Hi all,

I would like to do the following:

Have 4 videos with the same 20 minute intro video to each one.

So of the 4 buttons that would play the 4 different videos I want the 20 minute video to play first at the press of any of the buttons.

I found that you can make multiple timelines for the same asset (the 20 minute video) and then link the end of the timeline to 1 of the 4 videos......has anyone done this before? it does nt show any errors but i am making about 100 copies of the dvd and want to make sure this is a good idea!

I can clarify if there is any confusion

I can't help you specifically with Encore but what I CAN tell you is that you would be using/wasting 80 minutes (4 x 20minutes) of available encoding time JUST for the intro videos. In DVD Studio Pro on Mac, we would handle something like that using Stories. Not sure how Encore handles something like that.

Hope this helps.

The whole point of bringing ONE asset and assigning it to 4 timelines is that only the asset has to be encoded, thus saving 60 minutes of time on the disc for the same thing playing.

Here is how it works:

Intro video ASSET| ---> Timeline 1 ---- video 1
|----> Timeline 2 ---- video 2
|----> Timeline 3 ----- video 3
|----->Timeline 4 ----- video 4


Rather then this below where the intro video needs to be encoded 4 times and takes up more space
Intro video ASSET ---> Timeline 1 ---- video 1
" " ----> Timeline 2 ---- video 2
" " ----> Timeline 3 ----- video 3
" " ----->Timeline 4 ----- video 4

Obviously Encore handles timelines differently than DVDSP then. If what you say is true, disregard my "advice".

In DVDSP, an asset is not encoded, it is merely available for use. Upon placing an asset in a Timeline, it requires DVD space. A Story in DVDSP is a way to link multiple Timelines non-linearly without using more DVD space BUT might create delays in jumps due to having to "jump" from one area of the disc to another.

Again, apologies if I've confused the issue instead of helping.

Strange that two software developers can't even agree on what an Asset is and what a Timeline is... Sad, actually...

Yes,

the project error checker said everything is fine, but i ve never linked 4 timelines to the same asset before!
So I'll have to test on a dvd player to make sure it all works correctly

I've done something identical in DVDSP on numerous occasions and except as mentioned earlier about seek time to get to the encoded asset, it works like a charm. Just make sure when you test it out that the "jump" from one program to another is quick enough (and smooth enough) for client expectations.