Pinnacle Studio 8 help wanted please

[bad_cardsuk]

I know there's probably better software out there but as a beginner It hought I'd give it a try...

I captured about an hour of video, added in several effects etc then came to do a menu. I worked through this and in the end I thought I'd got it right.

When I select the time line option I had it split into 3 chapters as planned, when I click on each chapter flag the relevent video segment started playing in the preview box - so far so good.

When I burned the DVD I can't get it off the menu screen on my DVD player, the buttons highlight but don't take me anywhere.

Is there something that I've forgot to do? or just didn't know about?

Thanks a lot for your time!

[hiptune]

Is there something that I've forgot to do? or just didn't know about?

Yes, you forgot to use Pinnacle strictly as a simple editing program, and you tried to author a DVD with it. It could be done, but you would be wise to look into something else more dependable for the authoring/menu creation.

And then burn your project with yet another app.

More control and better quality.

Jeff

[falberni]

You'll find your answer here:

http://webboard.pinnaclesys.com/read_forums.asp?WebboardID=1&SectionID=143&lng=1&Produ...DocTypesID=181

[bad_cardsuk]

Thanks for the replies guys.

hiptune...what software would you recommend?

Cheers.

[hiptune]

DVD Lab is becoming a favorite for DVD Authoring. Really amazing program. But be sure do print out the manual and read it good before starting on this one. And then have it handy as you go along to refer to.

Jeff

[donpedro]

You can try to read my post if you can find some help there

[Redd]

I've made more than Sixty DVD movies with Studio 8 ver. 8.5.21 & 8.8.17 including editing, authoring, compiling and burning. All with Menu/s, many chapters, transitions, sound effects, background music, stills, and both still and scrolling titles. All with Zero coasters.


I'm not sure what's up with hiptune

[hiptune]

I've made more than Sixty DVD movies with Studio 8 ver. 8.5.21 & 8.8.17 including editing, authoring, compiling and burning. All with Menu/s, many chapters, transitions, sound effects, background music, stills, and both still and scrolling titles. All with Zero coasters.


I'm not sure what's up with hiptune

Ok, then answer his question! Don't knock my reply and fail to offer one of your own. Let's here it.

Jeff

[dun4cheap]

Well I have been working with the pinnacle studio 8 extensively. First thing is first what version are you currently using. I recommend going to the 8.10.4c which was just released. Don't pay attention to the release date because c is the 3rd revision since the release date posted on pinnacle studios page.

Now I actually think studio 8 offers the most advanced menu creation setup yet. You can have mutliple animated menus and buttons, introductions prior to your menus. Albeit it can be buggy so here are some tips.

#1 delete your auxilary files often
#2 save every 2-5 minutes
#3 Repeat steps #1 and #2 often

Now creating a dvd and menu, first off make your movies first. prefferably with the video filter option off or this tends to blur your video. Once this is done create a new project called your dvd or something. Now start creating your menu and adding your tracks to the project. Once you have created your menus add a few buttons and link them as chapters or additional menus. At this point you should decide if you will be making animated buttons or not. Link them accordingly and when complete repeat #1, #2 above. Now you can test your project by pressing the dvd button near the preview window. Try it out and if it seems to work goto create DVD. Now I personally select burn to hard drive so I can test it in power dvd prior to burning. Once created you can burn the actual dvd in studio8 or I prefer Nero or recordnow. I have also found studio8 to be more stable with background processing and hardware acceleration off. Depending on my mood though sometimes I leave hardware accel. on.

The key here is to remember step #1 and #2. I also usually create mpg audio and process my videos at 8000k. I only wish their was an AC3 plugin.

Good luck....

[Will Hay]

I've made more than Sixty DVD movies with Studio 8 ver. 8.5.21 & 8.8.17 including editing, authoring, compiling and burning. All with Menu/s, many chapters, transitions, sound effects, background music, stills, and both still and scrolling titles. All with Zero coasters.


I'm not sure what's up with hiptune

Ok, then answer his question! Don't knock my reply and fail to offer one of your own. Let's here it.

Jeff

I too have used this excellent software for what seems like an age now, so perhaps you could give your reasons for why its so shite, rather than the wishy-washy ******* rubbish you actually posted, which neither had foundation nor reason?
Will

[curryman]

OOHH Will, you must calm down, .
I too have used this software for quite a few years myself, and although i love its ease of use I must admit it can be quite buggy at times, but saying that most of my problems were on my old pc (350mhz so on so on)
capturing analogue from a vhsc camcorder.
firewire for me all the way now - never dropped a frame and a lovely brand spanking new computer courtesy of the twat that drove into the back of my works van 15 months ago and gave me whiplash.
Though i do stick to version 7 and use tmpeng dvd author for my menus, tried version 8 - it was stable for editing but trying to add chapters and menus caused me lots of kid shouting moments.

