Edit an existing DVD-menu

[Daegu]

Hi!
how do I change the menu of a dvd ?

[Dimmer]

We need much more details in order to help you. What exactly do you want to change: buttons or background? Is it a still or motion menu, with sound or without?

And more importantly, how far are you prepared to go in order to achieve that goal? It would involve a lot of effort, learning, time, and possibly money.

[Daegu]

Hi dimmer, it's a motion menu with sound. I want to add a chapter menu to the main menu, so I need a button there.
Jump marks in the DVD already exist.
Can you tell me which program i should use ?

[Dimmer]

We all wish it were that simple but it's not. I don't think there is a single program that can do this. You didn't mention by the way whether the chapter menu already exists and if so, how do you get there now. In this case your best chance is if there is an extra button that you don't ever use on the main menu. Such a button can be used for your purpose.

Otherwise, you're looking at the re-authoring the DVD, i.e. taking it apart and putting back together the way you need. The reason for this complication is that DVD is not designed to be updated or modified once created. If this is a one-time thing for you, especially if it's a commercial DVD, don't bother. However, if you'd like to learn more on the subject, look at the DVD authoring programs, their capabilities, functionality, price, and so on - it's going to be a long journey, and you're in the right place.

[Daegu]

:( I don't understand ... why do the dvd-player read out the dvd-structur and menu so easy, but an program doesn't already exist ? :rolleyes:

[Dimmer]

Player can read it very well, as well as many computer programs. What is hard to do is to change it. Take for instance Windows logo you see when your computer boots up - computer can read and display it just fine, but it's far from easy to replace it with your own logo.

If you have some programming experience, you might notice that it's easy to compile your VB or C++ code, but it's impossible to "de-compile" a program re-creating the exact source code. Same principle applies to DVD.

[Daegu]

well,thx, it seems like I've to reauthor the menu. Can you now tell me some programs ?

[Dimmer]

Why don't you have a look at DVD authoring guides (http://www.doom9.org/mpg/dvdauthoring.htm). I have to warn you though, re-authoring is not an easy task.

[levick]

Hi all, speaking of DVD menus, can I be put in the right direction
please. I wish to put commands in place where as a still picture menu screen sits for say 2 minutes and if there is not interaction ie button push, the dvd advances automatically to the movie. I can do this with a menu that is a short movie file by counting the loops and comparing the gprms with instructions to jump when the loop count is met. However as the still picture sits still.....your expertise is required please.

[Dimmer]

Originally posted by levick
Hi all, speaking of DVD menus, can I be put in the right direction
please. I wish to put commands in place where as a still picture menu screen sits for say 2 minutes and if there is not interaction ie button push, the dvd advances automatically to the movie. I can do this with a menu that is a short movie file by counting the loops and comparing the gprms with instructions to jump when the loop count is met. However as the still picture sits still.....your expertise is required please. That's very easy to do for a still menu. For the cell containing the menu, change Cell Still Time from 255 (infinite) to any other value between 0 and 254 seconds. After that pause, the DVD go to the PGC Post commands, where you can add the commands for playing the movie.

[levick]

Fantastic, thanks Dimmer, for the prompt reply, I look forward
to completing this particular DVD reauthor. Much appreciated. :D