DVD Architect

[Colin Oddy]

Thank you for the prompt feedback John.
I have the render setting as:
Video for Windows (*.avi)
PAL DV
Description
Audio: 48,000 Hz, 16 Bit, Stereo, PCM Uncompressed.
Video: 25 fps, 720×576, Lower field first.
Pixel Aspect Ratio: 1.093. OpenDML compatible.

render Loop Region only
Save project Markers in media file

is this what youd call a “DVD Architect template” and recommend?

regards
Colin

Colin

[John Rofrano]

[Colin Oddy] “I have the render setting as: Video for Windows (*.avi) PAL DV… is this what youd call a “DVD Architect template” and recommend?”

No. DVD’s can only play MPEG2 files so AVI files will always have to be re-rendered.

If you want to render a DVD compliant file from Vegas, use the Main Concept MPEG2 render type with the DVD Architect PAL video stream template. Then render your audio separately as Dolby Digital AC-3. If you name the files with the same name (and just different extensions) DVD Architect will know that the .ac3 file goes with the .mpg file.

~jr

http://www.johnrofrano.com
http://www.vasst.com

[Colin Oddy]

Thank you again John for your prompt help.
Im a bit dumbfounded because Ive never donethat proceedure before but have – Im quite sure – used Architect to burn programs and not experienced that problem.
Could that be possible? or is the procedure you desctibe (spitting the Video and Audio rendering) the ONLY possible way to burn a program to disk?

In the mean time Im using Windows DVD Maker – which is a bit of a tragedy really 🙁

regards

colin

Colin

[John Rofrano]

[Colin Oddy] “Ive never donethat proceedure before but have – Im quite sure – used Architect to burn programs and not experienced that problem.
Could that be possible? or is the procedure you desctibe (spitting the Video and Audio rendering) the ONLY possible way to burn a program to disk?”

You can feed DVD Architect any file type you want but it can only put MPEG2 on the disc. If you give it a file that is not MPEG2, it will convert it to MPEG2. Every conversion means loss of quality. So what I outlined is the most efficient and highest quality way of creating the files needed for DVD… but you can use any method you want.

~jr

http://www.johnrofrano.com
http://www.vasst.com

[Colin Oddy]

thanks again john.
i really appreciate you giving your time to help 🙂

colin

Colin

[Colin Oddy]

Hello again John
its been 6 months since I last tried to use Architect – but Im at it again.
Ive followed your advice on redering the Video component as an MP2 and the audio as an AC3 file but now I need to add them to the Architect template.
When I tried to ‘INSERT’ them as ‘MEDIA’ they added as seperate files. obviously thats not the process. Ive seemingly tried every other option except the correct one.

Im wanting to add chapter markers (which I actually know how to do)once the media is in “TIMELINE” so if I can get both MP2 and AC3 files in there would be helpful too.

Could you PLEASE advise me on this.? 🙂

ALSO… Im trying to add a JPEG file photo as the menu THEME.
Do I just “INSERT” “GRAPHIC” to do that?

many thanks in advance.

Colin

Colin

[John Rofrano]

[Colin Oddy] “When I tried to ‘INSERT’ them as ‘MEDIA’ they added as seperate files. obviously thats not the process. Ive seemingly tried every other option except the correct one.”

Make sure that the video and audio file have the same name (just different extensions) and drag and drop the video file onto the menu. The audio will come with it. if not, double-click the video button to open the timeline and drag the audio onto the timeline (but you shouldn’t have to do this).

[Colin Oddy] “ALSO… Im trying to add a JPEG file photo as the menu THEME. Do I just “INSERT” “GRAPHIC” to do that?”

No, right-click and drag the JPG onto the menu and when you release the mouse you will get a context menu. Select “set as background”.

~jr

http://www.johnrofrano.com
http://www.vasst.com

[Colin Oddy]

Hello John
Thank you for your quick and clear reply.

(My apologies if you get 2 versions of this reply.
Something happened once I clicked send and it appeared not to send my first reply so Im resending it)

I followed your instructions but came across a couple of anomalies 

When I added the photo as a menu background it squeezed horizontally.
I went into Architect “options” and selected “simulate device aspect ratio” which then stretched the photo. Neither the squeezed or stretched aspect were the correct ratio.

Any light you can shed on this for me will be appreciated.

Also…
When I dragged the MP2 file onto the menu it presented as a box shaped ‘button’ but it did NOT bring the AC3 audio with it.
The box button is evident on the menu image in the timeline but attempting to play the file in the timeline shows that there is actually no video file there.

If I drag the AC3 file to the timeline it brings with it the video component which covers the photo menu background. It does not present as a ‘button’ thereby allowing another video program to be added to the menu – but covers the menu, effectively becoming a single program master.

John am I flogging a dead horse persevering with this?
Is this really an acceptable mastering program or is Sony having a shot at us serving up such a seemingly complicated program that necessitates saviours like you coming to the support of mugs like me. Im becoming increasing frustrated at the time consuming hurdles Im constantly up against.

Should I cut my losses here and get a mastering program that works.
Is there one you’d recommend please?

many thanks again

Colin

Colin

[John Rofrano]

[Colin Oddy] “I went into Architect “options” and selected “simulate device aspect ratio” which then stretched the photo. Neither the squeezed or stretched aspect were the correct ratio.

Any light you can shed on this for me will be appreciated.”

You should crop your photo to be the correct aspect before you use it as a background. This is part or preparing your DVD assets.

[Colin Oddy] “When I dragged the MP2 file onto the menu it presented as a box shaped ‘button’ but it did NOT bring the AC3 audio with it. The box button is evident on the menu image in the timeline but attempting to play the file in the timeline shows that there is actually no video file there.

If I drag the AC3 file to the timeline it brings with it the video component which covers the photo menu background. It does not present as a ‘button’ thereby allowing another video program to be added to the menu – but covers the menu, effectively becoming a single program master.”

I really can’t explain this behavior as I have never seen it. Is the file type really MP2 or did you mean MPEG2?

I give my video and audio the same name (e.g., mymovie.mpg, mymovie.ac3) and I drag and drop the .mpg file into the DVD Architect menu and it makes a button. I double-click the button and I get video and audio. I can’t imagine what you are doing wrong (unless you really named the file.mp2)

[Colin Oddy] “Should I cut my losses here and get a mastering program that works.Is there one you’d recommend please?”

There is nothing wrong with DVD Architect so I don’t see why you need something else.

We sell training if you really can’t figure it out but it’s not that hard to use.

Absolute Training for Vegas+DVD, Vol. 3: Getting Started with DVD Architect

~jr

http://www.johnrofrano.com
http://www.vasst.com

[Colin Oddy]

Thank you John
I really do appreciate the time youve spent with me.
I finished it off using Windows DVD Maker but I will revisit Architect and see if I can get it right.

Update:
Double clicking the ‘button’ once its on the menu does add both Video and audio to the time line – but its covers up the menu photo. it doesnt sit as a button on the menu.

now adding a second title (program) sits on top of the first one and covers it up too.

All I need is a photo menu background and 2 titles (programs) sitting as buttons on the photo. That cant be too much to ask of Architect is it?

Maybe you can point me to Architects help menu where this is explained please John because I cant find it and Im starting to wonder that maybe I AM thick as a short plank! (having great difficulty keeping my sense of humour about all this as you might imagine. Im sure you are feeling the same)

I think Ill give it away and look for a program that my clearly limited intelligence can cope with.

thanks again john.

colin

Sincere thanks

Colin

Colin