Making Functional DVD M enus

[garystan]

Is it possible to create a "functioning" DVD Menu that would have "working" buttons (to perform a function), or
other programmable graphics to perform other functions? Such a moving a chapter (or two) ahead, or a button
when clicked, would give a decription of the movie ?
I've tried around 10 different dvd menu creating software, and 9 out of 10 were garbage.
And the ones that DO work cost around $799 and on up to the thousands.
I'd like to be able to create a DVD menu that would have these features.

garystan

[aedipuss]

to function means to work. all authoring programs make buttons that work. try for a little more detail in your question.

you could make a video that was a description of the movie and link a menu button to that. all that's required is for you to make it.

personally i use dvdlab pro all the time and haven't run into anything it can't do.

[garystan]

to function means to work. all authoring programs make buttons that work. try for a little more detail in your question.

you could make a video that was a description of the movie and link a menu button to that. all that's required is for you to make it.

personally i use dvdlab pro all the time and haven't run into anything it can't do.

I checked out that tip....for the dvdlab pro. The price is a little steep for the consumer grade level.
No doubt it's a good program, but the price is kinda high.
Thanks for the tip............................
garystan

[RowMan]

You might also want to look into Corel's DVD Workshop 2. It's been around for quite a while, but is still excellent and highly customizable. It used to be $300, but now can be had at the closeout price of $25.

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/311318-REG/Corel_Ulead_A25420111_DVD_Workshop_2.html

[guns1inger]

Don't know what you have been testing (I love the people who post saying "I have tested (insert number here) programs and they are all garbage and nothing out there works", but then never actually tell us what they have tested), but there are quite a few programs out there that happily do what you want. However at the cheap end, apart from the fire sale price on DVD Workshop, you get limited design capabilities and a more generic template driven focus.

If you want freebies you can look at GUIForDVDAuthor, DVDAuthorGUI or DVD Styler. They might not be as polished as the more expensive items, but they will do everything you need.

[garystan]

Don't know what you have been testing (I love the people who post saying "I have tested (insert number here) programs and they are all garbage and nothing out there works", but then never actually tell us what they have tested), but there are quite a few programs out there that happily do what you want. However at the cheap end, apart from the fire sale price on DVD Workshop, you get limited design capabilities and a more generic template driven focus.

If you want freebies you can look at GUIForDVDAuthor, DVDAuthorGUI or DVD Styler. They might not be as polished as the more expensive items, but they will do everything you need.

I guess that would've helped (me mentioning what I've tested)
The list is :
vd m pro x-dvd-creator 6
amer-dvd-creator Sony DVD Architect (a little limited in function)
Ulead DVD Workshop DVD Menu 11 (okay, i guess...doesn't have the functions I'm looking for )
Adobe Photoshop CS2 (probably would work.....but way tooooo excpensive)
vmlite winx-dvd-author (a little limited in function )
cdm
SamLogic CD Menu Creator (still learning the program....sounds kinda promising....maybe)
womble easy dvd (a keeper, a nice too for "finishing" dvd burning)
TAW4_Trial_4.0.9.37 (not sure yet...still working with this one)
Sorry about being so vague...............
But, I'd still like to be able to have programmable buttons and graphics on the dvd menu.

garystan

[guns1inger]

What do you mean by programmable buttons and graphics ?

The DVD specification is a pretty simple beast. There is only a very limited scope for very basic programming, and little real interaction. Mostly it is an illusion created by good planning. Looking at your list;

DVD Architect - well featured, with scripting and other advanced features. Not the simplest to use past the basics though. Has a bad habit of wanting to re-encode assets.
DVD Workshop II - powerful, well featured. Lacks a few things, like proper 16:9 support, but these can be worked around.
Photoshop CS2 - is a still image program - do you mean Encore ?
The rest are either toys, or limited to templates.

However I come back to my first question - what exactly are you trying to do ?

If you want pro features then you have to be prepared to pay a pro price, and to spend quite effort in learning how to use the software.