How to:Using DVDArchitect to make interactive DVDs at DVinfo.net

Mike Calla · August 24th, 2009, 08:48 AM

hi
anybody have any starting points for using DVD Architect to produce interactive dvds?

thanks
m

Edward Troxel · August 24th, 2009, 09:37 AM

Exactly what do you mean by "interactive" - like a game?

Mike Calla · August 24th, 2009, 09:48 AM

hmmm,

Something like a power point presentation or a web page, but AfterEffectsized.

OR Like the board game "Scene it", which has a DVD disk that is somewhat interactive.

Unfortunately i haven't seen but a few interactive DVDs so i can't think of any other examples.

Edward Troxel · August 24th, 2009, 12:22 PM

If it has to remember things, or randomly jump to different things, you would need to learn DVD scripting. But you'll basically be going from one menu to another.

If you're just essentially "advancing slides" (like powerpoint), you would just be going from one menu to another. Naturally you can play video clips BETWEEN the menus as well.

So, either way you're just going between menus - with video clips being played as transitions. If you want to add randomness or remember where you've gone, you would need to learn the scripting features.

Mike Calla · August 26th, 2009, 10:05 AM

thanks Edward.

No, no randomness. So i guess its a fairly straight forward author.

Do you happen to know the DVDs limit of menu and chapters etc.?

Jim Snow · August 26th, 2009, 04:52 PM

DVD Lab Pro DVDlab PRO DVD authoring tool for advanced users and Sonic Scenarist Sonic Scenarist - Blu-ray Disc - HD DVD - SD DVD Authoring - Quick Look are two authoring tools that allow you to utilize the full scope of DVD menus.

DVD Lab Pro is reasonably priced; Sonic Scenarist is quite expensive. Both products have associated documentation that you can study. Just keep in mind that complex menu structures aren't a walk in the park. You will need to stick with it to develop the necessary understanding of the DVD spec and the "rules" of menu programming. You will also learn that there are significant limitations to what can be done with DVD menus.

August 24th, 2009, 08:48 AM	#1
Mike Calla Major Player Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Shanghai Posts: 344	How to:Using DVDArchitect to make interactive DVDs hi anybody have any starting points for using DVD Architect to produce interactive dvds? thanks m __________________ boxoutsidemedia.com

August 24th, 2009, 09:37 AM	#2
Edward Troxel Sponsor: JET DV Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Southern Illinois Posts: 7,953	Exactly what do you mean by "interactive" - like a game? __________________ Edward Troxel [SCVU] JETDV Scripts/Scripting Tutorials/Excalibur/Montage Magic/Newsletters

August 24th, 2009, 09:48 AM	#3
Mike Calla Major Player Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Shanghai Posts: 344	hmmm, Something like a power point presentation or a web page, but AfterEffectsized. OR Like the board game "Scene it", which has a DVD disk that is somewhat interactive. Unfortunately i haven't seen but a few interactive DVDs so i can't think of any other examples. __________________ boxoutsidemedia.com

August 24th, 2009, 12:22 PM	#4
Edward Troxel Sponsor: JET DV Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Southern Illinois Posts: 7,953	If it has to remember things, or randomly jump to different things, you would need to learn DVD scripting. But you'll basically be going from one menu to another. If you're just essentially "advancing slides" (like powerpoint), you would just be going from one menu to another. Naturally you can play video clips BETWEEN the menus as well. So, either way you're just going between menus - with video clips being played as transitions. If you want to add randomness or remember where you've gone, you would need to learn the scripting features. __________________ Edward Troxel [SCVU] JETDV Scripts/Scripting Tutorials/Excalibur/Montage Magic/Newsletters

August 26th, 2009, 10:05 AM	#5
Mike Calla Major Player Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Shanghai Posts: 344	thanks Edward. No, no randomness. So i guess its a fairly straight forward author. Do you happen to know the DVDs limit of menu and chapters etc.? __________________ boxoutsidemedia.com

August 26th, 2009, 04:52 PM	#6
Jim Snow Trustee Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Santa Clara, CA Posts: 1,104	DVD Lab Pro DVDlab PRO DVD authoring tool for advanced users and Sonic Scenarist Sonic Scenarist - Blu-ray Disc - HD DVD - SD DVD Authoring - Quick Look are two authoring tools that allow you to utilize the full scope of DVD menus. DVD Lab Pro is reasonably priced; Sonic Scenarist is quite expensive. Both products have associated documentation that you can study. Just keep in mind that complex menu structures aren't a walk in the park. You will need to stick with it to develop the necessary understanding of the DVD spec and the "rules" of menu programming. You will also learn that there are significant limitations to what can be done with DVD menus.