How do I add an Intro (Ala THX) before Movie Starts?

[Orlando]

I tried a search but couldn't find anything. Sorry if it's out there.

But can someone help. I have a title I want to play (like the THX intro screen) before the movie starts. I want it to play after I have selected the movie play button in the menu.

Thanks,
Orlando

[windtrader]

since you posted here, I will assume you are familiar with ripping and extracting main titles using tools like DVDShrink, CloneDVD, and Ifoedit. There a few ways to do what you want.

Method one - create a DVD with two titles; first is the THX clip, followed by the main title. When you hit play, the THX clip plays then the main movie.

Method two - Using a HTPC sw player like Zoom Player or TheaterTek, you can specify a clip(Thx) to play first, then have it start the movie.

There are other methods but it depends on the equipment you play on, if they work or not.

[Orlando]

Thanks windtrader I am familiar with those and they have been working great.

I was hoping that someone could tell me the IFOedit way. I want it to work on a standard stand alone DVD player. I've been able to make the menus and put all the the clips together which are actually some home movies that I have. And I would like to add a little intro clip before the movie starts. I know how to manipulate the pre-commands to get it to happen before it gets to the menus. But I just can't seem to find the spot to put it in to get it to happen after the menus come up. Like the THX or DTS intro you get after you press the start movie button. I know it is just a matter of adding the right pre or post command but I can seem to find it.

Thanks

[Dave82]

Have a look at this site (http://www.dvd-replica.com/DVD/index.php): it explains every DVD command and it also has very useful command generators. :cool:
I think you should find a button command to jump from the menu to the intro clip and a post command to link it to the movie.

[Orlando]

I'm getting nowhere and getting fustrated. I added a menu button to play the intro and I tried putting a post command and I get Illegal navagation. I tried putting a post command that says got to title 1 chapter 1 and all it does is repeat the the intro over and over again even though it is the second title set. Dave I read that link and really interesting stuff but I can't seem to find the answer.

Thanks

[Dave82]

From what you say I understand the two titles are actually two titlesets. The problem is you cannot directly jump from a titleset to another, you have to pass through the VMG menu. In other words, you should obtain a sequence like this: play button ---> intro titleset with a postcommand ---> a dummy PGC in the VMG with a precommand ---> movie titleset.
A simpler solution could be to make the 2 titlesets 2 PGCs of the same titleset (provided that they have same A/V features). In this way you could link the two PGCs with a simple postcommand. With DVDLab doing this is a matter of seconds!
Out of curiosity, how did you author your DVD?

[Orlando]

I used Roxio 7 and it has a whole bunch of IF commands in the Pre-commands.

Unfortuately I can't combine the two as one is just 2 channel audio and the other 5.1. I tried that already and I really don't want to lose the surround on the 5.1 material.

[Dave82]

Exactly, what can you do with Roxio? I suppose you made the menu, but can't you edit the navigation in any way?

[Orlando]

Yeah it makes the menus and chapter menus. What I made has 20 small chapters. An Intro that plays before the menu and another intro that I can't seem to work out that I want to play before the chapters. Three seperate VOB sets.

[Dave82]

OK, actually I just had a look at it, but I think PGCEdit could be what you're looking for. Open your DVD with it, select the VMG menu, go to Utilities ---> New PGC, and you'll add a dummy PGC in the VMG menu.
Then create commands as I explained above: a post command in the second intro VTS pointing to the dummy PGC, and a precommand in the dummy PGC pointing to the movie VTS. Unfortunately you can't edit button commands with PGCEdit (they're stored in *0_VOB files). If you can make your menu jump to the second intro VTS with the play button in Roxio you're OK, otherwise you'll need MenuEdit.

[Orlando]

Thanks Dave82,

I was just going to try that when I saw the version 0.2 Intro thread.

I have everything the way I want except playing the movie after the intro. I made a menu option button called "play all" that goes straight to the intro. They only piece missing was what happened after the intro was played. So I'll try the PGC Edit and hopefully make it happen.

Thanks again.

[Orlando]

WINNER! :D That was it! Worked like a charm. Now I just can't believe it is done.

Dave82 Thank you so much! And everyone else who helped.

[r0lZ]

For your information: I am currently working at a new function in PgcEdit that will automate the process of adding a titleset and doing the necessary adjustments to let it play at the DVD startup (First-Play), or before or after any title.
All you will have to do is to select a menu, fill in some options, and select the VTS to load.
Should be in the next release.

[Dave82]

Great!!! Thanks very much r0lZ, I think PgcEdit is a wonderful tool (and I haven't used all it's features yet). Well done :D

[Orlando]

Yes r0lZ Thanks,

This was the first time I heard about and used it. It really has some great features and really made my day.

Many Thanks/ :D