VideoStudio Pro X5 DVD Menus

[Coral]

With VideoStudio Pro X5, can I create menus for Title and Chapters as in DVD Workshop 2 with interactive links ?

[BrianCee]

yes indeed you will find the menu creation in VideoStudio very similar to DVD workshop.

Why not download the free trial of X5 and see for yourself

I just knocked up this in VS X5

[Coral]

Thank you for your reply. Adding text is no problem. My difficulty is to convert the text into buttons. I can edit the movie name to "Go to Chapters" But how can I change the green Play button to "Play Movie" ?
Problem 2:
No audio being recorded and some of my files with AC3 will have their audio disabled
I am capturing vio RCA plugs Y,W,R. I also notice that the audio settings are greyed out.

[lata]

Hi

A little explanation.........

for each video file added to the burning module a thumbnail/clip can be seen in the timeline (first window)
The icons at the top allow you to add your video files.

Each clip will have a menu link (a title) associated with it, this can be in the form of Text, Thumbnail or SmartScene Menu.
You choose these from the Gallery, defaults to SmartScene

Ok your image looks like a SmartScene menu
The video file name is the link, the text can be edited to a more suitable wording. (my Movie)
The link can be identified with a number, press Edit Tab, then Advanced to Show Thumbnail Numbers, these represent the numbers on the remote control.

If you have added more than one video then you will have other links, video names.
Using the Preview you can check the operation of the disc and menu settings.

The triangle is the main play control, and is always required.

The large panel showing the video is the smart scene window.
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From the gallery choose to use Thumbnails, or Text menu these may be a little easier to understand, certainly easier to explain than the Smart Scenes

Add a few video files, from the first window

run through a few settings to get familiar with the layout.

The objects on screen cannot be deleted, these are required to make the menu work, however you can hide them, right click the triangle and select hide.

Chapter Points
From the first Window these can be added to each Title/Video
View the Chapter Points Menu from the drop down box immediately below the preview screen, (second window)

Adding Text, icon below preview screen

This option is new to X5, the text is simply a decoration or information, it is not intended to be a link used within the menu.

I think the text you modified was the video name, this is the active link to playing the video.

Hope that helps a little

[Coral]

Hi Trevour, Thanks for the explanation. I am not new to video editing and DVD authoring. I have realized that it is impossible to use text as a button the way it can be used in UDW2. I just wanted to make sure that I'm not missing somting. I consider UDW2 superiour in most aspects to VSPX. It is truly a pity that some aspects of UDW2 have never been upgraded, such as 16:9 menus. As for SRT subtitles, it is somthing that can be remedied. Subtitle Workshop 251 does a very good job with the conversion.

The text I have modified is the link to the first page of the chapters menu. Since clicking on the movie title takes you there and the triangle button plays all the movie. I wanted to change the play (triangle) button to text but it can't be done.

I'm also having problems with the audio. For some reason, after installing VSPX5, other video clips on my HDD previusly captured, having AC3 audio will no longer play the audio track in WMP 10. Also any clips I capture will be without playable audio.

[lata]

Hi

Dont understand the reference to 16:9 menus.
To the lower left is an option to change the 16:9 to 4:3, this will change the library and allow you to select 4:3 menus.
The option for 16:9 menus is set by default, that is reflecting the edit timeline project properties.
Earlier versions of VS showed the template names having a "W" to indicate a widescreen template.
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Photo Impact is the only program I know of that will allow you to create your own menu templates (ufo files)
You could then change the triangle (the object) to text, (as an object) unfortunately the text will not be editable

The audio problems, you may be best to start a new post, seems more involved given that you indicate analogue capture via composite cables, I assume through some type of capture device or card?
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By the way, if you could change the triangle for text, what would the text be?

[Coral]

Hi lata,
My reference for the 16:9 format has been to Ulead DVD Workshop 2. In other words, I meant to say that 16:9 format has never been implemented in UDW 2.
Instead of the triangle I woud have "Play Movie". Ulead DVD Workshop 2 has been much more versatile as regards linking to various menu options. Just drag the section of the menu over the text or graphic object and you have a link.
I have created a library of menus and objects with PhotoImpact for UDW 2 in UFO. Using PhotoImpact I will try to change text into object and construct a title menu for VideoStudio Pro X5 but I'm not sure if it works.

[lata]

Hi

The triangle is an object in a group of four, next page, previous page and top menu.

Most are hidden till required.
As you only have the one title then only the triangle is needed and in view.
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The easiest way is to modify the template UFO, first customise a menu, then save as new template.
this will create a new ufo in your Favourites folder.
Open in PI and edit away.
Delete the triangle then add text designating it as BTN_PLAYALL
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For me the triangle indicates what should be pushed on the remote control and thats the play button, also indicated by a triangle.

[Coral]

Thanks Trevour. I shall try it.