DVDA Question

[John Rofrano]

> I’ve made another video that I want to play only when you press next or some other button on the remote. How do I do that?

You can’t have an arbitrary button on the remote play a video. It’s just not part of the functionality of a DVD player. What you could do is have it play when you press the Enter button.

> I also do not want a button or text of any kind to be seen on my looping menu video.

You can Insert an Empty button on the menu, change it’s style to Image Only, change the Highlight to Custom and assign it a movie to play. It will not be seen and if it’s the only button on the menu then pressing the Enter key will activate it.

~jr

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

[Chuck Manly]

Thanks John!

How do I insert an invisable empty button onto my menu and link it to my main video?
I’m a little dense so could you explain it step by step?

[John Rofrano]

> How do I insert an invisable empty button onto my menu and link it to my main video?

To insert an empty the button and link it to a video:

1. Choose the menu item Insert | Empty Button
2. Right-click the button and select Button Style | Image Only
3. With the new button selected, click on Highlight button under Button Properties (on the right)
4. Change the Style to Custom
5. Right-click on the root of the DVD hierarchy pane (on the left) and choose Insert Media…
6. Navigate to the movie you want to link the button to, highlight it, and press OK (the movie should now appear in the hierarchy)
7. Click on Action button under Button Properties
8. Select Destination and change it from Broken Link to the name of your movie via the drop-down list.

Your movie is now linked to a hidden button that plays your movie. If you preview the menu you will not see the button but if you press the Enter key the movie will play. This is also how you would create an “Easter Egg” on a DVD menu that no one knows is there unless you press on it.

> I’m a little dense so could you explain it step by step?

OK, I created a new tutorial on my web site for you with pictures and circles and arrows and everything. You can access it from this link:

Secret DVD Buttons

Enjoy,

~jr

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

[Chuck Manly]

John, you are THE MAN!
Thanks for all your help and the well written tutorial.
I followed it and I’ve created a DVD to function the way I wanted.

Before you replied I tried a different fix….
I changed my button to text only and made it really small and placed it off screen. DVDA gave me a warning when I went to burn but I ignored it.
Then I can press enter anytime I want to play my main video.

I like your way much better.

Thanks again!

[John Rofrano]

I’m glad that got it working for you. It also gave me an excuse to write a new tutorial which I haven’t done in a while. 😉

~jr

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