DVDMaestro Motion Menu Help

[blade0819]

Hello. I'm trying to setup some motion menus within DVDMaestro (version 2.9) and can't seem to get it working properly. I'm looking to have motion menus (15 second video clips running in the background for each menu) and would like to add thumbnail pictures for chapters as an overlay for the menus. Is this possible? My only choice seems to be creating a subpicture (I'm using Photoshop) with buttons to overlay on top of the video clip playing within the specified menu. With the 4 color restriction with an subpicture overlay within DVDMaestro, this does not seem to meet my needs.
I'm thinking that I may be forced with just going with a still background picture and overlaying thumbnail pictures which I can setup with buttons. I'm also looking to create motion buttons (chapters) as seen in the movie "Shrek." I'm wondering if this is at all possible with DVDMaestro? If not, can someone refer another application or software package capable of my needs?
Also, would anyone know of a guide, manual, or any type of documentation for DVDMaestro? I've tried using Google to no avail for documentation searches. I've obtained the DVDMaestro guide from Doom's site, but I need more detail.
I just purchased (should be receiving it within days) a Cinemaster PCI DVD Decoder card. This should allow me to now use the preview mode within DVDMaestro. I'm currently using Windows XP and the card should be automatically detected by XP. Has anyone been able to use the preview mode without the Decoder card? If so, how and which drivers did you use?
Finally, I'm looking to have a Dolby Digital movie intro start before my Main Menu comes up. I believe I can only choose either or for a first play. Would anyone know how to accomplish this?
Please let me know if anyone can answer my questions. Thanks for your time.

[shinomen]

to be honest with you, I don't know if you can do motion menus in dvd maestro. I though you could too, and thats why I got it but I haven't found any place that actually explains how to go about it. The only other motion menu articles I've seen have been using TSCV which is for VCD and SVCD. I suppose you could get it to work somehow with dvd, but then you would have to author the DVD in TSCV. (which means no language selection and whatever other features it doesn't support) If you do find a way with maestro let me know.

[kabanero]

Hi blade,

Quote from Maestro Manual:
"Note: Remember, motion effects are created outside of the DVD authoring environment using "conventional" editing and effects tools. The output of these is then brought into DVDMaestro as a standard video file".

I use Vegas Video 3 or Media Studio Pro 6 to create video for motion menus.

Hope this helps.

[shinomen]

Adobe after effects is really easy to use to make the motion menus you want. There's a tryout version on thier website. Unfortunatly it's hard to crack. (if your into that sort of thing)

[odyssius98]

maestro + cinemaster 2000 dvd player = no decoder card needed

[odyssius98]

Hi blade,

I use Vegas Video 3 or Media Studio Pro 6 to create video for motion menus.

Hope this helps.

I think blade was asking how to use Maestro to author a DVD with motion menu, not "how to make motion video".

I am also interested because of the lack of documentation of maestro.

Could you describe more details?

Thanks

[shinomen]

Ok, authoring the motion menus isn't too hard. The only thing motion menus are is small video clips with selection buttons layerd on top of them.

Before you actually get started with maestro you need to make a subpicture for your motion menu. To do this I use adobe premiere to cut out a single frame from my motion menu to use in photoshop. (you don't have to get the frame this way, it's just the way I've gotten use to) Then open your frame in photoshop and create a new layer. Use your square select tool to select the areas where your button sellections are going to go. (usually over words like PLAY, SCENE SELECTIONS, ETC.). Make sure that you fill these button areas in with the color black. Once you have selected where your buttons are going to go and filled them in with black, go ahead and delete the original picture layer so that all you have is the black squares on a transparent background. Save this file as whatever.PSD.

Still with me? Now open up your DVD Maestro and double click on your first menu. Import the video clip that you want to use with your menu and place it on the menu1 background. Then import your PSD file that you made and place that on top of the same menu background. (you'll have to play around with it, you might have to put the PSD on first, then the video clip)

That should be it for the motion menu part. A couple of extra things you can do is click the playback control tab and select the loop option, and you can also add music to the background on the same tab.

Have Fun

[odyssius98]

Hi shinomen,

Thanks. I think I got it. The motion menu is just another video on the back. I always misunderstood that it's a still picture with something moving on top of it.

I have one more question: in DVDMaestro, can you preview the motion menu? I press "navigation simulator" and it shows still....so I don't know if I get it right or not.

Thanks

[shinomen]

When you start DVD Maestro does it say no decoders found, realtime funtionality disabled, (or something to that effect anyway)? If so that's the reason why. If not then try checking out your real view window under where view at the top.

Let me know if it works.

[odyssius98]

I installed the cinemaster 2000, so actually I can do the preview for movies.

Here are the steps I made for simple trial:
import a mpv file
drag the mpv file into the background of menu1

And that's it...but I didn't see that movie gets played when I navigate nor in the realview. (I think the realview can only preview the MOVIE, not the menu)

Well...I guess I will just have to burn it to a DVD to see if the motion menu really works.

Thanks

[FusionMafia]

I always prewiev the menus bu compiling the project and the watch it with PowerDVD or some similar dvd program. Works well..

Does anyone have any links to and Meastro related sites? Would be nice to find some tips&tricks.

[Lady Tatjahna]

I want to know which version will work with DVDMaestro AND WindowsXP... Also, WHERE to buy this product ?

Thanx all!

[FusionMafia]

I have 2.9 working well in XP. Maestro is not in sale anymore (correct me if needed). Apple bought the whole company and 2.9 should be the latest version.

[Lady Tatjahna]

Oops sorry I mean Which version of CineMaster or CinePlayer (?) will work under XP ...

I am on the Sonic web site, and I am hesitate to buy the CinePlayer 4.0 if it doesn't work with MAESTRO and XP !!

Thanx all!

[FusionMafia]

I would also like to know how to get the realtime preview to work..