Need some creative layout answers (possible dvd lab) on menus

[mayf]

The production company I work for is interested in investing in some reasonably priced authoring software. I've been leaning tords dvd-lab which I personally love (despite a a recent issue of all my picture buttons turning blue once I author the dvd but thats for a different thread and day).

So the producers would like the dvd to reflect (styles-wise) the company website in form and function. Here is our website http://followproductions.com/Series/series.html.

I have some basic ideas on the best ways to implement this and what software to use - but would really like some second opinions. The use of these dvds will be to fish promos to various clients of our shows. One of the style features requested was that there be a central image that changes to match the show title(button) that you highlight - and would then of course click to play corresponding promo.


We're using pc's and have a moderate budget for this (say $200). Thanks so much in advance. I love this place.

[guns1inger]

DLP would easily do this, as would a number of other applications. The style of the website and some clever switched menus would give you the effect you are after. The main challenge would be to get everything in, given that some pages on the site have a lot of options, and small text doesn't work too well. However that will just require a little more creativity on your part.

The other approach to take is to think of the two products as complimentary, not identical, which gives you more leeway, so long as you remain thematically consistent.

It is not a difficult project to do, however it could be time consuming getting it just right.

[mayf]

thanks a lot...

any ideas on the changing picture idea and the best way to implement that with dlp?

[guns1inger]

Switched menus. There is a tutorial on it at Mediachance.com in the DLP section. Essentially, you create a seperate menu page for every option that requires a change, and make the act of moving between buttons cause the menus to switch. It is not difficult to do, but time consuming if you have a lot of options.

Switched Menus also tend to show up some of the short comings of the DVD specification - specifically the lack on continuity of audio when menus switch. You need to work with these limitations when designing the menu.