DVD Menu- VideoStudio X6

[rpitas]

I dread making DVD menus in VideoStudio. I must be doing something wrong. What I want to do is: 1. Select my own background image for the Menu (not one of the templates unless there is one that is essentially blank), 2. Select videos to burn and edit the names of these videos as I want the names to appear in the menu, and 3. Select some type of highlight bar that will show which of the 2 or 3 videos on the menu page is selected to play. That's it. Currently I have to indicate no music, no motion, select a template that I dont want and hide all the info I don't want etc. There must be an easier way.

[lata]

Hi

Well you can change the background image.
You can select the videos to burn, (not sure I understand your problem here) you are best creating a mpeg2 video file of your projects.
Then add those to the burner module first page.

Generally the links will be highlighted when selected, If you use Thumbnail menus then the frame of the thumbnail will be highlighted.

Unfortunately the program does default to standard selections, so you will always have to deselect the audio, no motion etc.

When you leave the burner module you are returned to the edit timeline, here you have to save the project again, this will save the burner options and the menu as set by you. Unfortunately only for that project, you cannot use again in a different project.

Each time you do Share Create Disc you have to set the menus.

[lata]

Hi

A bit more info

1 / Convert / render your projects to Mpeg2 video files, these are to be used to burn a disc. Give then a meaningful name as that will be used in the menu.
2 / Start a new project, nothing in the timeline , Share Create Disc, this opens the burner module.
3 / top left icon Add Media Add Video file, browse and select the Mpeg2 files created in 1 above.
4/ the files populate the timeline showing as thumbnails.
You can change the thumbnail view, play the clip, pause, right click thumbnail select “Change Thumbnail.”
5 / Next – Gallery tab—choose to use a Text Menu –any option that you like. I choose left second down.
6 / Edit tab
7 / Customise-Opens Customise Menu window.
8 / Choose a Background image any image of your choosing, will be used for new template.
9 / after changing anything the option “Add to menu template” will be available below preview screen.
Select that to save your template, will be available from the Gallery Favourites
10 / ok to close the window
11 / Change text by double click to select, or right click – edit
If you named the Mpeg2 files you would not have to edit text?

[rpitas]

That was really helpful. I was just stuck on a couple of points and you helped clear them up. I only do 3 or 4 DVD menus a year and I've always been frustrated and not spent the time to resolve the issues before now.
Thanks!

[BrianCee]

This may help as well : - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fIuoQp6Bstc

[lata]

Hi

Thanks Brian for the link to the video tutorial, very useful.

rpitas if there is anything specific in what you are trying to do just ask and we will help where we can.

I know the panel is not that intuitive with many options apparently hidden for want of a better description. For instance saving a customised template is not always noticed.

Unfortunately you will always have to deselect the Motion Menu option and maybe others, but that’s just one click of the mouse.

Photo Impact is still available as a download from the US site, this is the only program capable of creating a new menu template (UFO) from scratch.
So if you need more than whats available from Video Studio then maybe Photo Impact would help.

As I say let us know what you are trying to do or would like to do, then we can say if its possible or give an alternative.

[delaluz]

Lata,

Thanks for your input on DVD generation. I have a question:

I have a multi-camera talent show consisting of 18 acts. I created a project for each act. I have rendered each project to a separate video file (same resolution as first video file). The 18 AVCHD files are a total of around 8 gig.

I want to create a DVD now. Should I batch convert the 18 files to mpeg2 per your first step? Or, should I just select my AVCHD files in your step 3 from your post?

If I should do the mpg2 conversion first how do I ensure that The mpg2 files created does not exceed DVD space limit of 4.7 gig?

Thanks!

[lata]

Hi
First how long is the total run time of all 18 video clips.?

A DVD holds 4.7gb (4.3Gb) of data.

The data rate used to render the video controls the file size as well as quality.
As a guide a 60 minute video at 8000kbps will be 4.3 Gb.
However you will probably get 75 minutes provided you use Digital Dolby audio and not use Smart Menus, try Thumbnails or Text menus.

Using 6000kbps and you will get 90 minutes to the disc (good quality dvd)
4000kbps will allow for 120 minutes (equivalent to VHS quality)

Typical properties for your Mpeg2 files………….

