A possible breakthrough for mid-range DVD authorers?

[Arky]

I read an interesting article in the news section of this month's Computer Video Magazine, regarding the forthcoming Pinnacle Studio 8. The following is paraphrased, and I cannot vouch for it's accuracy - anyone interested should follow this up with their own research:

[Pinnacle Studio 8 has new DVD and VCD capabilities. The program offer sophisticated DVD menu features, such as moving video backgrounds and *moving video in menu buttons*, and allows users to add looping background music and easily create linked and nested menus for complex interactivity.]


Arky ;o)

[Commander XJL]

I know a guy who is building DVD's with those features now, when he gets back in town I'll ask what he uses to author. He has buttons that have video in them, moving menus, very fancy

[auenf]

might be getting studio 8 for the studioDV card we have at home, the software that came with it only works in win9x.

Enf...

[p3distxii]

"The Wall" has the same kind of buttons. They look fucking cool. I imagine it must be pretty difficult.

[Arky]

Oh, I know how to DO them (see sticky at the top of this forum, marked "temporary"): http://forum.doom9.org/showthread.php?threadid=27176

http://forum.doom9.org/showthread.php?threadid=29557

http://forum.doom9.org/showthread.php?threadid=29370


I'm simply saying that this appears to be the first attempt by a software developer to actually *integrate* the compositing process, seamlessly into the DVD-authoring environment,

rather than the somewhat-disjointed method which many, myself included, already employ, which requires compositing of the video streams and SUBSEQUENT importation of said streams into the DVD-authoring environment (e.g Maestro).

Of course, as I said in my opening post, I have not actually confirmed that this is truly the case - I'm simply going by what I read in the magazine.


As far as difficulty goes, I can assure you that, so long as you don't scare yourSELF away from tackling the task, it's actually pretty easy. Just take your time and follow the instructions (links above), and you'll be authoring animated menus like a pro in no time. ...and the effort is WELL worth it! :)


Regards,


Arky ;o)

[Nogami]

As much as it irks me to say it, some of these features are available on Apple (cawf spit) systems.

Apple's DVD Studio Pro software (which is essentially what Apple did with Maestro after they killed the PC software afaik) is quite good and incorporates a lot of this type of functionality - drag and drop video buttons for chapters, etc. Quite intuitive and for what it does, fairly inexpensive.

The funny thing is that the software and hardware is good enough that I'd actually consider using it if it weren't for Apple's predatory business practises and the fact that Steve Jobs is an ass...

[golfextreme]

Maybe I'm misunderstanding what is being said here, but doesn't Ulead's DVD workshop allow most of this? The moving video in the menu button is something I use all the time on it.

[easy2Bcheesy]

Is there any comparison online between DVD Studio Pro and Maestro? The reason I ask is that an overseas branch of the company I work for is currently choosing between the two, and it looks as though they are going to go for DVD Studio Pro.

[auenf]

Originally posted by Nogami
Apple's DVD Studio Pro software (which is essentially what Apple did with Maestro after they killed the PC software afaik)

im pretty sure that DVD Studio Pro was released before apple bought spruce.

but looking at the specs for DVD Studio Pro, it does a hell of a lot for the price.

pity about the requirements.

Enf...

[Nogami]

easy2Bcheesy:

Is there any comparison online between DVD Studio Pro and Maestro? The reason I ask is that an overseas branch of the company I work for is currently choosing between the two, and it looks as though they are going to go for DVD Studio Pro.

At this point, they probably don't have much choice unless they know someone who is selling their Maestro system - it's not for sale anymore, so far as I know.

I don't mind authoring small DVD-R projects on my copy of Maestro, but I certainly wouldn't do any replicated (stamped) commercial projects on it (for obvious legal reasons).

As much as is irks me to admit it, if you're going to do a commercial project and want a full, legal system, DVD Studio Pro is the way to go...

