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Pfc Joker
10th January 2004, 16:59
I’ve been searching the forums for info on DVD Lab ver 1.3 or better yet 1.4 Beta 1 and I just end up with more questions than I started out with.

Here’s the scoop, I almost always use DVD Decrypter and Nero Recode 2 to do any backups but out of sheer curiosity I’ve been messing around with authoring programs like DVDLab, Scenarist, DVD Maestro. I have also used Vegas 4.0, DVD Menu, DVD Shrink 3.0 Beta 5, and Photoshop Elements.

Out of the three authoring programs I mentioned only DVD Lab is a real consideration for constant use because; A: Scenarist 2.6 or 2.7 or what ever is available at a price range I can’t afford and is hard to find period unless you stumble upon some stupid warez or crack. B: DVD Maestro according to my understanding is no longer supported by anyone so there will never be any advances in the program. As time goes by that will suck more and more.

So I have made a few backups by decrypting a disc to the hard drive as an iso with DVD Decrypter, mounting the image with Daemon or Nero Imagedrive, then I’ll use Nero 2 to “Remake A DVD” and just do the main movie, then you can bring those files into DVD Lab any way you like because it gives you the option of A: Using the file as is, B: Demuxing or C: Joining the VOB’s. Now you have to make your own menus, chapter points can be inserted from a file DVD Decrypter will output if you check that option in the setup for ISO read.

QUESTION, how do you or is it even possible to get the real menus into DVD Lab? I’ve got the movie part figured out and making my own menus is fun but I keep thinking there has got to be a way. But I seem to be on that preverbal bleeding edge.

The latest version of DVD Lab
http://www.mediachance.com/dvdlab/history.html says to have these improvements:
- Added real VMG Menus. Now you will be able to build the full DVD hierarchy.
- Import second VTS (menus+movie(s)) directly from any previously compiled project (loading the VTS_xx_0.IFO). This is a great new way to build multiple VTS DVD by simply first building one normal single VTS project, testing it, then use the compiled result directly as a second VTS in a new project. This way will add flexibility to the whole authoring process where you won't need to touch or recompile already working part.
- Re-authoring: Import VOB files (via IFO) as whole without joining - part of the multi-VTS solution as described above. It allows you to easy directly import previously created project or whole VTS created in other authoring software so you no longer need to join vobs and recreate chapter, etc, all is imported from ifo.

So any ideas?

maa
10th January 2004, 22:39
Well basically, if you import menu files into DVDLab you loose the commands and button actions. Unless you import it as a second VTS.
However most DVDs are authored to be dependant on the VMG (VideoTitleSet Manager) and thus seek commands there.
Such a Title Set will not work correctly.

What you can do is to use the original menu VOBs to create your own title set menus.

tomgofly
10th January 2004, 23:04
I have tried that, Maa, but my motion menus arn't working (DVDLab 1.4)...
http://forum.doom9.org/showthread.php?threadid=68417
Any Ideas on what may be the problem there? Nobody seems to want to touch it..

BTW Joker, if you import via VTS it will keep chapter points, audio, subs of the orig movie. It's how I keep all that on my backups. But you probably know that already... :)

-TGF

maa
10th January 2004, 23:23
Hmm - not sure, I've made many motion menus and only came unstuck at the beggining with not setting the normal state to visible.

tomgofly
11th January 2004, 02:31
Your talking about the slider bar, right?

Hummmm...

Had some issues with not importing chapter points too, maybe time to try a reinstall of DVDLab and/or try on my other system.

Thanks for your confirmation!

-TGF

Pfc Joker
11th January 2004, 22:04
Originally posted by tomgofly
I have tried that, Maa, but my motion menus arn't working (DVDLab 1.4)...
http://forum.doom9.org/showthread.php?threadid=68417
Any Ideas on what may be the problem there? Nobody seems to want to touch it..

BTW Joker, if you import via VTS it will keep chapter points, audio, subs of the orig movie. It's how I keep all that on my backups. But you probably know that already... :)

-TGF

Ya, I see if you import from a VTS all your menu's will remain. So I used Recode 2 to disable everything except the main movie and menus and import that output into DVD Lab 1.4 as a VTS. Only sucky part is you must ad a single movie (with something in it) or Lab will give you a error when you try and compile. This importing as a VTS is what got me really interesded in DVDLAb.:)

Recode 2 and Shrink are so "push button ish". I guess if I had to sum up what I'm trying figure out is.....a way to backwards engineer a DVD with only a couple of programs. I want to see everything on my screen as it's supposed to be before compilation. Menu links, the main movie, extras, all of it. I know, right know you all are thinking, "Ya let me know when ya get it figure out pall, good luck.":D

BTW tomgofly, don't assume I know too much, I read these forums for like six months before I finally registered, lot of rules to remember and brighter people than I around these parts.

maa
12th January 2004, 01:32
Here is an example:

Stuart Little has a Game in VTS_19.
Now the whole game is in the menu (VTS_19_0.VOB)so the IFO commands are self contained and this can be combined in any Multiple VTS

If however the buttons contain jumps to or via the VMG the navigation wont work when importing to DVDlab.

tomgofly
12th January 2004, 07:14
Just an FYI...

I have sucessfully imported .mpv/.mpa files from a ripped .vob and recreated (somewhat) motion menus into the VTS menus. It is taking a bit of juggling (setting GRPMs to pass settings to the movie VTS) but I think it is going to work. I'll create a guide once I get it to work completely. One thing about DVDLab 1.4, it doesn't seem to be able to sucessfully create working buttons for a VMG motion menu so having to workaround that. Also, it seems to crash the compiler on full MPGs imported but the demuxed .mpv/.mpa files work ok. Currently, I am working with T3 as a test subject so will update once I get a more generic tutorial guide written up.

-TGF
:helpful:

Pfc Joker
12th January 2004, 14:22
Sweet, looking forwrd to seeing your guide. I am going to try and use the flick "Rounders" as a test cause it's a real simple DVD, no extra's and noncomplicated menus. I let ya know how it goes.

maa
12th January 2004, 15:03
Heres a way to test your VTS for commands that are in the VMG.
Move these files to a Safe directory:
VIDEO_TS.VOB
VIDEO_TS.IFO

Open DVDFab and "Create a Video Manager" (VIDEO_TS.IFO)

Play with your favorite player.

If the menu works and the film plays alright you've won!
It'll work in DVDLab.