(Maestro) Starting executable file from DVD menu

[benza]

Hi there,

I was wondering if it was possible to start an executable file (or any other file-extention, for example PDF) from a button on a DVD menu. I know URL's are possible, but I have no luck with any other file.

[benza]

No one knows?

[Arky]

YES, this IS possible :D

Please read the following thread for a thorough explanation of the procedure (some of which you are apparently already familiar with):

http://forum.doom9.org/showthread.php?s=&threadid=53510&highlight=arky+url+maestro

Here is an excerpt relevant to your particular query:

...However, also be aware that the URL Entry facility is not Just for URLs! You can also specify a path and file name for anything that can be recognized and executed. For example, entering:

C:\Documents\MaestroHelp.PDF

would cause the file SpruceUp.PDF located in the C: drive's Documents directory to execute, launching Adobe's Acrobat Reader to view it.

To launch a file residing on the disc being played (regardless of the DVD drive letter) enter:

DVD:\MaestroHelp.PDF

This would launch Adobe's Acrobat Reader and display the file MaestroHelp.PDF in it. Keep in mind that since you are reading this file from the same disc the DVD player is reading from, there can be an interruption of playback while the file is opened. Obviously, in the above example, you can see from the syntax that, in order for the link to successfully work with the .pdf document, you'd need to burn the 'MaestroHelp.pdf' file directly on to the root of the DVDR.

Please note that it is actually slightly better practice to create an "assets" folder alongside your usual VIDEO_TS and AUDIO_TS folders, on your burnt disk, and to place your assets (an executable or a .pdf, for instance, or any combination of files which are referred to by any of your authored menus) in this folder instead of placing them directly on the root of the disk. This isn't critical, it's just good practice. Obviously you will need to take this folder into account with your URL syntaxes.

If you need any more help with this, please feel free to ask, although I do not currently have an ISP, so it may be a few days before I manage to get online and reply to you. Trust me, though, I WILL reply to any questions you may have on the topic :)

Best of luck!


Arky ;o)

[Arky]

Hmmm.. I just looked back and realised it was you who asked the question which prompted my original reply all those months ago. This is strange, because the information you require is there, in black and white,...well, get back to me if you still have difficulty and I'll be happy to help out.

Regards,


Arky ;o)

[benza]

Arky, is there really something you don't know?!

Your solution works! I tested all my possibilities with PowerDVD and from the navition simmulator of Maestro, but when I burned it do DVD+RW with the syzegy player and an autorun.inf file it worked!

Can we get a poll for changing doom9.org to arky9.org?

;-)

Your the best!

[Arky]

Originally posted by benza
Arky, is there really something you don't know?!

Well, thankyou for the compliment, but I am by no means the most knowledgable member here on Doom9, and others deserve as much, and more, credit than me, so in answer to your question: YES! - anything to do with Scenarist or IFOedit and I'm absolutely CLUUUUUUELESS!!!!! :D I have so much respect for the re-authoring boffins here on Doom9 - they can count themselves very significantly responsible for driving forward the state of the re-authoring art, and are (IMHO) way ahead of any other forums' members in this speciality. This is the reason I am a proud member of Doom9 - because, although my personal interests lie more in authoring original projects from Non Linear Editing of DVcam footage through to graphics and final DVD burning, between all of us, we have a very broad and DEEP level of knowledge, unmatched in it's field by any other similar forum.

Anyway, I'm glad you succeeded!


Arky ;o)

[auenf]

Originally posted by Arky
Well, thankyou for the compliment, but I am by no means the most knowledgable member here on Doom9...

no, but im pretty sure you have the longest average post size by a long way ;)

Enf...