complex DVD I'm trying to author

[vortexx]

HiGuys,
I've been reading the forum on and off for many years but this is my first post.
I'm making a very complex DVD and an hoping someone might be able to steer me in the right directions.

I'm planning on using DVDLAB. Does it allow you to add a commentary track selectable at the menu? If not can you recommend something.

I'm also planning to add photos as an extra. Is it possible to add them in such a way that the viewer click to go fro photo to photo?

I have some video clips that I authored in tmpgenc in a dvd compliant mpeg. Is it possible to tack on credits against a photo or black background without re-rendering the file?

Is there a program that would let you superimpose fancy text over a video file in various spots? The file I want to use is 90 minutes.

If anyone can help with any of these I would really appreciate it. Thanks in advance!

[guns1inger]

Yes, DVD Lab Pro allows you to add multiple audio tracks, including commentary tracks, and have them selectable by menu. The same for subtitles.

DLP creates a standard automatic slideshow. If you want one that is user controlled you will have to create it manually. It isn't difficult, and would be done by using menus for the slides with hidden buttons that auto-select in either direction.

DLP won't do video for you, but you can create the credits as another video and link them in DLP, or create a still menu and have the video link to that instead.

If you want it truly superimposed you will have to re-encode the video. Any editor can add the text, but re-encoding risks a quality drop. Other options would include subtitles (which DLP can do, and which can be positioned in places other than the bottom of the screen) or possibly with external subpictures created in photoshop.

[vortexx]

Thanks for the help.
I'm learning how to do some of this stuff for the first time so any help is appreciated.

[tonyaldr]

DVD Lab Pro is fairly expensive, is there another program that is available for more "budget" minded folks that can create DVDs with multiple audio/comentary tracks that can be selected by menu like most commercial DVDs? Thanx.

[guns1inger]

I believe you can do it with GUIForDVDAuthor. There are plenty of cheap and free tools that will create discs with multiple audio and subtitle tracks, but very few will let you set up menus to select which one oyu want. That is a feature left to the big boys, which means money.

[tonyaldr]

I'll give it a shot (no pun intended). Thanx!