[George Wing]

When is it failing — while compiling the DVD, or while actually burning to disc?

Have you installed any other software, or updated any firmware, changed disc type/brand since the last successful burn?

Try burning to DVD Folders (or Build a DVD Image file) on your hard drive. Then later burn that to disc in a separate step.

Regards,
George

[George Wing]

If you’re hesitant to delete some cache/stored files, then try saving the project under a new name, and then compiling the newly named project.

Regards,
George

[George Wing]

Sorry if this doesn’t help (I’ve never used Avid DVD), but I’ve done this with other packages (DVDLab PRO, DVD Architect, Encore DVD, DVD Workshop, and even the free DVDAuthorGui). Basically, you prepare your motion menu with the buttons “burned into the video”, and have them fade in at a certain point. This video becomes your motion-menu background. You then add your button highlights at the end of the “fade-in” — either using external highlight subpics, or using highlight objects in your software and setting a “Loop Point” or some other indicator of when the buttons should become “active” (i.e. selectable by the viewer). Making the buttons selectable at a certain point is the tricky step, and it’s a little different depending on the software you are using.

Regards,
George

[George Wing]

For DL discs, I would recommend DVD+R DL (Verbatim), and setting the booktype to DVD-ROM (if supported by your burner). I use IMGBURN to set the booktype and burn DL discs (NOTE: I am PC only, no MAC experience).

6mbps is a nice conservative number. How long is your DVD, and how many angles (are they mixed or multi or both)? Also, how many audio tracks, and what format audio are you using?

Sorry, I haven’t replicated DL projects, so hopefully others with that experience will provide their input.

Regards,
George

[George Wing]

Which version are you using? I was testing the Encore DVD 2.0 Trial, and it allowed me to burn the DVD to FOLDERS on my hard drive. Once on my hard drive, I can burn them to dvd disc as many times as I want (I use IMGBURN to burn from DVD Folders). Check if your version of Encore burns to DVD Folders, or perhaps can create a DVD Image file (*.ISO). This minimizes burn errors because everything is prepared/sorted properly in the Image file.

Regards,
George

[George Wing]

The bitrates for the video angles are not combined against the max bitrate, but there are some limitations depending on number of angles (and this might vary depending on your Authoring software). For DVD SP:
<= 5 Angles = 8mbps Maximum for the track's combined bitrate 6-8 Angles = 7.5mbps Maximum for the track's combined bitrate 9 Angles = 7mbps Maximum for the track's combined bitrate NOTE: when calculating the combined bitrate for a track, you only need to add in the bit rate of one video stream, but it needs to be the stream with the highest bit rate. Regards, George

[George Wing]

How do you want your menus/playback to work? Do you want the ability to play a single chapter, then return to a menu? Do you ever need a “Play All”?

If you only need to play a chapter and return to a menu, then on the timeline, select each chapter, and change its END ACTION (for the CHAPTER).

If you need a PLAY-ALL, then perhaps add one Chapter Playlist that includes all chapters?

Regards,
George

[George Wing]

As you and the client are aware, anything you do can be circumvented. But as you said, perhaps “slowing” them down might help a little 😉

What software are you using to Author your DVD’s? And what is the total duration of all your assets on the disc (and how much space are you using on the disc)? There might be some additional things you can add depending on the software you use…

Regards,
George

[George Wing]

The thing that’s not clear is whether the OP wants to have the video “continue” from the point of pressing a button (to change audio), or whether starting the video from the beginning is ok (but with a different audio track).

For instance, when trying to use menus, it will start at the beginning of the menu…

Regards,
George

[George Wing]

For “full-color” highlight buttons, have a look at the following thread for a discussion of different ways to accomplish this…

https://forums.creativecow.net/readpost/145/860634?

Regards,
George