VS PRO X4 fails to save DVD Menu Changes

[JosephC]

I have a seen one similar post but no real solution.

I have an MPEG I am attempting to turn into a DVD.

I have successfully split the video and imported the splits as chapter in the create disc DVD.

This all looks good; however, few of the changes I make in this screen persist next time I open the "create disc" window.

When I open it, it reads "loading project" and when I close it, it reads "saving project."

I have read elsewhere that this saving does not save and that the user must follow this up with file>save and I have without success.

In the menu & preview section, this is what I am witnessing.

On the top menu of DVD, I have changed the background and added some decroation. This saves.
On the top menu of DVD, if I change "Untitled" to "Scene Selection" it does NOT save.
On the chapter menu, if I change it to a difference template, that change is saved.
On the chapter menu, if I change the chapter text, it does NOT save.
On the chapter menu, if I modify the background to a simple png, it does NOT save.
On the chapter menu, if I attempt to change the music sound track it does NOT save.
On the chapter menu, if I change the

[Ron P.]

First I need to clarify that you have created a video file from your project (share>create video file), then cleared your timeline before opening the burn module? Once you opened the burn module, you then inserted the MPEG video file correct? From there you created your chapters and customized the various aspects, such as background images, and text titles.

Now once you have finished working on your DVD Project, you close the burn module, which should present the mysterious Saving dialog. Then you closed VS (editor), at which time you provided a name for this project, correct still? You then need to open the project that you saved, not the one that you used to create the MPEG video file. Once you have the DVD Project file opened, go directly to the burn module. The changes you made are not saved? If not, this is very strange, so far I've not seen this, with any of the versions I've ran, alpha, and beta, then finally the official release.

[JosephC]

First I need to clarify that you have created a video file from your project (share>create video file), then cleared your timeline before opening the burn module? Once you opened the burn module, you then inserted the MPEG video file correct? From there you created your chapters and customized the various aspects, such as background images, and text titles.

The steps I took, which seemed intuitive are
1. Start VSPX4
2. Add MPEG
3. Split scenes
4. Go to share
5. Choose create disc (my video already shows up there, nothing appeared to need importing)
6. add/edit chapters
7. auto add chapters at scenes (or something like that. it imported my split scenes as chapters)
8. dvd menu screen.
9. do some edits
10. close

So to answer your questions:
1. No, I never clicked share>create video file as my video already appeared in the burn module. So why would I need to?
2. No, I never cleared the timeline. Although I notice my timeline is now cleared while the story board still retains the splits. Why would I clear my timeline after going through the effort to create it? I really do not like the idea of not importing my chapters. The burn module window cannot be full screen making doing anything in it more difficult than it need be. (Now I am really disappointed the DVDMF doesn't work in Win7 very well.)
3. No, I did not insert the mpeg...my video was already there.

Now once you have finished working on your DVD Project, you close the burn module, which should present the mysterious Saving dialog. Then you closed VS (editor), at which time you provided a name for this project, correct still? You then need to open the project that you saved, not the one that you used to create the MPEG video file. Once you have the DVD Project file opened, go directly to the burn module. The changes you made are not saved? If not, this is very strange, so far I've not seen this, with any of the versions I've ran, alpha, and beta, then finally the official release.

I was under the assumption that the navigation menu of VS that reads something 1.Create 2. Edit 3. Share (or something close) represented all things that could be done in a single project file and since create disc was part of it, it would be included. But if I am understanding you correctly, DVD projects must be separate projects? That seems very counter intuitive especially with the burn module integrated into the project.

So let me make sure I understand what you are saying to do.

1. create a video project and change the video as needed.
2. make the video available for another project via share>create video
3. create a new "video" project that will be the DVD project.
4. insure nothing (no videos, audio, etc) is in the timeline.
5. go STRAIGHT to the share>create disc>dvd module
6. import the video from within the burn module
7. make chapters
8. modify menus
9. close burn module
10. file>save
11. close vs.

I will try your suggestion and get back to you. It might be a couple days.

Thanks.

[Ken Berry]

No, I never clicked share>create video file as my video already appeared in the burn module.

Your general thinking is correct that you can jump straight to the burning module after editing. However, you need to be aware that the 'video' which appears automatically in the burning timeline if you follow that workflow is not in fact video, but your project file (.vsp). And project files are in effect a small text file saying what video is included, where it is and what editing has been done to it. This is normally good enough for burning a DVD straight off, but there are, as you have found, problems associated with inserting chapters and saving them if you don't burn a disc immediately.

That is why many of us here use the workflow Ron has outlined. Anyway, try it and see and we will look forward to hearing the results.

[JosephC]

I got it. I am still at work and will not get the chance to play with until later this week.