's possible on DVD lab pro, if so how is it done please?

edit = they're called transition movies apparantly is what I'm after...

[reboot]

Create the clip you want to play between menus, and import it like any other asset.
From menu 1 to menu 2, link the clip between them as a movie.
DVDLab has built in transitions, not exactly what you want though, or maybe it is?
What sort of clip do you want between menus?

[stokefan]

Reboot - I plan to have Menu 1 and Menu 2 as still pictures, one of the actors of my home video in one pose, then the transition video to be an MPEG2 video clip of the actors travelling to the next scene. Does that make sense?

From menu 1 to menu 2, link the clip between them as a movie.

If I import the clip, how do I set the clip to be the transition between menus in DVDlab pro?

[reboot]

Set it up as a movie, like any other. Link movie 1 to movie 2 with your transition movie inbetween.

movie1 > transition > movie2