How do I create a DVD Menu

[RKM1552]

I am brand new to your forum and to video/DVD creation so I apologize up front if this issue has already been covered. I am not having any luck creating DVD menus to catalog the varied videos I have burned on to one disk. I have Windows XP home operating system using Windows Movie Maker and 123MediaMax. Will either of these programs allow me to create a functional DVD menu? If so, where can I get technical help? If not, what program do I need? Thanks.

[Baldrick]

No, they wont create any menus. Use something like tmpgenc authoring works, nerovision or the free dvdstyler.

[flashandpan007]

How to create a DVD with a menu using free tools:
Required tools:
- XMedia Recode (Encoding)
- GUI for dvdauthor (Authoring)
- ImgBurn (Burning)

XMedia Recode:
Here you can encode your video files to a *.VOB-file:
Bitrate: 9800kBit/s
Maximum Bitrate: 9800kBit/s
Minimum Bitrate: 0kBit/s or more
Don't forget to deinterlace if needed!!!
720x576 (PAL) or 720x480 (NTSC)
ask for more information, if needed.

GUI for dvdauthor:
use dvdauthor (easier to understand)
try it and play the created VIDEO_TS-Folder with MPC HC or MPC

Burn it with ImgBurn


I hope this helps you

PS: I use custom menus, where the next title is selected in the menu after playing one.
Ask me, if you like to use them, too.

[guns1inger]

When you say you have burned various movies to a disc, what exactly do you mean ? Explain the process you have used to this far.

[RKM1552]

When you say you have burned various movies to a disc, what exactly do you mean ? Explain the process you have used to this far.

1. Import .avi files (from movie camera) into Windows Movie Maker to create and edited/sorted Movie Maker Project File (.mswmm)
2. Using Windows Movie Maker, "Save Movie File" to an .wmv format.
3. Using 123MediaMax's Create DVD from Videos function, select desired .mwv video files and burn to DVD.

This process and/or these programs will not allow me to create menus or a catalog.

[RKM1552]

How to create a DVD with a menu using free tools:
Required tools:
- XMedia Recode (Encoding)
- GUI for dvdauthor (Authoring)
- ImgBurn (Burning)

XMedia Recode:
Here you can encode your video files to a *.VOB-file:
Bitrate: 9800kBit/s
Maximum Bitrate: 9800kBit/s
Minimum Bitrate: 0kBit/s or more
Don't forget to deinterlace if needed!!!
720x576 (PAL) or 720x480 (NTSC)
ask for more information, if needed.

GUI for dvdauthor:
use dvdauthor (easier to understand)
try it and play the created VIDEO_TS-Folder with MPC HC or MPC

Burn it with ImgBurn


I hope this helps you

PS: I use custom menus, where the next title is selected in the menu after playing one.
Ask me, if you like to use them, too.

I would like to have this as an option as well. Yes, I would like to learn how to create custom menus, but this menu process has me totally confused and seems extremely complex. Being a rookie, should I try the custom menu now or wait until I learn how to create a simple menu? Thanks!

[flashandpan007]

EASY WAY:
- drag and drop your VOB-Files on the menu
- create buttons for needed functions
- create VIDEO_TS-Folder

COMPLEX WAY:
Settings\Project\
- aktivate "advanced mode"
- deactivate "use titlesets" (only used for different aspect ratios on one dvd and makes Authoring more complex)

If you want that a special button is selected, then:
1. Mainmenu: right click\Menu properties\advanced Pre/Post commands Editor\pre commands\write: "g2=1024;
2. Post command of VOB: "button=x*1024; call vmgm menu 1;
x ist the button which should be selected: 2 for the second button (hidden buttons aren't counted)

If you want to make a special kind of feature then try this out:
- create a Videoclip which has only one frame (shortest video) (e.g.: PAL: 40ms (1 sec/25 frames))
- then the post command of your own big videofile should be "jump title 2;"
- add the short videoclip as title 2 and post command: "call vmgm menu 1;"
- So you can combine the two custom menus together

-----------------------------------------------------------------
Example with 3 Videofiles and 3 hidden files (add them everytime new)
MainMenu:
Pre Command: g2=1024;

Title 1: VIDEO_01.vob
Action: jump title 1;
Post Command: jump title 2;

Title 2: 40ms.vob (hide!)
Action: jump title 2;
Post Command: button=2*1024; call vmgm menu 1;

Title 3: VIDEO_02.vob
Action: jump title 3;
Post Command: jump title 4;

Title 4: 40ms.vob (hide!)
Action: jump title 4;
Post Command: button=3*1024; call vmgm menu 1;

Title 5: VIDEO_03.vob
Action: jump title 5;
Post Command: jump title 6;

Title 6: 40ms.vob (hide!)
Action: jump title 6;
Post Command: button=1*1024; call vmgm menu 1;

I hope that this is understandable how I wrote this
Use it, if you like this