TMPEGEnc DVD Author Help

[bigb_y2g]

I recently started using TMPEGEnc DVD Author to create DVDs. It's a nice basic program and easy to use, but I wanted to know if you can import your own backgrounds for the menus? I also heard that you can create motion menus. Anyone know how to use these options (I didn't see how to do it)?

[corwin102]

To change the background double click on the background and select your image or mpg file. To use motion menu click the menu display settings button and go to the motion menu tab.

[bigb_y2g]

Thanks corwin102 for the quick response. I will try it out later tonight

[shimmergloom]

in somewhat the same vein, in order to have background music does the background menu files have to be mpg or can you import wav/mp3 files to play in your menu's like you can with sonic mydvd?

[corwin102]

Seems as though the audio has to be muxed with the video, so I don't see where individual audio files can be used in the menu

[CHAOS]

Yeah
The couple of times i have used still images i have just taken the audio i wanted and muxed them with the .jpg i wanted with TMPGEnc & then just imported them. if the audio i want to use is longer than the 15second menu time that is default in TMPGEnc DVD Author i just change the menu time to however long the background video is for the motion menus, like 29 seconds or whatever.

[shimmergloom]

how do you mix the audio with the jpg file?

[CHAOS]

I use TMPGEnc , close the wizard, put the .jpg in the video source & the .wav in the audio source then select the dvd template & encode, the video with the still & audio will be as long as the audio clip is, if you want it shorter you can go into the settings under advanced & choose "source range" and shorten it then use the audio edit to put in fade in & fade out so the audio does not just start/stop all of a sudden.
I actualy use Sound Forge for audio editing before hand but you can do it with TMPGEnc . this will only give you stereo sound but i figure you don't need ac3 or anything on the menus

[bigb_y2g]

That's a nice trick CHAOS! Thanks for the information. I have authored 3 DVDs with TMPGEnc DVD Author adding my own menu background, but haven't tried adding the audio yet. Each DVD is becoming an evolution of what I have learned

[CHAOS]

No prob.
Yeah, you can see the evolution of my dvd's through the first 5 or so, especially after they released an update for TMPGEnc DVD Author , 1.5.13.44 when they made it so you could move the thumbnails, text & links anywhere you wanted!!!
I also take diff. scenes from a movie, add them together, strip the sound off, then take just a music or sound effect track from the movie and put them together for menu backgrounds also, works out really nice!!!
when i first updated i actually re-authored a few to make the menus better.
Another thing i also do before even burning them is when TMPGEnc DVD Author makes the AUDIO_TS VIDEO_TS folders i check it with windvd to make sure everything rolls alright, it will play just as if it was on a dvd, i have said it before & i will continue to do so, this program is one of the best & easiest to learn & use!!! i don't even have use for any other programs with this, except dvd2avi & TMPGEnc for when i want to make movie backgrounds for the menus.

[bigb_y2g]

I also take diff. scenes from a movie, add them together, strip the sound off, then take just a music or sound effect track from the movie and put them together for menu backgrounds also, works out really nice!!!

Yeah, I had the same idea. It will look really professional that way. Makes me wanna redo some of my original DVDs, but discs aren't quite cheap enough yet for me to waste the ones I made already

Also how do you move the thumbnails? When I click on the thumbs it just opens the thumbnail for editing.

[jtoolman2000]

You need to click on some button to edit the menu and it will ask if you want to crate a new one. You agree and it will take you to fully editable menu screen. You chose from many editable templates and create whatever you want. Then you go to the options tab and chose whether to have motion menus and for how many seconds from each clip or chapter do you want it to play. It's too simple for words!!!

[CHAOS]

It's too simple for words!!!

Yes it is!!!! I was thinking if i had the spare time i might make a guide but iit's easier to figure out playing than to read a guide
it's the "Edit Menu Theme" button in the photo.

If you don't have that button on this screen you need to update to the latest version.

[lal]

CHAOS - Thanks for so much of useful info.

[bigb_y2g]

OK, I'm trying to add my .jpg for my main menu and mux it with the .wav file using TMPGEnc like you suggested, but I'm getting an error saying my resolution is wrong and it needs to be in multiples of 8 from 8x8 to 4088x4088

[Drakng]

Chaos.. It seems to me you are able to use motion background with sound successfully. I did the same, created a motion background with ac3, import to TMPGDVD but I get no sound only motion. Where did I go wrong? Can you help? Thanks

[Boydness]

I Got A Question About DVD Author As Well...

I Imported My Two .vobs, Built The Menu Pages, Then Output The Project.

The Write Tool Errored At: (Actually States 100% Completed!)
5920 (of 2085136)
13696 (of 2085136)

Record Now Max Gives This Error:
Error -10 At Sector 800- Command:2A Sense:FF ASC:02 ASCQ:0E


Now, I Am Considering That The Problem Could Be Due To The Fact That My .vobs Are Varying Bitrates... (The Rates Vary Throughout Play).


The Output From DVD Author Plays Correctly Through PowerDVD.


Anyone Have Any Ideas On What The Cause Could Be?
Or Maybe A Suggestion On How To Burn The Project?


Boyd

[praveen73]

Guys in this Thread,

I got lotsa good info about creating menu's here. I have a question.
Can i add an introductory video with TmpgEnc DVD Author before the main menu.

So as soon as the DVD is inserted, the intro video play first and then the
main menu appears ?

(Intro video is something...this video belongs to or created by XYZ)

Any idea's ? Any tricks ??

Thanks
Praveen73

[Gees]

I just put the answer in your other thread. :c)

[Shotsfan]

....and I just confirmed it.

Very useful info about backgound audio to menus here. Thanks to all.

I was making a DVD for a friend so I wanted to add a video that started when the DVD was inserted into the machine, along the lines of the familiar "DO NOT COPY THIS VIDEO etc etc".

I used Ulead VideoStudio to create the text "warning" saved it as a mpg. Then also constructed a "trailer" using UVS including some of the effects etc for around 30 seconds. Then joined the two together and it works great. Follow Gees guide in the above thread. The short section runs when the DVD is inserted then it goes to the main menu.