Random Audio Track selection in Scenarist

[Crazyjoe]

Hi guys!

I've got a question to advanced scenarist user's. How can I realise a random selection for audio tracks in a menu. At the moment I've got 3 menus, each with its own audio track (only 1 at the moment). I want to give each of the 3 menus all 3 menu audio tracks I've created, and a navigation command with randomly selects on of the 3 track every time the menu is accessed.

This is what I did so far: I assigned in the pre-command of my title menu PGC the value of SPRM 1 (system parameter for audio track number) to GPRM 10 (the only one I've free at the moment ;) ). But how do I assign a random value between 1 and 3 to GPRM 10, so that SPRM 1 becomes that value? :confused: :confused:

I would appreciate any help! :)

[Buddha]

Make sure your menus reside in the VTS Language Menu domain, not the Title domain, or you won't be able to have more than one audio stream.

In your pre-command for the menu do this:

1) Rnd GPRM10, 3
2) SetSTN audio=GPRM10

(1)is done from Set to GPRM, then pull down on the menu that says Assign and change it to Random Value. The number you enter is the highest number you want randomized up to.
(2) sets the audio stream to your random GPRM10 value.

You might want to make sure that the same audio stream is never played twice in a row. In this case you would move SPRM1 to a temp GPRM and add 1 to that value (remember, SPRM1 starts at 0). Then randomize GPRM10 and compare that to your temp GPRM. If they are the same, then have it go back to line 1 and repeat. If they are not the same, then have it set the audio stream to GPRM10.

Hope this helps

[Crazyjoe]

Thanks a lot! :)

I will try that as soon as I can. I thought the same about the random value for a certain GPRM, but the Scenarist manual doesn't explain this part very explicit, and in the meantime I hadn't any time to test that way.

Thanks again! You really saved my life! :)

[Crazyjoe]

Now I've tested your solution. It works perfectly! Many thanks again! :)

[Crazyjoe]

I've still a little problem... :rolleyes:

So, at the beginning of the playback of my miniDVD I assigned SPRM1 to GPRM9. Here are the precommands of my root menus:

1. Rnd GPRM10 (Number of audio tracks in the menu)
2. if (GPRM9==GPRM10) GoTo 1
3. if (GPRM9!=GPRM10) SetSTN audio=GPRM10

When I simulate the menu in Scenarist, it works, but after I've made a disc image, burnt it to CD and played it, there always plays the same audiotrack, as if there was only one track present. And that the player does in each root menu...

Next I tried this:

1. Add GPRM9, 1
2. Rnd GPRM10 (Number of audio tracks in the menu)
3. if (GPRM9==GPRM10) GoTo 1
4. if (GPRM9!=GPRM10) SetSTN audio=GPRM10

But it finally had the same effect as the above command table...

What am I doing wrong? :confused: :confused:

[Buddha]

Try this:

1. Mov GPRM9, SPRM1
2. Add GPRM9, 1
3. Rnd GPRM10, 3
4. if (GPRM9==GPRM10) GoTo 3
5. Sub GPRM10, 1
6. SetSTN audio=GPRM10


When you simulate it, watch the GPRM values and the SPRM values and make sure it looks right before you burn a disc.

[Crazyjoe]

Scenarist really drives me crazy sometimes... :angry:

Now I tried the command table you told me, simulated in Scenarist, watched the GPRMs and SPRMs. Everything looked fine, and again the random selection worked well.

Now I don't burn the disc at once ;), but create only the files, not an image, and check that with PowerDVD.

So, I created the files, checked it with PowerDVD and guess what? Right, it's the same, as before!! :angry: ARGH!!

[Buddha]

If everything works fine and dandy in scenarist, then it should be ok. Just for shits and giggles, try a different decoder like WinDVD. Se if that works.

[oddyseus]

Same thing here with command sequences on Maestro that work perfectly on simulation but not on PowerDVD and settop player. I guess that most likely when PowerDVD can't play an DVD title set a settop player can't either.

[Crazyjoe]

In the meantime I tried to delete every command, which isn't important, so that there were only the random value for GPRM10 and the Set Audio command left. Again it worked in Scenarist perfect, and again it didn't work with PowerDVD, WinDVD and Settop Player... :angry:

Then I started a new Scenarist project, put only the menu pgc with the audio tracks in it, an put that track not in a language domain, but in a title.

And again, in Scenarist it works, but on the outside.... :angry: ARGH!!!

It really seems, that a random selection of audio tracks per GPRM manipulation isn't possible...
But then I can't believe, why it worked in Scenarist, because it's the only authoring software I can think of, which would take the DVD Specs VERY seriously.

[Crazyjoe]

Doesn't have anyone the slightest idea, what's goin' wrong? I still haven't found a solution for the problem... :(

[dust12]

Hmm, not sure if this helps... I played around with GPRMs as well, nothing including random numbers though. It worked in simulation mode, and italso works on 2 settops I tried it out (Pioneer 5252 and Cyberhome AD-L528). It did NOT work with PowerDVD though. I suspect PowerDVD doesn't implement some aspects of the VM correctly... any ideas about it?

Andy

[Crazyjoe]

Thanks for your hint, but I tried it with PowerDVD, WinDVD and with a Cyberhome AD-L528 settop. I didn't work on any of the players... Because it's miniDVD I'm not able to test it on other settop players. Maybe it will work on other players, but who knows.. :rolleyes: