Can anyone recommend a DVD authoring program that will fulfill my needs?

[smythotech]

Hello guys.

I have been editing DVD's for the past year or so using the free ware software such as Windows DVD maker, but now that I am more advanced and ultimately want to do more, I need your help on a recommend.


Things I want to be able to do:

1. Have animated video play in the background (like a complication of clips around 30 seconds or whatever, don't worry about mentioning editing, I can make it in sony vegas)

2. Have background audio playing.

3. Buttons that can be customized.

4. Menu transitions (For example, you click play, and the screen slowly dissolves into the main movie. I want to be able to pick from several transitions). < I know that is not available with Sony DVD architect.

5. Be able to pick the aspect ratio (16:9, 4:3)

6. Also the ability to bring in text in a cool way. So the main title text can dissolve in after 5 seconds or so.


Thanks in advance.

[Cornucopia]

What you may not realize is that "Menu Transitions", where the Menu dissolves/changes into a Movie, DON'T REALLY EXIST AT ALL in the DVD-Video spec. They're ALWAYS faked!

What happens is that your menu choice switches to a short movie that plays for the length of the "transition", showing a pre-edited clip that is the "transition" alone. Then, this clip AUTOMATICALY gets followed by the true movie. Depending upon the # of choices, you might have 2-30 something pre-built "transition movies" (created in a regular video editor).

So, believe it or not, DVD Architect CAN do this type of effect.

In fact, with the exception of #6, DVDA can do all this. Even #6 is possible, if what you're referring to has to do with Text as part of a "Delayed Button-Over-Video" menu. If what you refer to is scripted subtitle motion FX, however, DVDA still can't do that. AFAIK, only Scenarist, Maestro, DVD StudioPro, and maybe DVDLabPro can do that.

Scott

[poisondeathray]

In fact, with the exception of #6, DVDA can do all this.

Why can't it be done as a motion menu ? (I mean do the text dissolve or effects in vegas or another program, but still use DVDA to author)

[smythotech]

What you may not realize is that "Menu Transitions", where the Menu dissolves/changes into a Movie, DON'T REALLY EXIST AT ALL in the DVD-Video spec. They're ALWAYS faked!

What happens is that your menu choice switches to a short movie that plays for the length of the "transition", showing a pre-edited clip that is the "transition" alone. Then, this clip AUTOMATICALY gets followed by the true movie. Depending upon the # of choices, you might have 2-30 something pre-built "transition movies" (created in a regular video editor).

So, believe it or not, DVD Architect CAN do this type of effect.

In fact, with the exception of #6, DVDA can do all this. Even #6 is possible, if what you're referring to has to do with Text as part of a "Delayed Button-Over-Video" menu. If what you refer to is scripted subtitle motion FX, however, DVDA still can't do that. AFAIK, only Scenarist, Maestro, DVD StudioPro, and maybe DVDLabPro can do that.

Scott

How do you do it in Sony DVD Architect then?

I was browning a lot of the options and can't seem to find it.

Nero9 does it, but Nero9 has a famous problem with encoding.

[dragonkeeper]

How do you do it in Sony DVD Architect then?

The way I've always achieved these types effects wasto build an avi (with desired sound effect) that had the effect i wanted. Then encode the avi into mpeg-2 with AC3 audio.

Then when building the menu structure I'ld link to the mpeg file containing the desired effect. And on completion of the mpeg file the appropriate command was carried out (i.e play movie, go to scene selection, go to setup etc.) Bear in mind you have to create a separate effect file for every button that you want effects on. I only do this on very special projects or for customers who are willing to pay about $100 per hour for the development of custom menus.

Once you have the mpeg-2 assets any authoring program can do these things. Utilizing the DVD menu I have built simple games using this method.

[Cornucopia]

@poisondeathray,
Read on..."Even #6 is possible,..."

@smythotech,
There's no "create transitions" scripted button or anything like that, but it's all in the planning:

Say you have Menu1 and MoviesA and B...

In your video editor you create MovieA and MovieB. In your photo editor, you create Menu1.
Then you import the Menu1 picture into your video editor, create an additional timeline, and put in Menu1 (for a short period of time) and append that with MovieA.
Then you create the transition between the 2 items (dissolve, morph, whatever...).
Then you Export a TRIMMED version of your timeline that encompasses only the transition length as the In+Out points of the Render - call this TransitionA.
Do the same thing all over again with Menu1+MovieB.
Now, when you author, you have a Menu using Menu1 as the Background. Button1 choice takes you to TransitionA (which can be an auto-ending menu or a short movie title, depending on how you want it to operate and on which authoring app is doing the work. TransitonA ends and auto-takes you to MovieA. Similarly Button2 choice takes you to TransitionB, which takes you to MovieB.

See - nothing real special, just a little preparation and "slight of hand".

@dragonkeeper,
Not ANY authoring app can do this, as some have problems with # of titles (this can get big real quick using these methods), some have problems with motion menus or button-over-video, etc. Most apps can, all the better apps can, but not all apps by any means.

Scott