Configuring DVD player software

[Davidk]

This is about erratic playing and configuration of player software after a DVD with introductory clip and menu has been burnt.

Using X5 Ultimate SP1 (both cases outlined below).

A DVD with an introductory clip, a menu and several video clips has been authored/created and burnt to multiple copies of a DVD. The multiple copies used the create disk image function (which creates a .iso disk image) once in the last stage of the authoring process, and the resulting files were reproduced on 6 disks using the Burn from disk image selection in the main Tools menu. The final disks were each tested in an actual DVD player-to-TV situation - all OK. Now comes the interesting part.

Demonstrating one of those disks using player software (Media player v12, and VLC player v2.0.5) on 2 different processors gave some varying results regarding the playing of the introductory clip:
- on a PC, media player played the introduction and then the menu OK. Using the VLC player, it played only the menu (omitted the introduction).
- on a laptop, both the media player and the VLC player played directly to the menu, omitting the introduction.

As the disk functions properly when repeatedly played on a real world setup (player+TV), it looks like the omission of the introduction has to do with the software player configuration, but I can't see where (as in comparing player setup between the 2 machines).

Question
Does anyone know why this is so? and how can I set up the player software so it does play any introduction clips?

Further information.
I use the VLC player (on recommendation of this forum) so I can verify the result of an authoring before burning disks. Windows media player as it came with Windows 7 doesn't play .iso files, whereas VLC does. Periodically it becomes very apparent that I've not done something (eg music, or not edited a menu option etc) that would waste a disk, requiring that I do it all over again with any needed editing changes, so that player ability to read an .iso file is handy. But the inability to play an introduction is really irritating.

Thanks,

Davidk

[lata]

Hi David

I must admit I do not use the “Introductory clip” so haven’t noticed the problem.

As the disc works ok on a standalone DVD Player would indicate the burning was successful, which is good.

Using VLC Player is there a difference in playing the disc to playing the ISO file, I would have thought it is the same, ie no intro.

I would have to create an iso to test the VCL Player function.

Did you try adding the file to the VCL Playlist, normally I simply right click the ISO and choose play with VLC, don’t know if that would make a difference.

[Davidk]

Hi there,

Introductory clips are handy for those production flourishes you see on commercial DVD's or movies - the MGM lion, Columbia mountain etc - that play briefly at the start of any disk. They contribute to a "polished" feel in the end product. In my case, I have personal logo and also a logo for the movie making class using VS that I mentor.

I had not specifically tried the iso file for this disk in the last day or so before posting, but this problem has been a while coming. It's why I tested each of the 6 disks I made from the created disk image in the real world. And its not a VS issue - I think - but rather one related to convenient ways of checking the output of a VS activity. (I got driven to this last year when I wasted about 5 or 6 disks by making silly mistakes in an original authoring process). So after reading your post, I rechecked (found the iso file for the disk I was using, and opened it with the VLC player) and as expected the player opened directly to the DVD menu. Opened meaning, loaded VLC, then opened the iso file by using the media/Open file option and navigating to the specific file, selecting OK.

Generally, my usage of VLC player is for this purpose. So, I typically use it to play selected files files this was. Not enough usage on any one file to need including it in a play list.

Still mystified as to the cause of this. I'm also intrigued as to why MS media player on one machine (when playing the DVD itself) will play the intro, and on the other, it won't. (I'm hoping that the reason is broadly the same and clicking the related check box would fix this in both player programs).

Davidk

[lata]

Hi David

Well all I can say you appear to be correct in all your findings.
Video Studio does create the disc correctly.
Playing back the Iso using another Media Player seems to be the problem, I have confirmed this but unable to find any player that will show the introductory clip.
At least you can be confident that the actual discs work ok.

All I can suggest is you hit the Preview button immediately prior to burning the Iso. Then after burning the first Disc, play that on a standalone DVD Player.

There are means of mounting the ISO on a virtual drive, never taken this approach so cannot help with how to do, VLC Player did the job for me, but a virtual drive may play the Iso in full, then again it may not?

Do a google search.

[Davidk]

More . . .
Re VLC - posted a query on the VideoLAN forum re this, and got an answer that works, as follows:

Re: Playing DVD introductory clips

Postby Lotesdelere » Mon Mar 11, 2013 9:29 pm
Tools -> Preferences -> Show settings: ALL
Input codecs -> Access modules -> DVD with menus
Untick the option "Start directly in menu".
Save the preferences then exit and restart VLC.

FYI

Davidk

[lata]

Hi David

And well done, I have set the VCL option in preferences and indeed the intro video now plays first, then displays the menu.

Excellent find……