NTSC drop frame (29.97 fps)
MPEG files
24 bits, 720 x 480, 29.97 fps
Upper Field First
(DVD-NTSC), 16:9
Video data rate: Variable (Max. 6000 kbps) (up to 90 minutes of video)
Audio data rate: 256 kbps
Dolby Digital Audio, 48 KHz, 2/0(L,R)

There are bit rate calculators available from the web that may help.
But you could try using Video Studio as a calculator.
How:--
Start a new project
Set the project properties to use the above properties.
Share Create Disc DVD
Add the 18 Avchd files
Note the green bar showing the size and duration of your files, if the bar shows yellow or red then the duration/data rate is too large.
Next button
Choose a Thumbnail template from the gallery, “smart scene” uses a lot of memory.
Press the Project Settings Cogwheel (lower left) – Mpeg Properties for conversion – Change Mpeg settings -- Customise—change/reduce the data rate. (compression tab)
Close the panel to view the green bar, reduce the data rate if the bar shows yellow.

Make a note of the data rate, use that data rate to render the Avchd to Mpeg2

You have 18 videos, if you intend creating a menu then you will be limited to 9 links ish per menu page. There are some templates available, maybe a text menu would allow for 18
http://forum.corel.com/EN/viewtopic.php ... 60#p243646


Converting your AVCHD to Mpeg2
The bad news I had poor results in converting Avchd to Mpeg2 but the poor quality may differ with video content. I used AVS Video Converter that seemed to produce better quality.
You can only give Video Studio a go to see if you are happy with the results.

How………

I would convert the Avchd to Mpeg2 ( as above properties + correct data rate.) then add the Mpeg2 to the burner module.
First you can play the Mpeg2 to check quality before you burn the disc.

When you burn the disc using Mpeg2 the process does not render/convert the video
(Convert Title) making the burning process quicker.

From the final burner window choose to create a Disc Image ISO file.
Use VCL Media Player to play this ISO will also play the menu, if you are happy with the quality Use the Disc Image Burner to burn the iso file to disc.

A lot going on here , hope it is not confusing…………

[delaluz]

Lata,

I just finished rendering the last of my 20 projects (I miss counted I don't have 18).

I put all of the rendered files into a new project time line & the record time is 64 minutes. I then clicked on "share" I clicked on "create dvd". VS calculated that the DVD would take 3.78 gig. I clicked on the project settings & the figures matched yours except for the video data max rate was 8000 kps.

My guess is that is the figure I have to use in the VS batch file converter.

Also, I followed the link to the create your own UFO files & downloaded a text menu with 20 tracks. P_lease note that I have used Photo Impact since release 6 & I have release 10 & 13 (XI) installed. How do I make the UFO I downloaded available to VideoStudio?

[lata]

Hi

I find the easiest way to add a UFO to Video Studio is to use the Favourites folder
C:\Users\Trevor\Documents\Corel VideoStudio Pro\16.0\Favorites

Note that this folder is created the first time you Customise and save a template.

Do Share create disc add any video file.
Next-opens the Gallery page, choose the Edit Tab
Customise- opens another window.
Change anything on screen – shows the “Add to Menu Template” available.
Click that and a new template will be saved to the Favourites Folder
Close the Customise window to view the Galleries – Favourites

Now add the UFO to the favourites Folder.

The UFO’s used by the program are here:-
C:\Program Files (x86)\Corel\Corel VideoStudio Pro X6\Content\Menu Template\16x9

You could use Photo Impact to modify / create a new template, maybe change that 20 ufo to use two columbs.

Navigation Controls
How do you wish your disc to play---the navigation controls – Settings Cogwheel – lower panel allows you to se how the dvd reacts to the remote control.
I assume you would want either “Continue to play next clip or Back to Menu”

[delaluz]

Lata,

Thanks to your help on this I finished my project with 20 menu items on one DVD menu. I followed a link you gave me and found another link to a 20 item menu here: https://onedrive.live.com/?cid=A9F3B565 ... =documents

I've been using Photoimpact since release 6 so I edited the UFO & created a menu with 2 columns of 20 choices. It came out great with a little experimentation.

Also, I used the VS tool for converting my HD files to mp2 files & they came out pretty good. Is there a "better" tool for this?


Again, thanks for your help.