Some problems creating menus in X4

[sambucadog]

Newbie to this forum, and to X4. I was just beginning to feel comfortable with constructing my project and liking the software until I started the menu making process. Now I feel like I'm in the middle of a train wreck.

Before completing my final project which is basically one long vsp with multiple chapters (vacation project: mostly stills (jpg) with transitions/effects plus a few video segments), I decided to do a test burn. Some of the things I am noticing after entering the 'Share>Create DVD' area are:

1. I am stuck with templates for menus...which are only somewhat customizable. When I go to customize text, position etc, and come back to it later, nothing is saved...or perhaps only one or 2 things. It seems random. Naming chapters in the timeline is apparently futile, they don't carry over (I read others have that problem too). But equally as futile is going through the work in the Create DVD area and coming back to it later and maybe the chapters names are saved, maybe not. The chapters themselves seem to stick. The template itself, and all of it's attributes seem to have a mind of their own. It says it is saving when I exit back to the timeline, but it's telling a fib! Am I missing something here? (known to happen)

2. I changed the audio for the menu to an mp3 that is in the project. I trimmed it to about 30 seconds. It played well the first few times in preview. After that it kept clipping it to about 5 seconds. Once again, randomly it would do this. When I finally got it to play OK in preview (after spending about 15 minutes just deleting and re-inserting audio), I burned the disk. The audio on the disk was clipped to just a few seconds (looping) again. VERY frustrating.

3. Somehow in the burning process, the Mercalli filters vanished and I had a lovely message burned over 2 video clips saying that it needed to be re-done. Re-applied Mercalli, haven't burned another disk yet.

Any advice on these things would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks in advance.

Monica

[Trevor Andrew]

Hi Monica
Welcome to the forums...
There seems to be a lot going on here, I will try to address

Chapter points
There are problems here, Do not create in the edit-timeline, create these in the burner module (Share Create Disc)
Returning to the edit timeline after hitting Close shows the process as saving the project, a bit ambiguous, we don’t really understand what is going on here, although I think its transferring the burner module settings to the project within the timeline, now you have to save the project again. File Save or Save As
Returning to Share Create Disc should have saved the menu details.
Naming chapters should be retained when accessing the project again, providing you have applied the latest patch to X4 which seems to have addressed this issue.

MP3 audio has cause problems, Personally using MP3 with a bit rate over 192 seems to cause me problems, I don’t think there is a specific fix if you have problems you are recommended to use Wav instead.

Creating a Disc process
From a new project (nothing in the timelines) Share Create Disc-Add Video Studio Project files VSP
For each file added a link/thumbnail is placed in the main menu.

However
I would recommend rendering your projects to a Mpeg2 using suitable settings to burn a disc.
(First remove all chapter points) The exact properties use to create the new file depends on the properties of your original video files.
Then start a new project (nothing in the timelines) Share Create disc –Add Video files.
Remember when leaving the module, on Close, to save the project File Save, yes the timeline will be empty.

Mercalli filters
Sorry but cannot comment as I have the earlier X4 version and do not have these filters.
But by rendering the projects to a new video file as above would preserve your edits

[sambucadog]

Hi Trevor, thanks for the response.

First, the good news:
Re: Chapter names vanishing: The patch was already applied, I just needed to save more often. That fixed the chapters etc disappearing. Thanks.
Re: Mercalli, In my second burn, the filter disappeared again even after correcting and saving. Then, in an attempt to boost the quality of my jpgs, I unchecked anti-flickering. It somehow solved the Mercalli problem, the clip burned just fine on the 3rd try.

Still in question:

I'm a little confused..are you saying that before actually starting to add photos and videos to a brand new project I need to "Share Create Disc-Add Video Studio Project files VSP"? Or After the project is completed, created another project to bring the finished project into?

And in rendering to Mpeg2, I'm not all that technical...what properties? I removed chapter points, started new project, Share Create disc0Add Video file, closed and saved. Where does the Mpeg2 thing come in? Sorry for my ignorance, this is beyond my knowledge base...and I think I'm slightly more savvy than the average Joe or Jane just looking for some user friendly software to assemble home videos.

