Ultimate Level of Authoring?

[TeFLoN]

Got a question fellas:

Do movies like Shrek represent the ULTIMATE level of authoring? Motion menus that interact when you select an option? Those scenes aren't in the movie so they definitely are created. Can you do that kind of stuff with likes of Maestro or DVD Architect? Or does that kind of level require a FULL TIME job that your paid to do it and using Scenarist? Are those hollywood types the ultimate authorers'? 8)

[Vejita-sama]

No you can do this for your home DVDs. In fact I made an xSVD of Duaility (that homemade starwars clip) that had motion menus, that transitioned to other motion menus, audio selection the works. It's just that it was a HUGE PAIN in the a&& to author With DVD (ie. Maestro) it's much easier. All you need to do is sit down and story board everything and set the proper commands.

(aside - Maestro is easier than using TSCV but it still requires a lot of planning to set everything up).

[VideoTechMan]

Well, Hollywood authorers arent the only ultimate authorers....i believe that ANYONE can be a good dvd authorer, as long as you have the tools to do it with. If you have enough money for a house downpayment, Scenarist is the way to go, course you will have to read the manual a few times before you get an understanding of it. ReelDVD is close to Scenarist as you can get, and from what i read Reel is compatible with Scenarist. But i dont believe that the high end people in hollywood should be the only ones to have all the good stuff. Everyone who is interested can achieve those same results, if they so desire.

VideoTechMan

[Machine514]

Just to clear things up for me...you can use Scenarist or Maestro to make animated menus (backgrounds) and motion buttons?

-Machine

[Vejita-sama]

Yes, I use Maestro (never used Sceiarist, don't have the cash) to make motion menus (and buttons 2x) all the time. A motion menu is really nothing other than another MPEG video file with buttons on it

Again, if you really plan everything out you can do this with VCDImager and a XML script (but TSCV or VCDEasy make it much easier).

I think it's like freeware vs. commerical software (although Maestro is commerial too). You can do everything you want with freeware, but you have to use several programs, documentation is poor-to-none, you have to plan ahead/think about a lot of variables, etc. etc. But with a commerical product everything is bundled together and you get much easier interface... if you've got the money to pay for it.

[crusty]

You actually cannot "create" motion menus with Maestro or Scenarist this has to be done in another type of video editing software i.e. Final Cut Pro, After Effects, Vegas Video etc.which are saved out as self contained movies. Maestro and and Scenarist are authoring programs only.

[Machine514]

I know that on the Apple Authoring programs (I think it is iDVD) you can have motion backgrounds and motion buttons. I was wondering what PC software would do that.

-Machine

[wingnut]

Hi guys

The new DVD LAB beta is looking like you will be able to do just about all of this at the cost of $79-$99 (it hasnt been released yet but when it is it will start at $79).

Checkout

http://www.mmbforums.com

and grab a beta (30 day) copy to see what you think.

I've been reauthoring my next gen box set backup using Smartripper/DVD shrink/premiere (motion menu redesign to accomodate 3 episodes) and using DVD LAB to put it all together


Cheers

Edz

[Machine514]

Wow! I just went to the web page for DVD-Lab.

http://www.mediachance.com/dvdlab/index.html

It sounds pretty good! I am going to try the beta tonight!

-Machine

[tgpo]

I use DVD Studio Pro and am able to easily make motion menus. It is all a question of time and money. How much time are you willing to spend and just the menu? And how much money are you willing to spend on software just to get a motion menu?

[Machine514]

DVD Studio Pro is Apple software. I need software for the PC.

-Machine

[Stinger007]

DVD LAB - where can you get the beta from??

i can't find the down load on the site

[tgpo]

DVD Studio Pro is Apple software. I need software for the PC.

From your original question it sounded more like you were asking CAN it be done, not HOW can it be done. My mistake.

[Machine514]

tgpo, sorry about that you were right...

Here is the link to download DVD-Lab...

http://www.mediachance.com/files/dvdlabup0427.exe

And here is the forum page...

http://www.mmbforums.com/cgi-bin/forums/ikonboard.cgi

-Machine

[Stinger007]

WOW - im at work and just had to install this program. it looks cool. Anyone knows when this is out??

[jsnkc]

Yeah, It "looks" cool, but still lacks a lot of the essential features to make it a competetive DVD authoring program, it is still in the catagory of DvdIt, DVD Factory, and MyDVD. Seems like they need to do a lot of updating to make it a worthwhile program.

[DaveS]

but still lacks a lot of the essential features to make it a competetive DVD authoring program

I'm looking at authoring apps - what is missing (this is not a wisecrack, but a real Q).

Also, anyone know why the beta is pulled from the site?

[Machine514]

The beta is still up there. I just downloaded it and tried it.

http://www.mediachance.com/files/dvdlabup0427.exe

-Machine

[nerdboy69]

You actually cannot "create" motion menus with Maestro or Scenarist this has to be done in another type of video editing software i.e. Final Cut Pro, After Effects, Vegas Video etc.which are saved out as self contained movies. Maestro and and Scenarist are authoring programs only.

I hate to get into semantics, but I beg to differ. It isn't a menu until it is all put together, and you don't do this in the video editing programs themselves, you do this in the authoring programs. Until then, they are just movies and bitmaps.

So I would say the opposite. You create the assets in these other programs, but you create the motion menus in Maestro or Scenarist or even something as lowly as DVD Workshop for that matter.

[txpharoah]

I use DVD Studio Pro and am able to easily make motion menus. It is all a question of time and money. How much time are you willing to spend and just the menu? And how much money are you willing to spend on software just to get a motion menu?

And as much as I hate to admit it, this is yet another reason why MAC is superior to PC in the video/graphics domain.

DVDlab is the answer to DVD Studio Pro. The I-doubt-you-really-bought-it Scenarist and Maestro are the only other PC option for fancy menus and interactions.