Tsunami (TMPG) MPEG DVD Author: want audio during menu

[rrstudio2]

In my quest for my ideal DVD authoring software, I downloaded the trial version of Tsunami MPEG DVD author which is the USA version of TMPG DVD author. I can't figure out how to do something very simple...I want select a music file (wave) to play during the menu. Is it just me or is there no way to add a music file to the menu?? I see a place where you can add a motion menu with video and have that video's audio play, but I just want a still menu which a music file playing. Maybe I am blind, but I sure don't see this option anywhere. If they really don't let you do this, there is not a chance I would buy the software, that is a very basic thing.

Let me know if I should get my eyes checked or if this is really not possible.

-Andrew V. Romero

[gadgetguy]

You can't select a wave, but you can use a video with audio for the background. So use TMPGEnc to create a video of your still picture with the background music of your choice and use that for the background.

[rrstudio2]

Of course it isn't your fault...but that sounds pretty sad that they didn't make it possible to select an audio file for the menu music. I, personally, can't imagine going thru my video editor, adding a still picture, adding music, then importing this "movie" as my background "image" Sure that would work, but that sure soundsl like a lot of work for something that should be pretty simple. Sort of the equivalent to DOS vs windows, sure you can go to start : run and type in c:/games/codemasters/flashpoint/flashpoint.exe, but isn't it a heck of a lot easier to double click on an icon? Personally, I would really rather click on icon. It sort of seems like a lot of the DVD making things are like in the DOS ages, where you can make things work, but it is rather difficult and time consuming (i.e. well that program doesn't like that format, but you can convert it with this other program, oh and the audio for the movie has to be converted using this program to AC-3, etc) I don't want to go thru all that hassle of making a video file just to add a music file for background music, call me lazy or just efficient, your choice. Perhaps I would feel differently if I were making commercial products, but for small family projects, that is getting too involved. I guess I will probably not be purchasing TMPG DVD Author, on with my search for a DVD authoring program. I really like Ulead Moviefactory's DVD menu making feature, but found that some DVD players don't play those disk correctly, it sometimes jumps back to the main menu between titles, perhaps the new version fixed that.

Thanks for confirming my initial thoughts...
Andrew V. Romero

[gadgetguy]

I agree that it seems like a lot of extra work, but I'm usually disappointed with programs that try to do too much. TDA works best with properly prepared assets. Selecting an audio file is not as straight forward as you might think. Not all audio files are created equally and most don't fit the DVD specs so chances are it would have to be converted to be usable. I don't expect (or even want) my AUTHORING program to do the conversion.
Having said all that, I understand your position about it all not being worth it for small family projects so... happy hunting

[lordsmurf]

I personally think you're being unreasonable. For a $50 piece of software, that's pretty good.

If you want more abilities, pull out the checkbook and buy something like Ulead DVDWS2 for about $500.

[rrstudio2]

It is nice that it is fairly cheap, but not needing something that cheap, I guess I am disappointed in what it can do since a lot of people say it is very good. Perhaps I will lookat DVDWS2, however it is more than i was looking for. I am probably looking more in the $200 range. I just want something easy to use, creates compatible DVD menus, and allows a variety of what I view as standard features like adding audio to the menu, moving buttons, etc. So what should I try for about $200? I really like most of the features in Ulead's Moviefactory 3.5, it does just about everything I want and it is easy to use, but I have found that some DVD players return to the main menu after certain titles when I make the DVD with the ulead one. Using the same files, if I make a DVD with DVDlab, it does not do this, so it is something wrong with Moviefactory. I should download the new version of it, but I am a little scared since that is an odd issue to have, makes me leary of ulead. What should I try for under $200?

-Andrew V. Romero