Re: audio....still bad news.
I converted the mp3 to a wav in Audacity. I put the wav as the background audio for the menu, marking the 32 seconds I wanted. It still previewed clipping some audio, but played almost to the end of my selection.
I then went to Audacity, made tempo faster and trimmed the file to 29 seconds and tried using that file in it's entirety. It STILL clipped off a few seconds in the preview. I thought maybe by keeping it under 30 seconds it would help, but it didn't.

So I tried with a different mp3...converted to wav and applied as menu background music. Same thing but worse!! Now when it loops it plays the selection, then about 1 second of it, then the whole selection. And it keeps looping that mess.
What next?? Just live with no audio in menus?

[Trevor Andrew]

Hi

Sorry for any confusion.

When we burn a standard DVD the file used/burned to the disc is a Mpeg2 type file.

From the beginning
Start a new project, here we add our video files, images, audio editing the project.
The project can be saved as a Video Studio Document a VSP.

Once we have completed the editing we wish to burn a DVD there are several approaches to doing this.

Option One------------is probably what you are using
With the completed project open in the timeline Share Create Disc, the burner module will open the project will show as a single thumbnail.
Create the Menu, finally hitting the Burn button on the final page
The process starts with Convert Title, this is converting the files to mpeg2. the properties used can be seen under the Options Cogwheel (project Settings)lower left.
The mpeg2 files will be saved to a temporary folder and then used to burn the disc.
--------------------------------
Option Two
Start a new project (empty timelines)
Share Create Disc—Add VSP, use the completed VSP project file edited above.
You can add further files, for each file you add a link/thumbnail is placed in the main menu.
The process continues as above Option one.
----------------------------------
Option Three—I would recommend trying this option…….
With the completed project open in the editing timelines we Share Create Video File – DVD this renders/converts the project to a single Mpeg2 file, the video file being compliant, ie suitable to burn a dvd. The Mpeg2 will contain all editing techniques you have applied to the project.
Using a media player you can play the video file to check for quality prior to burning.

To burn this file
Start a new project (empty timelines)
Share Create Disc, opens the burner module
Add Video File, adding the Mpeg2 file created above.
Create menu then finally hit the Burn button
The burn process will /should start with Convert Menu, the Video File being DVD Compliant will not be converted again. The process to burn the disc will be quicker as the Mpeg2 file already exists.
---------------------------------------
These apply to all options,
Saving the menu details, after closing the burner module you are returned to the edit timelines now you must save the project, this should preserve the menu structure.

Creating Chapter points should be done in the burner stage not in the edit timelines
---------------------------------------
Menu Audio……….
DVD Menu, there is an option for using Motion Menu, (edit Tab) this limits to 30 seconds, default to 20 seconds.
If you wish to play audio longer than 30 seconds, deselect the Motion Menu option.
------------------------------------
Share Create Video File DVD, this option uses a standard template, this may not be using the exact settings for your project. Some of the settings used should reflect your original video files properties.
Can you give these details.
From the edit timeline or library, right click your original video clip and select properties, what are they?

[Ken Berry]

Start a new project (empty timelines)

Just to expand a little on this statement by Trevor, especially in regard to his Option 3 (which is the one I also use): if you still have your edited project open in the timeline, even after you have produced the new DVD-compatible mpeg-2, then when you select Share > Create Disc > DVD, the *project* file (VSP) will automatically be inserted into the burning timeline, and not the mpeg-2. That is not what we want. So the idea is to completely clear the editing timeline, and the way you do this is to select File > New Project. This will automatically clear the timeline and present you with a new, empty one. You don't have to worry about giving the new project a name. The primary objective is just to clear that timeline.

With an empty timeline, moreover, the only option available when you select Share is 'Create Disc'. And if you select that, the burning module will open with an empty timeline as well. And then you insert your new mpeg-2.... and proceed from there.

[sambucadog]

First, Happy New Year to you both!

