can't seem to customize menus Please help!

[radman2020]

I have a 3 chapter video ready to go. I want to make a dvd.

I love the smartscene menu with the bride and groom and the light streaks in the background. I would love to put a static picture where the bride and groom is rather than having my video start to play... Can I do this somehow? Having opening credits come in over my menu just doesn't look good..

If not, why won't it let me pick where the video starts? It does it if I pick a background video?


I could pick a background picture... but it won't let me resize!! Can't I drop a picture on top?

There is lots of customization possible but these basic features aren't there that I can tell. Can someone please help me?!?

thanks!!

[sjj1805]

The answers to all of the above can be found here:-
Authoring a DVD

[radman2020]

thanks... it is a shame it is so constrained...

ok... so, if it will only let me use a thumbnail from one of my chapters...

my chapters are really three different videos. Can I set a "chapter" without it listing it in the menu and then use that for the main menu thumbnail (essentially picking where my thumbnail starts).. will it repeat the thumbnail.

it is so weird that this is constrained.. my nonvideo proshow producer photoprogram will let me do more with custumization than this dedicated video program...

any suggestions?

thanks.

[radman2020]

I saw from your excellent online guide that I couldn't pick where the video started on the smartscene (or thought I couldn't)

So I made a thumbnail version... and did pick where it started......

then I went back to the smartscene one and it started where I had picked!!! even though there seems to be nowhere to modify that in the smartscent area.

am I missing something?

thx

[radman2020]

Now that I watch this... not only does it start from where I set the thumbnail for the OTHER non-smartscene menu... but it plays a portion OF ALL THREE.

This is nice .... if I had any control over it. Is it supposed to do this?? Is there a way in the smartscene menu to modify this so I don't have to make a thumbnail version first then switch. surely they didn't design it that way..

await your sage advice...

thx

[sjj1805]

I am at my workplace at the moment but your finding sounds really interesting. I will have to check this out when I get chance at home.

[radman2020]

thank you. I await your reply.

there really is no excuse to have such weak menuing in an otherwise excellent program. I picked this over Premiere but now I am a little sorry.

what I seemed to have found is a bit of a workaround but it isn't really satisfactory....

I am interested in your findings.

[Black Lab]

it is so weird that this is constrained.. my nonvideo proshow producer photoprogram will let me do more with custumization than this dedicated video program...

Quite the point. VS is a video editor, with some authoring capabilities. Many use dedicated editors for their editing and another dedicated authoring program to author the DVD.

[radman2020]

i agree. but this is very very basic menuing.

Nothing fancy at all. The stuff they have should be a little more customizable...

[Black Lab]

They can't possibly have every bell and whistle included and keep the price reasonable. Heck, even most professional level editing systems don't have ANY authoring capabilities.

[radman2020]

my less sophisticated, non dedicated programs at least let you select a thumbnail...

crappy roxio even allows that..


or resize the picture...

this is very very basic stuff.. not bells and whistles

[sjj1805]

Now that I watch this... not only does it start from where I set the thumbnail for the OTHER non-smartscene menu... but it plays a portion OF ALL THREE.

This is nice .... if I had any control over it. Is it supposed to do this?? Is there a way in the smartscene menu to modify this so I don't have to make a thumbnail version first then switch. surely they didn't design it that way..

await your sage advice...

thx

Now I am back home I think I know what it is you are viewing - and it is not quite what you think you are looking at!
On a smart Scene Menu there is ONE (large) Thumbnail and 3 / 4 links.
When you hover over a link it starts the preview for that link in the large thumbnail.

Smart scene menus are a special type of menu that effectively combines a text only menu with a thumbnail menu.
A text only menu has no thumbnails.
A thumbnail menu has several thumbnails - one for each link on the menu page, so if you have 6 links you have 6 thumbnails.
A smart scene menu is like a text only menu but has the addition of ONE thumbnail. The thumbnail displays whichever text link is currently selected.

Regarding setting the starting point of a thumbnail, this can only be done with Titles, not Chapters - it is something I have previously suggested to Corel as something that could be developed in future versions.

To alter a title thumbnail you go to the screen prior to the menu screen. It is the one that allows you to add videos, add/edit chapters.
1. Select a thumbnail.
2. Move the playback head on the preview to the desired starting point
3. Right click the thumbnail
4. Select "Change Thumbnail"

All of the above (and far more) is contained in the link I gave earlier
Authoring a DVD

[radman2020]

ok... I understand...

by using the thumbnail titles, it was setting the title. I couldn't figure out how to do that with the smart scene.


i guess it was in your guide... but it is hard to digest all that when you are a newbie!!

thanks

[TedJohnson]

Radman2020

I agree with you completely. My opinion is that VS11+ is remedial at best as regards customizing the menus.

Now before you all throw darts; hear me out. IF your project fits precisely with the limited editing capabilities, then you can have some very good menus for your project. BUT, if you have a need to vary from the provided templates, then you are "up-a-creek". Again, this is all in my humble opinion. Heck, you can't even add an additional text box. Again, only my opinion.

I agree with you that other less sophisticated programs offer far better authoring capabilities. The program I'm thinking of is named after a first century AD Roman Emperor.

Further, I have another program which sells for less than VS11+; and it has extensive authoring capabilities and is every bit as capable in the editing department. The name of this program is similiar to VS11+; just drop the "V."

Yes, every program is different in regards to their respective strengths and weaknesses. In my opinion VS11+ is lacking in authoring capabilities for what is costs. Since it markets itself as an editing and authoring program it needs to up its authoring capabilities. But, Corel owns this product and it is their choice. I would like them to improve it so it becomes more competative. Then there is a win-win.

Again, the program is what it is. This is just my observation from owning and using all the latest retail versions of the products mentioned in my post.

Ted

[sjj1805]

TedJohnson
So you will be adding your thoughts to this then:-
Your input please: VideoStudio "PRO"?