Making a DVD+RW with multiple, changing AVI's and a menu

[Jehjoa]

Hello all. I'm pretty new to this DVD authoring stuff, and I have a question. I had a quick look around the site but couldn't find any article that went into enough detail.

What I want to do is make a DVD+RW with a few AVI's and a menu. Pretty standard stuff so far. The thing is, I want to be able to replace the AVI's with new ones over time, without constantly having to edit the menu code, images, etc. Ideally, I would just be able to delete an AVI file, and simply replace it with another. The menu would only need to list the filenames for the AVI's (so no need for fancy graphics or sounds, though it would be nice if thumbnail previews can be shown on the menu instead of filenames). The DVD should also be playable in any standard DVD player.

Is there a program available anywhere that can do this for me? Or will I have to write my own custom "DVD menu script" (No idea how that would work, but I can learn quickly)? If so, can you provide me with a link explaining the correct procedure?

Any suggestions will be appreciated!

[mats.hogberg]

For computer or DVD player playback?

/Mats

[Jehjoa]

Hi Mats, thanks for your reply.

I meant a regular, stand-alone DVD player. The idea is to put a few movies on DVD, take it to a friends house to watch them there, and then later replace them with other movies for the next time we want to watch a few.

As a side question: Can DVD players that play DivX/Xvid files also display subtitles in the form of .srt or .sub files?

Thanks again.

[guns1inger]

Point 1 : if they are avis then this isn't a DVD video, it's just a data disc.

Point 2 : 'authoring' menus for Divx data discs is still very young, rough and not for newbies. It also only works for the Divx Player on the PC, and for Divx Ultra Certified stand alone players.

Point 3 : Can you just replace the movies in a Divx menu system - you will have to play around with the authoring tools to work it out. So few are using them currently.

Finally, most will play .srt subs, which are the simplest form of subtitle. Some will play .sub/.idx subtitles. You need to consult your manual as there is no standard for subtitle support.

[mats.hogberg]

In other words: What you're asking for is hardly doable at all. Parts of it is possible under certain conditions, that's it.

/Mats