Wts(jmanz)
Forum Replies Created
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You can set up links directly to their website; you could include the website contents on the disc and launch it from there as well. It requires that the viewing computer have a dvd-rom, and that it has an installed dvd decoder. eDVD functionality uses the dvd decoder already installed on a system for dvd video viewing. It uses Interactual Player’s technology for rom content access, so if a users computer doesn’t have IAP already installed, it will ask if the viewer wants to install it on their system. The auto-prompting for install only works with a PC, a Mac user would have to install the IAP manually. eDVD enhanced discs should run just fine on most PC’s and current Mac’s. There are technical details on creating/formatting and outputting a disc that need to be followed precisely for the links to work (launching a folder and Mac executables are the two) on a Mac. If you don’t have a need for these two types of links, then outputting from a PC should work. If the viewer is trying to watch the enhanced disc on a work computer, the first time it’s run the IS people should be involved to make sure that the IAP software loads properly. Most work places place limits on priveleges for program installation, and some have had a problem with the IAP working if a full install isn’t performed. There was, and I think there still is, a trial version that’s fully functional for 15 days or so. It would be a way a ‘testing’ the waters.
Jim
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eDVD really is the best (current) solution for ROM content access. You can’t display the contents however while watching the disc via a set top player, you need a computer to access the content. You can have video content playing in the dvd window, and in a separate window off to the side you can launch the other content so they can be viewed simulataneously.
jim
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Graham5000,
Make sure your mpeg1 files are elementary streams–unmuxed/separate audio and video streams. If you import a muxed/combined file, I think DVDSP will convert it (not sure since I’ve never done that). I have imported and used mpeg1 files in DVDSP and it won’t convert them if they are compliant files.
Jim
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Mpeg1 is an accepted dvd format. You can’t exceed 1.856 Mbps. Obviously at low bitrates such as this the quality will suffer, but it (mpeg1) is indeed a part of the dvd specs.
Jim
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eDVD4 from Sonic is your best bet.
https://www.sonic.com/products/Professional/eDVD/quicklook.aspx
Jim
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eDVD 4 from Sonic would be an excellent choice. It is a stand alone application that is dvd authoring application independent. You could author your dvd video content with Encore, and use eDVD 4 after that to create your pdf and web links. It works great, and once you learn the basics of setting up your initial dvd video project, easy to use.
Jim
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Yes, you would have to produce the files from DVD-A.
Jim
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Joe,
The chapters aren’t contained within the mpeg file, that’s why you have one long video stream. When you create a dvd, the application that does that for you takes your mpeg file and packages into a folder–VIDEO_TS. Inside that folder are your mpeg file (now contained in files with a .vob extension) and text/informational files (ifo and bup) that tell your computer (or set top player) how the dvd should play, chapter marks, menu button colors, etc. Without that extra bit of info, your computer doesn’t know what to do with the mpeg file except to just play it. If you create a dvd with your file, and drag and drop the VIDEO_TS folder over to your HD or desktop, then you could point Windows Media Player or other software dvd player to play the contents of that folder. You should be able to use the chapter marks that way.
Jim
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I don’t know of any additional on line resources as of yet other than Alex A’s excellent review/how-to. The above reference is from the manual, and from my own personal experience. There are two link types that require disc output on a Mac either directly from DVDSP or by using Toast. They are links to Mac executables (which makes sense), and launching folders. If you are creating links that don’t involve either of those two, then you can output from a PC. You could post here if you have questions regarding eDVD4 and I’ll try to answer them the best I can.
Jim
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What problems are those? I saw his post, but IMO, the install process is pretty straight forward, and loads better than using Apple’s DVD@ccess (at least on a PC). The IA technology is currently used on a wide variety of Hollywood discs, and many computers already have the IA player installed. DVD-ROM content access from within the viewing experience of a DVD-Video disc was and is not a part of the original dvd specs. The dvd specs have pretty much made it possible that if you have a dvd player on a computer (with a dvd decoder) or set top player AND a compliant dvd-video disc–it should play. It requires fairly strict definitions and agreement on all partners in such an endeavor to make sure that it’s more a less a universal experience. Even with such wide spread agreement, one still runs into issues from time to time. Accessing DVD-Rom content like you want is an adaptation of what the specs allow, and for that reason, doesn’t hold the same degree of acceptance. In fact, you can’t access the features on a set top player, only on a computer–and not every computer, but ones that meet the minimal specs (PC or Mac).
If you are looking for the Holy Grail application for adding ROM content, you unfortunately aren’t going to find it. If you want something that works for the most part, and IMO does, then eDVD 4 is your best bet. If you are authoring for Mac’s and PC’s, then there are some file/folder associations that require the mastering on a Mac to maintain the resource forks necessary for it to work (launching of a folder or Mac executable). Otherwise, the other file types work well mastered/burned from either platform.
Jim