Corel VideoStudio X3 Pro, Video Only Plays In Menu Preview

[pmillen]

I suspect that this question is software-specific and I apologize for posting in a general area but I have not received an acknowledgement in two other forums.

I downloaded the trial version of Corel VideoStudio Pro X3 as my initial foray into home video production. My first project consists of only three elements; (1) a snapshot from the opening frame with a title superimposed, (2) the video and (3) a scrolling cast of characters at the end. I used the bundled DVD Movie Factory Pro to burn the disc and apparently had no option to make a disc without an opening menu with only one element.

The project plays fine when I preview it from within Corel VideoStudio Pro X3. However, only the snapshot with title plays when the menu is used to start the production on a DVD/TV. Interestingly, the entire video plays properly (without sound) within the opening menu’s small window.

Can anyone offer suggested changes?

Thanks,
Paul

[DB83]

DVD Movie Factory allows you to load more than one video element to the timeline - you have two, the main movie and the end credits.

However, this program can only play one element and the next has to be selected from the menu.

To play more than one element straight after one another and with no input you have to use an authoring program that supports playlists.

The other way you can achieve this is to load both elements back into VideoStudio and create a single movie from them.

Do not load the first element - the title screen - in to the timeline.

What type of menu did you create ? A thumbnail one ?

Best to use a text menu - the movie's filename will appear as a clickable item on that menu and you can edit that text as you wish.

Then click edit on the menu screen and import your screenshot as a background image.

[pmillen]

Thank you for your prompt reply. I have absolutely no entry level knowledge. Consequently, I may not grasp your simple instructions. I’ll list them individually with my comments.

“What type of menu did you create ? A thumbnail one ?”
Not exactly. I hoped to create a DVD that would simply start with the title I created superimposed on the “snapshot” that resides on the VideoStudio X3 Pro File menu. When a VS X3 project is complete users are directed to select the third of three tabs—Share. Selecting Share opens the DVD-burning component, DVD Movie Factory.
It appears that every DVD produced must have an opening menu. All menu templates seem to have a typical menu selection list and a rather large preview window where the project runs silently. It’s in this preview window where the project flows nicely exactly as I planned; first the still with the title and then directly to the video.

“DVD Movie Factory allows you to load more than one video element to the timeline - you have two, the main movie and the end credits.
“However, this program can only play one element and the next has to be selected from the menu.”
So even though VS X3 allows me to sequence its snapshot, and two video elements and plays them in unbroken sequence when previewing, the DVD-burning component requires that they be isolated menu selections?

“To play more than one element straight after one another and with no input you have to use an authoring program that supports playlists.”
Well, okay. I’m not committed to VS X3. Do you recommend one that supports playlists?

“The other way you can achieve this is to load both elements back into VideoStudio and create a single movie from them.
“Do not load the first element - the title screen - in to the timeline.”
I reopen the project, remove the title screen “snapshot,” save the project and burn it to DVD with a two-part menu, one selection for the body and one for the credits?

“Best to use a text menu - the movie's filename will appear as a clickable item on that menu and you can edit that text as you wish.”
What text menu software do you recommend?

[DB83]

Now I have an older version of this program and with this I can select various types of menu from the menu screen of dvd movie factory.

SmartScene Menus
Test Menus
Thumnail Menus

All from a drop down list on the left panel

I believe the trial version is limited but there should still be at least these basic selections. So no additional software is required.

But you should also be able to create a dvd with no menu.

Load the main movie in to the time line and you should see a check box under 'Add/Edit Chapter' to the left of the screen. Un-check this box and no menu is then created.

Now back to your earlier questions.

You currently have two movies in your project. The main movie and the end titles. If you wanty to use this software and have both of them play you must create just one movie from them. So you do not use dvd movie factory but the main edit window of VS X3. Just import them in the correct running order - main move to the left of the end titles and create the single movie just like you did originally.

Not many packages support playlists. The current standard is DVDLab-pro. Ulead DVD Workshop could also do this but it is no longer generally available. There are also some others but their names escape me right now.

Now I may have read you wrong but I thought your first element was a still image. On the 'Add Media' window just above the timeline you may see a check-box 'Use first clip as introductory video'. Now I do not think this applies to still images but you could convert that still image in to a movie again from VS X3 >> insert image and drag it for the required length and then create a movie from that. You could then check that box, load the introductory movie as the first item which would then run when the dvd is played and then automatically play the main movie as long as you do not create the menu.

But what I was trying to explain is how you could use that still image as a background for your own menu.

Sorry if this does all sound confusing but we were all here one day.

[pmillen]

Thank you for your comprehensive replies. I printed the last so I can use it as a tutorial as I modify my project. I will post a synopsis of my results.

I posted my question on two other forums. One is Corel-specific. You are the only person to provide help. In doing so you have enriched my life, and hopefully, the lives of my friends and family as I become able to share video with them. I don't know what I can do to repay you.

