Questions from New User of version 9

[MattWest]

Hi all,

I'm a newbie both to this software and any form of video editing and dvd authoring.

I have a laptop that has the following sepc ;

80gb hard disk
1 gb memory
3.0 Mhz processor
128 Mb Radeon Graphics card
Single layer (I think) internal DVD -r(and rw) writer

linked via ieee1394 to a Sony PC110 mini dv camcorder (I know this is older kit but it fits an expensive underwater housing that I couldn't afford to buy new if i'd bought a later model camcorder!)

I have just purchased VideoStudio v9 and started playing at the weekend.

On finding this forum - there seems to be a ton of information. Is it easy to track down info specific to version 9. All the procedures listed out in the post about "Reading this first" are they relevant to version 9 as well? It seemed to be written for version 8.

Trying to intuitively use the product from scratch, as a total novice I found it OK, if not slightly clunky. I ran a capture of some footage, split it into 4 sections. Put in some basic titles, transitions betwwen the sections and then cut a first DVD.

Is there any way to move outside the templates for the DVD menus amd actually design the pages like you would in Powerpoint or any other package where you can drag and drop the components and resize them? That is the interface I had expected.

I also want to build customn mneus that I can then apply to different sets of footage that I capture for diving videos? Is it easy to build your own dvd menus and then store the format as a template to apply?

My other inital question is that on playing the DVD, at the end of the film, instead of returning to the top menu the film started playing chapter 1? How come this was the default behaviour? Did I do something wrong or miss an option??

Sorry this is quite wordy. I'll get into more specific technical questions - (and hopefuly some answers) when I get more proficient.

Thanks,

Matt

[GeorgeW]

1) you can make some changes to a menu template -- like the background image, and the number of thumbnails (or the layout of the thumbnails) on the menu. But you can't get full control like resizing thumbnails and text, or moving them around the menu -- you can do this in MovieFactory 4.0DC, and Ulead's Advanced Authoring package DVD Workshop gives you complete control over menu design.

2) hit the Gear icon, and there's a pulldown window for the default behavior at the end of the video. I think it is set to auto-replay, you probably want to uncheck that box.


hth

[jchunter]

Matt,
Regretably, all of the recommended procedure is applicable to VS9. The serious problems that trap new users are still present. After you learn how to manage and control properties at all phases of video editing, you will be a happy camper.
John

[MattWest]

Thanks for your answers. I'll get trawling through the rest of the info then when I have some more time to play.

Thanks and regards,

Matt