[Will Hay]

OOHH Will, you must calm down,

Hey buddy, where you been?
Yeah, I know, but these two-faced 'experts' just drive me insane
Did you see his first post?
At least yours had substance and then he even lambasts others for doing the same!!
Someone show him where to go complain about my post please.
Oh, to hell with it, click here hiptune.
Will

[Will Hay]

capturing analogue from a vhsc camcorder.
firewire for me all the way now - never dropped a frame and a lovely brand spanking new computer...though i do stick to version 7 and use tmpeng dvd author for my menus, tried version 8 - it was stable for editing but trying to add chapters and menus caused me lots of kid shouting moments.

I'm the same as you, I just picked up an ADVC-100 and having a couple of teething troubles but man, whoever invented firewire wants knighting
Will

[Redd]

@ hiptune

It appears that bad_cardsuk didn't properly set the chapter points. Once a chapter point is placed, it still needs to be set, and the Short Cut Hot Spot on the Menu also has to be set. These are done from the same area when creating the menu and chapter points. Two simple check boxes right next to each other. When checking to see if chapter points work, use the menu in the preview window. Click on the chapter point on the menu in the preview window. This is how to check if the chapter point works...not clicking on the chapter flag itself.

All this is in the Manual. We have a saying on the Pinnacle message boards. It's called RTFM. Read the *#@%&*$@ manual. Studio is an incredible easy and intuitive program. Anyone can use it with success using common sense.

@ hiptune
Plus...lets get back to your reply. I saw nothing from you as to how to use Studio to help correct his problem! All I saw was you referring to different software. If you don't know how to use Studio, why are you sticking your nose in? Seems that you’re the one with the unusable and ridiculous answer that in no way relates to the original question Re: Studio.

hiptune...perfect name for someone from LA. Hey I'm form LA man :P

[Will Hay]

Isn't the edit button a wonderful thing?
Will

[Redd]

Isn't the edit button a wonderful thing?
Will

Indeed it is Will, indeed it is.

[curryman]

Yo Will, How you doin',
I'm still about, i just haven't had much spare time lately - sorting xmas out and things(can't type too loud, kids are listening).
Glad to see you have calmed down , i wouldn't want to see such a contributing member be told off by the bald' guy, but yes i see your point he wasn't very helpful

[Will Hay]

I'm good curry-face, and expecting a little girl (second child) in the Spring
As for the post...
...I can't change man, if a yellow ever comes it comes, I'll know it was deserved and issued properly
You have a good Christmas pal.
Take care,
Will

[youbecha]

So maybe all you faithful followers of Studio 8 can explain why my copy randomly crashes...

usually (almost 100% of the time) windows says it has to do with mpegencoder.ax

So sometimes it crashes within minutes, sometimes after an hour or so. I have blindly and faithfully uninstalled and reinstalled a couple of times, have the most recent patches on everything. I have about 100 GIGS of free harddrive space. etc. defraged, deloused, and cleansed of evil spirits and thoughts.

Yet still I am punished by the endless crashes. Oh sure occasionally it will render a file, and just when I am about to gladly welcome it back, it goes and starts crashing again.

My system is fast enough, with the latest of everything. Almost everything is shut down, 5 fans, perfect power, etc.

I only wish I was as sharp as some of the folks here that are able to NEVER have a problem.

oh please share some of your good fortune with a lowly person like myself.

[donpedro]

youbecha, you can read my story in post that you can find in my signature. If you have patience and time try that. But follow it...

BTW: There is som many variables in world of PC that non computer is same. Software/Hardware (mobo, ram, net.card, burner, os, patch, drivers, video card).... how can you find exact problem in situation like that ?

[hiptune]

So maybe all you faithful followers of Studio 8 can explain why my copy randomly crashes...

usually (almost 100% of the time) windows says it has to do with mpegencoder.ax

As I have said earlier, I do believe Pinnacle 8 is great for capturing, simple editing, and rendering to avi.

But I would never encode with it, author a dvd with it, nor burn said dvd with it.

This is where I differ with some. But most agree with me, for the best quality, use a different app for each step.

btw, DVD Lab for authoring and menu creation, and Nero for burning. Studio 8 has been good to me and I believe it is due to me not asking it to do too much. And I am picky about quality, so I prefer using several apps for my dvds anyway.

Jeff

[donpedro]

Yes hiptune, there are better tools for each task... It is only question of how much money do you want to spend to produce Best Of Breed Home DVD For people that are shooting fo PS8 it isn't much I guess Just try to add all the money together... what is final price of your solution ?

Here is mine:

Capture - Pinnacle Studio 8 - $99
Edit - Pinnacle Studio 8 - no additional cost
Convert - Pinnacle Studio 8 - no additional cost
DVD Authoring - Pinnacle Studio 8 - no additional cost
Burning - Nero - came with burner

Total - $99