What authoring program they used?

[Dr Mordrid]

FWIW DVDWS 2.231 also has playlists. This patch also added 2-pass encoding and, with DirectShow tuner/capture devices, a TV runer front end for the capture engine. The latest DVD burner patch added 16x and dual layer support to all Ulead's burning products.

Dr. Mordrid

[Ted222]

I really like the talk to simplify DVD Menus....I think I have spent too much time trying to put too much "zap" in mine. Detracts from the content.

DVDWS...nice tool...been using it for quite a while now.

Ted

[Brian Ellis]

Yup! We all start with excess pizazz in menus, too many transitions and other effects. Simple is beautiful, like the simple black sheath with a single piece of jewellery, compared with a striking flouncy multi-coloured dress which makes the wearer look like a tart.

This is why I suggested that motion backgrounds and motion buttons should default to static and not motion in WS2, but this fell on deaf ears.

[Elie]

Actually I don't agree with you Brian, Video = motion and to have a static menu is good depends on the situation, but because it is a DVD people expect some kind of animated/motion menus, again depends on the subject.

My first page always has some kind of motion background where I do the following...

1-take snippets from the project itself in premiere and create a 2 minute video with a bit of blur and or soft focus slomo, darken it a bit, I may also include a mask to provide a cool looking effect, and the titles are at the bottom or middle of the screen.
i will compliment the above with a nice musical audio clip.

2-Or I can take pictures and animate them in After Effects (pan and scan/zoom) and use that as a backrop

3-I have Digital juice jumpback that can be customizable in many ways as an animated background to spice up the DVD.

I don't know who your target audience is Brian, but in my case motion = better

Regards,
Elie

[Hulk]

I think it apt to compare the progression of DVD authoring to the development of websites.

Remember 10 years ago when website design was very simple? The site designers had minimal tools compared with today and simply created the links required so the viewer could quickly find the information required.

As the web caught on sites became more and more complicated. Remember a few years ago when EVERY site just HAD to have about 25 frames in it? A big confusing mess. Difficult to update, difficult to navigate, and long load times.

Now things have progressed to where they were. Many people are building nice simple efficient sites. Designed to get the user to the info quickly and with a minimum of effort.

I think DVD authoring is in the "frames" period of its development, or on "the way down" from the crazy movie in a menu days.

Just because you can doesn't mean you have to.

BTW, Elie, your menus sound very tasteful and interesting. It seems like your designs provide interest but don't overpower the buttons. Of course just about any crazy idea can be implemented successfully if you have an artistic and spacially aware author.

- Mark

[Elie]

Hey Hulk!
I totally agree with you, with any video.. having too many 3D effects will only spoil the whole viewing experience. Simple dissolves and cut offer a smooth flow and will enhance the viewers experience.

I take the same approach with my DVD menus, subtle yet effective and not over powering, with the right colour combination and the right titles etc, wil create a great product that people will enjoy.

I also have been able to create transitions between different menus using Premiere Pro and After effects, where you'll see the buttons slide off the screen and new ones come in etc. pretty cool stuff.

Anyway, There is nothing wrong with static menus and I have created DVD's like that myself, but again depending on the project, you may want to add some spice to your projects such as weddings, and corporate etc.

Regards,
Elie

[Brian Ellis]

I didn't say that you shouldn't have the possibility of motion menus: I feel it should default to static with a check box to allow it, not the other way round as now.

For me, a menu is a tool and anything that can distract from its function is undesirable. Depending on my subject matter, I use either a still photo or a still abstract theme for the background.

I never, ever use motion buttons; I select a frame that illustrates best the chapter. It's a real pain remembering to uncheck the motion button.

In most of the latest Hollywood DVDs I've seen, they rarely use special effects on the menus. In fact, they often go to text-only menus nowadays.

However, this is a combination of personal philosophy and taste.

I agree with Mark re web sites. For me the acme of perfection is Google. Simple, uncluttered, practical, pleasing to the eye and fast to download. Not having broadband available, what I abhor the most, today, is Flash, where it cannot be bypassed. In fact, when looking for suppliers, I have often simply gone elsewhere when a non-bypassable Flash starts to download, so that the company may lose business with such features on their home page.

[Hulk]

You are right Brian.

NOTHING pops up faster than the Google page!

- Mark