I doubt the quality of the MPG / AC3 / DTS encoders on the Mac are anywhere near as good as what the PC encoders can produce, but I suppose you could always encode on the PC and move the files across to the Mac to author them.

[Arky]

Never used Studio Pro, but Computer Video Mag' remarked of it a couple of months ago that it was a usability nightmare in comparison to many other programs. Of course, as Nogami said, they probably don't have much choice unless they know someone who is selling their Maestro system, what with Apple's assassination of the program. You were extremely shrewd to purchase Conductor+PP when you did - just in the nick of time, and at a fraction of the price of Maestro! (and who needs Macrovision or CSS these days, anyway??).

Have they considered ReelDVD? Not exactly the last word in user-friendliness either, of course, but it would be PC-based, if that's an issue.

Personally, if time were not an issue, I'd wait a few months, because I believe that someone, somewhere, is very aware of the gaping void in prosumer windows DVD-authoring software and is working flatout to release a viable competitor to Apple's Studio Pro, and at a competitive price (I'd give anything to believe that the Spruce Team had been set free from their Apple shackles to work their Windows DVD magic again...)

@ easy2Bcheesy: if you want me to send you the relevant article, I'd be happy to. Just PM me.

DVD Studio Pro was indeed released before Spruce's demise, and is in no way based upon Spruce code. I believe it was developed from Astarte's product, from a few years back, which Apple bought out.

I do wonder whether Spruce was bought out purely to wipe out some Windows competition in the DVD-authoring arena, or if Mr. Jobs actually intends to make those poor (HIGHLY-talented) engineers create a MAC (EUGHHH!!) port, or derivative, of Conductor/Maestro :confused:


Arky ;o)

[Arky]

Originally posted by golfextreme
Maybe I'm misunderstanding what is being said here, but doesn't Ulead's DVD workshop allow most of this? The moving video in the menu button is something I use all the time on it.

Well, I must confess I've never used DVD Workshop, but I popped over to their website and, although I could find very little detailed information on the program, I did find the following:

( From h**p://www.ulead.com/dws/dvdworkshopfb.pdf )

[[Motion Menus - Create dynamic DVD menus y setting backgrounds and buttons in motion.]]

If they really do cater for this process, as an integrated solution, it's a big step forward in mid-range DVD-authoring IMHO.


Arky ;o)

[golfextreme]

The motion menu option certainly does work. I've used it on several original productions and they work like a charm. I have to admit that DVD workshop is the best mid-price authoring software out there.

[kilikili]

There's a tutorial on animated buttons using DVD Workshop here:

h**p://www.ulead.com/learning/dws/dws_02_1.htm

-kilikili


Originally posted by Arky


Well, I must confess I've never used DVD Workshop, but I popped over to their website and, although I could find very little detailed information on the program, I did find the following:

( From h**p://www.ulead.com/dws/dvdworkshopfb.pdf )

[[Motion Menus - Create dynamic DVD menus y setting backgrounds and buttons in motion.]]

If they really do cater for this process, as an integrated solution, it's a big step forward in mid-range DVD-authoring IMHO.


Arky ;o)

[Arky]

Good stuff - for some bizarre reason I can't access Ulead's website all of a sudden, though! :( Will check it out later. Thanks for the 'heads-up' on DWS, guys :)


Arky ;o)

[Nogami]

I've tinkered with DVD Studio Pro on a Mac system at school. I find it to be quite similar to Maestro, but with a dash of Scenerist thrown in.

The user interface was easy enough to understand that I felt I could start authoring on it immediately given my experience with PC DVD authoring. A brief look at the feature set seemed to include all of the usual features that high-end packages have.

Wasn't able to check on command-sequence type operation however. We'll have a machine or two with it installed within the next few months at work, so I'll experiment more with it then.

N.

[auenf]

sounds promising, altho i dont recall command sequences being mentioned on the site at all.

Enf...

[Arky]

@ easy2Bcheesy - Check your PM...


Arky ;o)