TMPGEnc Authoring Works 4 - Menu help

[NotSoEasy]

I have tried so many ways but not getting the menu I want. Maybe it isn't possible with this software?

I have 6 TRACKS but trying to not have all those have their own menu page.
Looking to see if it is possible to have -

----- TITLE (Play and Track menu)
-------- TITLE 2(from clicking Track Menu) - (List all tracks and choose and play from there - not goto another menu)

Do I need to set up clips differently during source input ?
Should I have only created ONE TRACK and just keep on 'ADD FILE' from that point?

[lordsmurf]

This software is very template-heavy. You really can't do much outside the few options it gives you.

If you're open to MUCH BETTER software, that's still as easy as TAW4 to use, look into using Ulead DVD Workshop 2, currently only $49 from B&H -- a freakin' steal, seeing how this pro software once cost $500.

If you'd like to keep suffering through the limited options in TAW4, let me know. If I get some time, I'll see what sort of workarounds might be possible. Honestly, the better software solves your problem for not much effort, and just a few bucks. Your menu options are very advanced with DVDWS2.

Read the guide for using Ulead DVD Workshop

[NotSoEasy]

Thanks for the reply. Much appreciated.
I have used their software so long I guess I just stuck with it.
It seemed like easy steps for the most part so ... I get comfortable I guess.
But I am willing to try something else that has the same feel.
I will give Ulead DVD Workshop a go and see how it feels.

[lordsmurf]

TMPGEnc authoring is mostly good for menu-less discs. If you want menus, it's just so rigid, and it does poorly with a few things (font visual quality, for example -- no anti-aliasing appears to be done, and that looks like crap). The fact that it's $99 compared to $49 for DVDWS2 isn't helping it either. TDA used to be cheaper, and now it just feels so overpriced for what little it does. If you want rigid templated menu work, you could use SVCD2DVD for less cost.

But even then, DVDWS2 comes with some nice menus to choose from, should you want a template. And those are really customizable, too -- not at all rigid.

[NotSoEasy]

Thanks for the help
If you do get time though maybe you could help me out with my original problem? Since I already have everything almost finished anyway but the menu I want.
I will be trying out DVDWS2 before I buy though just to see how it feels but have the feeling ( why I try before buy ) that my system might not handle this software

[lordsmurf]

Just note that the demo limits some things -- like no AC3. The full version has no such issues.

[NotSoEasy]

Odd, I found a link that has demo full feature for 30 days ...
LINK

[lordsmurf]

Hmmmm.... it used to not allow AC3 on the demo. It still might not. You'll find out once you start trying it.

[NotSoEasy]

Well I guess it does have limitations ...

This Trial Program has the following limitations:

• The Motion Menu feature is limited to 30 seconds.
• Maximum of 30 menus for one project.
• Maximum of 10 slideshow or video titles for one project.
• Maximum of 99 images for one slideshow title.
• Maximum of 20 chapter points for one video clip.
• No support for Dolby® Digital audio files.
• No User Guide in PDF format included.
• Less content included.
• No utilities and drivers included.
• Ulead offers no warranty or technical support for any trial programs. Ulead does provide a forum where you can get answers to your questions promptly.
• Please take a look at the product documents for help getting started.

Most of those are not an issue right now but DD is seeing as I am inputting HD source files ... but I guess I am just seeing how menu creation works anyway so ...

[lordsmurf]

You need to have your videos encoded before authoring -- regardless of software.