I follow what you are saying about Option 3. I created the mpeg, but now the Mercalli problem has resurfaced. The original saved VSP was fine, but after creating the mpeg, not only did the mpeg loose the Mecalli effect when I previewed it, but it somehow knocked it out of the original VSP (the filter shows up on the timeline, but the processing is gone). The Mercalli is on a short (18 seconds) video clip that has a 3 second crossfade on both ends...it is sandwiched between 2 jpegs. So it made sense that taking the anti-flickering off would have corrected it previously. But now it's back when I use Option 3.. even though anti-flickering is off.

Trevor, what properties are you wanting me to get? The properties of the short clip having the Mercalli problem or the properties of the mpeg that was created from the VSP?

[sambucadog]

Update:
To make the mpeg, I tried using Share, Create Video File, Same as Project Settings instead of Share, Create Video File, DVD. Mercalli is good now.
Is this an acceptable way of doing it for DVD final output?

[Trevor Andrew]

Hi

A standard DVD used Mpeg 2 type video files, the option Share Create Video File DVD will create such a file but using a default template, this template may require some modification to make it compatible with your original video file, even if your original video is Mpeg2 some properties may require correcting. (the field order can cause quality issues if changed from the original)
so we ask…
Can you right click your original video clip and select properties, what are they?

Once we know these we can set the new files properties………
--------------------------------

Project Properties by default will be either Avi or Mpeg2. what are they?
I don’t think there is an issue here, rendering to Project Properties is just another way of selecting a template, providing the project properties are suitable.

-------------------------------
There is an option to use/disable Smart Render
After choosing Share Create Video file DVD choose the Options button, deselect Smart Render
Does that improve the new file?

[sambucadog]

Hi

A standard DVD used Mpeg 2 type video files, the option Share Create Video File DVD will create such a file but using a default template, this template may require some modification to make it compatible with your original video file, even if your original video is Mpeg2 some properties may require correcting. (the field order can cause quality issues if changed from the original)
so we ask…
Can you right click your original video clip and select properties, what are they?

The term "video clip" here is confusing me. There are multiple "clips" in the VSP. Do you want properties of the VSP?? If so, in the project properties under "settings" is MPEG (not mpeg2).
The video clips within the VSP are quicktime movies.



Once we know these we can set the new files properties………
--------------------------------

Project Properties by default will be either Avi or Mpeg2. what are they?
I don’t think there is an issue here, rendering to Project Properties is just another way of selecting a template, providing the project properties are suitable.

-------------------------------
There is an option to use/disable Smart Render
After choosing Share Create Video file DVD choose the Options button, deselect Smart Render
Does that improve the new file?
I will try this last option when I get back from an appointment

[Trevor Andrew]

Hi

The project is a collection of files/clips, (multiple Clips) Movies, Images and Audio files/clips are inserted to the timelines. You edit these to create your movie.
If you right click any file/clip within the timeline and select properties, the file details will show.
The name will also show the location on the hard drive.

Your Video files as you say are Quicktime Movies, can you give the details.
Right click one of your Movie Clips and select properties.
We will then know if your movie is widescreen 16:9 or 4:3
This will help in deciding the settings of the output file,

[sambucadog]

I set the project at 4:3 from the get-go.

The settings on one of the clips are
Size:640x480 24bit

[Trevor Andrew]

Hi
Can you say where you live so we know to use Pal or Ntsc.
Set your project properties to:-

PAL (25 fps)
MPEG files
24 bits, 720 x 576, 25 fps
Upper Field First
(DVD-PAL), 4:3
Video data rate: 8000 kbps
Audio data rate: 256 kbps
Dolby Digital Audio, 48 KHz, 2/0(L,R)

Or

NTSC drop frame (29.97 fps)
MPEG files
24 bits, 720 x 480, 29.97 fps
Upper Field First
(DVD-NTSC), 4:3
Video data rate: 8000 kbps
Audio data rate: 256 kbps
Dolby Digital Audio, 48 KHz, 2/0(L,R)

Create a video file using Share create video file –Same as project settings.
Remember to disable Smart Render

[sambucadog]

I'm NTSC. When I disable SmartRender, the Mercalli problem happens again. I tried this several times. So re-enabled Smart Render, did everything else the same Share, Create Video File, Use Project Settings. All is good again. I think in the future I might just live with a little shaky video if the Mercalli thing happens again..it seems a bit temperamental.