Making an "edited version" dvd

[Zarxrax]

I'm currently preparing a dvd of some material that tends to be shown at public events. Some people have informed me that they have some reservations about playing this video, because a bit of the content in the video is perhaps too mature for younger audiences.

I'm wondering if I can set up a dvd so that it would have an option to play the full movie, and also an option to skip certain scenes. I would think that this should be possible using seamless branching?

I have access to Adobe Encore or Sony DVD Architect. Would one of these applications be suitable for doing this?

[setarip_old]

Hi!

Would it possibly be simpler to make two different versions - and provide only one or the other as requested by your clientele?

[Zarxrax]

I dunno... I'm thinking it would probably be easier to just have it on 1 dvd, if this kind of thing is possible and not *terribly* complicated to do.

[setarip_old]

My thinking is that, if you have client's that would be offended by some of the material, by having two different versions, you avoid the possibility of someone inadvertently highlighting/selecting the "offensive" version...

[Eric69]

Not possible with the tools you listed. Scenarist won't even do seamless branching - only the Toshiba system which is not sold to the public. On top of that it often won't work on many players.

[goonix]

It can easily be done with PgcEdit.

Prepare the full (uncensored) DVD with your autoring tool.
Use PgcEdit to create a new "Play All" title.
Delete the suspected cells in this new title.
In the menu change the link of the play button to this new title.
Create an easter egg: e.g. 3 invisible buttons to the right and another 3 up, to access the full version.
This method requires no additional disk space.

goonix

[Zarxrax]

Thanks, I'll give that a shot and see if it can work. If not, I'll just go with the 2 different versions thing.

[Eric69]

It can easily be done with PgcEdit.

* Prepare the full (uncensored) DVD with your autoring tool.
* Use PgcEdit to create a new "Play All" title.
* Delete the suspected cells in this new title.
* In the menu change the link of the play button to this new title.
* Create an easter egg: e.g. 3 invisible buttons to the right and another 3 up, to access the full version.

This method requires no additional disk space

That wouldn't be a seamless branching title but it will do the job, just not seamlessly

[Corion]

I think Eric is right. True Seamless branching (partially interleaved VOBUs) is not possible with any of the tools available to us mere mortals.

Goonix's suggestion sounds like it will work but the transition over the censored material will not be "seamless". There will be a pause in playback which will range in length from about 0.5 to 2 seconds (depending largely on the player) while the laser skips over the censored material.

Hopefully there is a fade to black - or something of the like - either side of this material, so that people won't notice this pause. Otherwise I'd suggest you save yourself a lot of faffing around and go with Setarip's suggestion of 2 discs.

[Corion]

You beat me to it Eric

[goonix]

You are right of course. It isn't seamless.
But it seems to be good enough for this purpose.

An additional hint: If a cell is to long for deleting it completely, it can be splitted with VobBlanker. This way you can delete only the offending part.

goonix

[Zarxrax]

Hmmm, I guess I'll just go with making 2 versions then. Too bad.