Maestro + 4 episodes + original menuschapters = confusion

[jbenj01]

been trying to get this on my own, following furball's guide with unsuccess. project = X-Files season discs. I want to keep original menus and extras (read: i do not want to have to create a menu in Maestro or 'draw picture').

i'm at the point where i've created 4 separate 'movies' and assigned 4 playlists to each. i keep reading that the episodes s/b on the same timeline or movie line..??? what i have done is created 4 separate, each by creating a new 'movie'. in other words, in the project window, i must scroll down to access each episode/movie. and i've imported 4 separate chapter lists from ChapterXtractor to each separate episode/movie..

it's all very confusing to me... can someone help me out from here, please. in the end, i just want some vob's to swap back in with the original menu and extras vob's..

[joepic]

been trying to get this on my own, following furball's guide with unsuccess. project = X-Files season discs. I want to keep original menus and extras (read: i do not want to have to create a menu in Maestro or 'draw picture').

it's all very confusing to me... can someone help me out from here, please. in the end, i just want some vob's to swap back in with the original menu and extras vob's..

Before I give you the details on fixing your problem might I suggest that you try the software InstantCopy 7. It is the BEST software for copying season discs such as the X-Files.

Furball's guide to Maestro's Playlist is for the advanced user. I believe you are missing some of the basic understanding of what it takes to create a MENU in Maestro.

You need to import the menu picture .BMP file (720 x 480 for NTSC) and create BUTTONS on it in Maestro. This menu can be a captured picture from the original DVD or one that you create. Then associate the Playlist with each button.

Here are the GUIDES for Maestro which you need to understand before trying Playlist:


Spruce DVDMaestro
http://www.geocities.com/eaussie01au/maestro.html
http://digital-forums.com/dvd2dvdr/intro.htm
http://www.fukrulez.com/modules.php?name=Content&pa=showpage&pid=11
http://www.doom9.org/index.html?/mpg/maestro.htm
http://www.doom9.org/mpg/maestro.htm
http://www.doom9.org/mpg/maestro2.htm
http://myweb.cableone.net/trilight/dvdguides/multipgc/default.htm
http://www.tcnj.edu/~sarnell2/ART34508/dvd2dvdr/index.html

DVDMaestro - product definition
http://www.spruce-tech.com/products/dvdmaestro.html

[jbenj01]

ah sh#@! i was afraid someone was going to say that.. damn..

so besides dvd2one and instantcopy (i have both), the only way to 'retain' the original menu, buttons and extras is to manually duplicate/create them in Maestro, yes??

so i'd have to capture the orginal menu background pic, save as bmp file, then import into Maestro menu screen, correct? regards the buttons, is there a way to capture a pic (bmp) of the original buttons (which are located horizontally along the bottom of screen in the original) and import into Maestro?? Or must I create the buttons as depicted in the guide as two colums @ 5 buttons each column (total 10)??

yes, i know i'm anal.. but i just want my backup as a mirror of the original in every aspect (save quality/bitrate, of course..).

thanks for your help, joepic. you're the first to really give me the answer i needed.. (even if it was 'no'.. ). again, thx.

[jbenj01]

also, i don't like using dvd2one for episodic discs, as quality, imo, is quite poor. do you/anyone know if quality is any better with IC?? i'll search forums, in the interim.. thx.

[joepic]

also, i don't like using dvd2one for episodic discs, as quality, imo, is quite poor. do you/anyone know if quality is any better with IC?? i'll search forums, in the interim.. thx.

Suggest you review this web site for the BEST practices to follow in configuring IC7. Also has a comparison of DVD2ONE & IC7. Of course IC7 wins

http://www.mrbass.org/instantcopy/