How do I make a DVD menu video run for more than 30 seconds?

[RCG]

I found where I can make a video backdrop for a DVD menu, but the limit appears to be 30 seconds. This is not the case in other programs. Is there a workaround?

[BrianCee]

I don't think there is - I have never found it necessary anyrate - why would you want a menu to run for more than 30 seconds - surely every one clicks through a menu as fast as they can locate the scene/chapter they want to view, I would guess that nobody views a menu for more than 30 seconds.

I do wonder though whether you really want to do something else - perhaps if you told us exactly what you want to achieve and why you expect a menu to run for more than 30 seconds we may be able to suggest alternative ways to do what you want.

and if you know another programme which can do it - why not just use that.

[RCG]

I don't think there is - I have never found it necessary anyrate - why would you want a menu to run for more than 30 seconds

With all due respect (and appreciation for your help/reply), that seems to be a funny reply. It is not without thought and much effort that I arrived both at my desire and with a video. Since you asked, the answer is that I'm making a DVD for my son's football team of their championship win and wished to put a faded highlights clip in the background that runs to a song. The duration is indeed 2 mins. Many will watch it before or after viewing the main title.

To answer another one of your questions, I have many times had the DVD menu on while waiting for other people or after a movie before I'm ready to get up. The most annoying of which are the ones who's audio-enabled video clips repeat in short order. This happened just last night while watching the Wedding Singer. After the movie, we were chatting and the video in the background was driving us nuts yet we were to lazy to turn it off.

perhaps if you told us exactly what you want to achieve and why you expect a menu to run for more than 30 seconds we may be able to suggest alternative ways to do what you want.

No tricks... I'm really trying to use the entirety of a 2 minutes video.

and if you know another programme which can do it - why not just use that.

Umm... I do know of another program that can accomplish this (Final Cut + Compressor) and to answer your question: because, first of all, I own a PC not a Mac and, second, because I spent a small fortune on this software and was hoping it could do what I want.

I don't wish to sound rude as I appreciate whatever help I can get and I know you are offering yours freely to me.

[BrianCee]

well - why not use the "use first clip as introductory video" option - this would play the 2 minute video complete before bringing up the menu - then after watching your preview you would just click through the menu

[RCG]

Appreciate the idea, but it doesn't make much sense (to me) to play a highlight real of the game before showing the game any more than you'd want to show clips of a Hollywood movie before showing the movie, yet they put them in the DVD menu.

[Trevor Andrew]

Hi

I am a little confused in exactly what you are trying to achieve.

If you want the viewer to be able to play the 2 minute video whenever they wish then simply add the 2 minute video to the timeline. (First Window—add video)

For each video you add a link will be available on the main menu.
Then set the Navigation Controls as Back to Menu.

Choosing one of the titles will play then return to menu allowing the viewer to choose another title/video

[DVDDoug]

Some other software you might want to try:
DVDstyler (FREE!!!)
MuxMan ($35 USD)
DVD-Lab ($100 - $250 USD)

These are DVD authoring programs (not video editors). They don't have the features of Video Studio and might be more difficult to use, but as far as I know, they don't have "artificial limitations" (except for the lower-cost versions of DVD-Lab). I have DVD-Lab and I have used it to make song-length menus.

I own a PC not a Mac and, second, because I spent a small fortune on this software and was hoping it could do what I want.

Video Studio actually is on the low-cost "consumer end" for video software. It's not perfect and it doesn't do everything, but IMO you get a LOT for your money. Final Cut with Compressor is more than three times the price, and Sony Vegas Pro is six times the price.

[RCG]

Hi

I am a little confused in exactly what you are trying to achieve.

I'm simply trying to create a default DVD menu (top menu) that has a looping video in the background that is 2 minutes long.