Putting a book on DVD (visually)

[sdsumike619]

Does anyone here know there's software out there or if it's possible to put a book on a DVD? Meaning, the viewer can actually read the book on the screen? I saw an ad on TV for the Bible on DVD and it had some visual thing like that so that's what got the idea into my head. Thanks

[SingSing]

Scan the book page by page in Jpeg, then use a slide show to DVD program like MemoriesonTV.

Note : A page of print has much higher resolution than regular TV, so the outcome wouldn't be that great, unless the book is in BIG print.

[ozymango]

Sure, there are a bunch of ways to put books, or really any document you want, onto CD or DVD, and what tools to use depends on what you're trying to accomplish.

Do you want maximum ability for people to access the data (text, I'm assuming, though also possibly graphics) across various platforms? If so, then probably a simple plain-text (ASCII) format for text, and JPG/BMP/TIF for graphics. Then it's up to the reader to determine how best to view the data.

If the goal is a more interactive "front-end" so there's a built-in interface for viewing (reading) documents and images, then probably either html or pdf will give you very specific control over the layout and "look" of the book.

But for starters, in any case you'll always need to start with text in some kind of simple format for your program to "read" and then display, so if the question is really about -- are there tools to extract written text from a physical book (or printed page) and turn that into a format that can be "read" on a DVD (computer), apart from a plain page scan -- then the answer is, it'll cost you a lot of money and/or time to do that part. OCR scanning can be good but it's still slow, and will require clean-up to get the best data.

Anyway, yes there are all sorts of ways to get a "book" onto a DVD, probably literally hundreds of tools, and the best tools for the job depend on what kind of book you want.

[thecoalman]

You could probably do it with decent editor that has a scollling text function. You would need it all in text first though. Trying to do it by scanning would be all but impossible, the resolution would be too low.

[Bjs]

Or do you mean something similar to that used with shrek ... real fun .

Dosent cost a dime , but takes time ... a lot of time .

You can do this in blender , using repeated animation .

[videopoo]

Then you need to ask yourself why?

Why would anyone want to read a book on thier TV set? Before you say - "It can be played on someone's computer" - they're are much better ways of doing something like this.

DVD was designed to playback high quality video, so unless you plan to add some video to supplement the book on DVD I'd say find another medium.

[sdsumike619]

Thanks for the replies, we decided just to keep the book in book format after thinking about it more. It's basically going to be a DVD added to the book. The idea to have the book ON the DVD was to avoid having to have the book printed. But it was decided that the students would prefer a hardcopy book.

[guns1inger]

I would put it in pdf format in an extra folder on the disc. Saves you getting it printed and leaves the printing option up to the student. It also lowers overall production costs.

[sdsumike619]

Thought about that too. but it's about 100 pages; I don't believe the average joe is going to want to print a 100 page book, I sure wouldn't

[SingSing]

If you made them. They will.

[olyteddy]

Thought about that too. but it's about 100 pages; I don't believe the average joe is going to want to print a 100 page book, I sure wouldn't

I use a program called 'FinePrint'. it will automatically print a 100 page book on 25 sheets.

[sdsumike619]

I just looked at Blender and closed the web browser before I had heart attack!!!!!

[SingSing]

I just looked at Blender and closed the web browser before I had heart attack!!!!!

How so ?

Look and sound very Open GL.

[sdsumike619]

I have zero experience in any program like that. To someone that has never used it, allllllllll those controls look daunting....

[thecoalman]

Install it and start hitting buttons, you're computer isn't going to explode if you hit the wrong one...

[Supreme2k]

Or you could have the book printed for you here:
http://www.lulu.com/en/products/paperback/

Very reasonable.

[MOVIEGEEK]

EDIT

[dadrab]

There are many good companies that can print the book for you. These days, printing is relatively cheap. The key is to choose a printer close-by so you don't have to pay high shipping charges.

AND USE A REAL PRINTER. DO NOT USE ONE OF THOSE "PRINT-WHILE-YOU-WAIT" OUTFITS. They cost too much and the result is shoddy.

As with most things, printers will bid on work. If you have three or four in your area, give them the spec. and let them tell you what they'll charge. You'll have your choice of paper, binding and finishing.

Now, the .PDF idea's not a bad one either. If you don't want to flip pages, read it on a monitor.

(EDIT) I see you're in Vegas. I know from personal experience there are several good printers in the area. (END EDIT)

[jagabo]

Include the book as an RTF document on the DVD.

[workinmatrix]

You must convert every page text to jpg, and then convert every jpg to mpeg2, and then link every mpeg2 with button link.