Scenarist Advanced Content, How to author

[Toti]

I have been using Scenarist Advanced Content. However, the "user's guide" is pretty lame when it comes to "How to create Advance Content menus".

It only tells you how to drop the files whether is video, audio, subs or aca. However, it does not tells you where/how to do the XML or Java.

Can anyone guide me how to? the only thing I found was
http://www.microsoft.com/windows/windowsmedia/forpros/hddvd/default.aspx

at microsoft's website which I'll be reading in the next couple of days but any light is greatly appreciated.

[setarip_old]

Hi!

Have you checked out the (new) publisher's website? As a registered owner, you should be entitled to product support.

www.cubistmediagroup.com

[Clown shoes]

Excuse my ignorance Setarip, but what is the relevance of that link you have provided? They appear to be a US post house and nothing to do with Sonic. I even tried using my Sonic support login details, but nothing.

Or is that just a link to your company, underneath your comment?

[setarip_old]

@Clown shoes

Hi!

The relevance is that, as I stated, "Cubist" apparently has acquired the program in question. Per the news release at that site:Philadelphia, PA – January 2, 2007 – Cubist Media Group starts the new year by launching its newest service, HD DVD and Blu-ray Disc development, following the acquisition of Sonic Solutions’ next generation DVD authoring systems. The system includes Sonic Scenarist Advanced Content Authoring.

Regarding your question:Or is that just a link to your company, underneath your comment?(I'm still laughing ;>}) No, I have no relationship whatsoever with that company - or any company in the audio/video field...

[Clown shoes]

I'm clearly misunderstanding your comment then.

Hi!

Have you checked out the (new) publisher's website? As a registered owner, you should be entitled to product support.

www.cubistmediagroup.com

How can Cubist help me advance my knowledge of Advanced Content authoring as a registered Sonic user?

I'm sure I'm being dense as it has been a very long day but help me out here because I'm confused!

:)

[setarip_old]

If they now own the software, they should also be able to provide product support for it.

Just a routine suggestion that a software publisher should provide product support...

[setarip_old]

If they now own the software, they should also be able to provide product support for it.

Just a routine suggestion that as a user resource, a software publisher should provide product support...

[Clown shoes]

I think you misread the article mate. :) They have just purchased some authoring systems from Sonic and are advertising the fact thay can now do advanced authoring for thier clients.

At least that's the way I read it.

[mpucoder]

If that's the case the use of the word "acquisition" is a poor choice, since that usually means purchase of a company and/or its assets to those of us in the US. I interpretted the announcement the same way setarip did.

[Toti]

Thanks guys for the input and the link to the company but I was expecting something more like help how Advanced content works. Not reference like "go back to customer support".

I was asking for enthuthiasts that have tried or in process of learning to share their knowledge. We all know about "User's guide" and "Technical Support" or even better a link to a website that provides teaching classes for hollywood studio employees.

@ Setarip_old have you even tried to code script for advanced content? or you have never asked questions in this forum because you are a registered user and always go to "Technical Support"?

[setarip_old]

@ Setarip_old have you even tried to code script for advanced content? or you have never asked questions in this forum because you are a registered user and always go to "Technical Support"?My suggestion to you was a valid and sincere one - especially since you might not have been aware of the apparent sale of this program to a different publisher. Whether you choose to follow it or not is certainly your choice.

Although your question of my habits really has nothing to do with this thread, my answer is that I always try to first exhaust conventional resources, such as documentation and tech support (both of which I've paid for, as part of the purchase price of the software) and Internet searches. On those very rare occasions that this methodology doesn't yield the desired results, I have been known to post a question at the Doom9 forums or others.

[jel]

i'm with Clown Shoes on this one - cubistmediagroup are simply stating that they are using the new sonic range of authoring tools, NOT that they have purchased the company.

anyways lets get back to Toti's original question.

i am not sure if you have read this blog:
HD DVD / Randomness... (http://blogs.msdn.com/ptorr/default.aspx) but it seems to have some interesting discussions on HD-DVD scripting ... not that i understand any of it, mind you ;)

[Toti]

i am not sure if you have read this blog:
HD DVD / Randomness... (http://blogs.msdn.com/ptorr/default.aspx) but it seems to have some interesting discussions on HD-DVD scripting ... not that i understand any of it, mind you ;)

@jel thanks for the link.:)

[Clown shoes]

@Setarip_old, yes it was a genuine mistake caused as Mpucoder said by a badly worded press release. The only reason I suspected something might be amiss was the fact i have been on the phone quite a lot recently to the guys in Sonic's London office and they never said a thing about selling up. I appreciate you taking the time to post information in an effort to help others and I can see why you found it so funny now. You thought I was saying that you had bought out the Scenarist range. I reacon you would have been inundated with support questions by the end of the day if you hadn't corrected me there :)

I certainly don't feel you deserved a bashing for trying to help!

@Toti, have you not seen the links I provided in the other thread when you asked about advanced authoring?
http://forum.doom9.org/showthread.php?p=975081#post975081

There should be more than enough there to get you started. Let me know if your still having problems.

[setarip_old]

@Clown shoes

No harm, no foul ;>}

[Toti]

http://forum.doom9.org/showthread.php?p=975081#post975081[/COLOR]

There should be more than enough there to get you started. Let me know if your still having problems.

@ Clown....... Yes, I have checked all the links. Honestly the forums at Microsoft MSDN is more focused at what I want. However, I still have a problem.

Using the Microsoft HD Interactive Jumpstart it does help you understand how HD-DVD Advanced content works but will not help you author them. Since it does not create standard files for HD-DVD.

Reading on the Microsoft MSDN they all assume how to code on XML that is HD-DVD compliant. What I don't get is this.

Step 1: you fire up Scenarist Advanced Content then drop your Video & Audio under the "Media Tab under the Palette windows" and the Advanced Content on "Advanced content tab under the Palette Widows".

Files supported are .aca .xml .png .jpg .tff .oft (I might have missed others).

Step 2: Now create the titles and drop your Videos, Audios and Advanced Content under the timeline. If you want the advanced content to be available during the whole time of the video then stretch the advanced content timeline.

Step 3: build project.

Questions: I can't create XML's like it is for the web, I can't link to content the same way.
How do I link to other Advance content on the same timeline?
Ex. link to .tff for the font?
or link to style like CSS so I don't have to redo repeatitive pocess again and again?

Starting my xml with:
<?xml version="1.0"?>
is absolutelly nesessary or HD-DVD is different?
Where can I find some code that will create a menu so I can see exactly how the code is written?


Problem: when I write my code and input on Scenarist I get error "......is not a legal file Advanced Content"

Help is appreciated but I don't need comments like "ohh! I know Contact Help Support"... please!

[kolak]

Help is appreciated but I don't need comments like "ohh! I know Contact Help Support"... please!


Why not :)