2 versions of 1 movie on 1 DVD viewable @ same time, "I

[PinkzPantha]

I have a somewhat offbeat question
(or a "quest", for those who stand up to the challenge...
or at least have too much "clap-clap" time on their hands:

Is it possible to burn a DVD of 2 movies, and watch them simultaneously?
What i am referring to is sort of a "picture-in-picture" DVD, with 2 movies being the same size on the screen (unlike PIP TV's differing sizes). Preferably one on top of the other, which shouldn't look too small, especially when they are widescreen. The movies should be as synchronized as possible.

Why, you ask?!? i have always wanted to watch 2 different versions of a film side-by-side (erm, top-by-bottom), to see the differences in real time (not having to watch the movie twice in a row). The last "Stargate" DVD has the "Director's" & "Theatrical" cuts, as does "Independence Day". Even "Star Wars" (original trilogy), which is rumored to be out on DVD late 2004, would be cool to watch this way *(that is, if Ol' King George doesn't taint them any more than he has with "Even More Special Editions").

It would be best if, when an additional/extended scene appears in one version, say the top one, the bottom film (original/theatrical) would either pause/freeze-frame, or go black temporarily, until it "caught up" with the special version. Switchable audio (in sync) between the 2, along with a "mix" of both, would be an added plus.

All this without resulting in an aneurysm, or breaking one's bank account! ~ "Can it be done?" - The Emperor, circa 1981 ~ 8)

[bugster]

Yes it can be done, but it sounds like a lot of work!

The best way I can think of would be to convert both movies to high quality avi's (high bitrate divx maybe, or even DV). Then import both into a decent avi editor (I use Premier). Here you can rrange the two videos how you like. The bit about keeping sound synced and adding freezes or black frames where the two movies differ would all have to be done by hand. Once happy with the video and audio. Save out the 2 audio tracks seperateley, and the video as a single video. Now encode to mpeg and author as DVD with 2 audio tracks.

Is it worth the effort? You decide.

[Thorn]

Yea, this sounds like a lot of work. You'll probably stop after the first one unless your friends come over and tell you how cool it is

Avisynth will let you combine two video streams into one. The downside of this approach is that you'd have to already know where all the differences are between the versions, and essentially create chapters (so if there are a lot of differences, you'd end up with hundreds of "chapters"). At least with this method you'd be able to write the scripts once and use repeatedly.

Now, if you're really crazy you could try to make a seamless branching DVD - if 95% of the video is the same between the versions, you only need the differing parts encoded like this. Then you could add different angles so you could view either cut, or both at the same time. Unfortunately, seamless branching doesn't work on all DVD players and you might only be able to create it on top-end dvd authoring software.

Actually, you could combine the methods and not do seamless branching - just chop it up so that whenever there's a difference do the splitscreen, and have the common elements regular widescreen. You'll see what you like best when you get some of it done.

This might be an iterative process: after your first cut you'll see a few places where it gets out of synch so you go back to the cutting board...

[djmattyb]

Usually the difference between the diretors edition and the theatrical release is added scenes. If you want to keep the movies in sync, you'll have to blank (or stop) the theatrical version whenever an extra scene is showing. I wouldn't think that would be that great to watch.

[andkiich]

editstudio 4 has a function that does this. it's a side by side split screen. I don't know how it will handle the audio. You'll probably have to have 2 audio tracks, then manually select from one or the other.

[PinkzPantha]

Is it worth the effort? You decide.

Yes, it would be for a (movie/DVD) fReAk, such as myself!!!

Now, if you're really crazy...

Yes, i am (erm, for movies, that is....

I wouldn't think that would be that great to watch.

i beg to differ on that one.
It would be very cool to compare different versions of movies in real time. After all, isn't this what DVD's are supposed to be on about?!?
This would give movie lovers an excellent perspective on filmmaking itself, what the Director wanted versus what the Studio made them do.

There are DVD's out there with extras such as storyboard-to-film comparisons, so why not Theatrical-to-Special Edition comparisons?
I believe DVD's that have 2 different versions on the same disc should have an extra feature like this built in.

The "branching" idea is excellent, but that lag-before-branching is just a tad bit bothersome, as is having to push "Enter" to get to deleted/extended scenes (like "X-Men 1.5"). I'd rather the extra scenes automatically play where they were *supposed to* fit in (regardless of quality), just for kicks!

THANK YOU to all who have responded!!!!
I really want to try some of the software mentioned in response, although it looks to be time-consuming. I'm thinking of starting out with *only* the scenes that differ, and watching them one right after the other full (uh, i mean, WIDE-) screen for now. THX again!

[coyote]

Just so you don't spend a billion hours on stargate (you did mention that one), its 8 minutes of extra footage. Most of it is simply 20 seconds here, 20 seconds there. I think there is only 2 very quick add-ons to scenes that give the story a more in depth feel. I know them if you want to know them (don't want to post it if someone hasn't seen it)

[Gazorgan]

The easiest way to do it is on you computer. 2 copies of a player going at the sme time (you want the movie on our harddrive for this). There simply isn't a good way to display 2 movies at once on a TV.

I have done this with The Wizard of Oz and Pink Floyd Album (do a google search) for #2 audio. Pretty cool if you ask me........

[PinkzPantha]

The easiest way to do it is on you computer. 2 copies of a player going at the sme time (you want the movie on our harddrive for this). There simply isn't a good way to display 2 movies at once on a TV.

That's the way i watched "Independence Day"... very interesting!
THANX to you, and everyone else who posted replies!!