Thank you.

[pmillen]

After making several changes in my format and burning additional discs (dreadfully slow compared to Roxio Creator 2011) I discovered that no matter what I do, the project on my Blueray/TV entertainment center will only play the first frame as a still photo—as though it's "frozen." However, all attempts play fine on my PCs.

Apparently I have some Preference set improperly. I saw a thread that appers to be the same situation so I'll read it carefully to see if there's a nugget of gold there for me.

I need this video for Christmas gifts. Two of 14 copies must be available tomorrow afternoon, 12/15/10.

There are other free downloads available for "test drives." That may be my next step.

[pmillen]

Nope. The thread that I thought may offer some assistance seemed to be a request for help copying copyrighted material.

[DB83]

When you say "all attempts play fine on my PC's" do you mean that the dvds you have created play OK in a software player or just the preview plays fine ?

[DB83]

And just another thought. Are you making a standard dvd or attempting to create a HD disk ?

Edit: (after 5 hours without response)

We can only help if there is some feedback.

You have also mentioned 'settings'.Without knowing these we are somewhat feeling in the dark.

[pmillen]

The *.MOD file from my camera is Hi Def, 16:9. I think that VS X3 automatically sets the output to match that, so I think that I'm making an HD disk.

All of the trial disks that I made that I thought were bad because they won't play on my home theater play nicely on the several software players on my PCs. Except for Roxio DVD player. It only plays the audio. I resurrected several disks from the "dustbin" and they were fine after being cleaned.

There are several settings, most contain unfamiliar terms. I don't know which ones you may be interested in. It appears that the flux capacitor must be aligned with the force field's ion generator.

I now have a master disk where the format (flow) pleases me. Roxio duplicates it in 12 minutes. I can make my copies and tell the recipients that they'll have to view it on their PCs until I can produce one that will play on their home entertainment systems. That relieves the pressure.

Now I have the time to research DVD editing software that I may think is more intuitive.

[DB83]

'Flux capacitor' 'force filed's ion generator'. I have to ask if I am now in the right topic as these terms are totally unfamiliar to me in terms of video and dvd.

There can be a steep learning curve and we all want to run before we can walk but there are some aspects you really should consider especially when you are sharing content.

Firstly there is the native format of your camera. There is no guarantee that any of your family can play this even on a computer. Are these people savvy ?

Your earlier disks could have played on your player. For that to happen your player would have needed to support the format that your have created. X3 will edit, create HD files and your blu-ray player will probably play these but would the people who you give the disks to also have similar equipment ?

In essence, you can only guarantee the disk to play on stand-alone equipment, or even on a PC, if you create a standard DVD. Even if your source material is HD then it should be possible to turn this into SD material for creating a standard DVD.

So, one of the first questions you must answer is what type of disk have you created. You can answer this by looking at the folder contents of the disk and comparing these with the 'What is' lists found in the top left corner of the page you are reading this reply.

[pmillen]

“Firstly there is the native format of your camera. There is no guarantee that any of your family can play this even on a computer. Are these people savvy ?”
I’m not certain what you mean by “native format.“ If you mean the *.MOD file type, it seemed to me that converting the *.MOD to DVD guaranteed that recipients would be able to play it on their home entertainment systems. All of them have DVD or Blu-ray players and are able to walk into a DVD rental store, pick-up a DVD movie and play it.

If you mean the 16:9 aspect ratio, it seems to me that the entertainment systems letterbox.

If you mean HD. I didn’t consider it. The VS X3 software has three tabs along the top corresponding to what Corel considers to be the three major steps in video production. The last tab (step) is Share. Selecting Share exposes six choices for sharing the production. One possibility is burning to DVD. It doesn’t have any sub-menus for selecting variables such as HD. I figured that I was making a DVD with characteristics much like those for rent.

I read through the early parts of the Corel Guide before I started this project. Two of the first segments that require my action are sections on setting project preferences and properties. Many are foreign to me (Proxy setting is one I recall, I didn’t know whether to select MPEG and Windows AVI for editing format) so I left the unknowns at default since there are no definitions or explanations of effects or considerations.

As a result I forged ahead and pieced together my project elements and burned my first disk. That may be running before walking but there wan’t any other guidance available. I perused two bookstores but was unable to find a step-by-step book.
“In essence, you can only guarantee the disk to play on stand-alone equipment, or even on a PC, if you create a standard DVD. Even if your source material is HD then it should be possible to turn this into SD material for creating a standard DVD.”
That makes sense to me. That’s what I thought I was doing. I’ll look in the VS X3 software for that “switch” to throw. But not until Monday, 12/20.
“So, one of the first questions you must answer is what type of disk have you created. You can answer this by looking at the folder contents of the disk and comparing these with the 'What is' lists found in the top left corner of the page you are reading this reply.”
Okay, I’ll do that Monday, too.

Enjoy your weekend.