Topic: authoring with dvd lab pro 2

[vegaspunx]

i need help using dvd lab pro 2 i can't figure out anything with this program i've been using tsunami to author dvds but would like to learn to use dvd lab since it seems you can customize your menus much more

[vegaspunx]

anybody?? 

[Ziggz]

What kind of help do you need?

I've authored a bunch of stuff with it. Nothing too flashy though.

[vegaspunx]

What kind of help do you need?

I've authored a bunch of stuff with it. Nothing too flashy though.

well i just need some help getting started i can't figure it out 

[Ziggz]

Ok! This is probably confusing without screen shots, but: Drag your source files into the bottom left assets window (if it's a single mpg it will ask to demux, click yes). In the main area should be a "Connections" + "Movie" window. Double click "movie" if the window isn't open already. Drag your video + audio source into there.  There you can add chapter points with the slider in the movie window (clicking the little + sign at the top of the slider). To menu, use the wizard icon & choose "scene selection menu", pick a template.
I'll see if I can find the tutorial that got me started, as it is a fairly complex program. I've only done basic menus with custom backgrounds, etc.

[vegaspunx]

thanks i've never been able figure even that much out

[vegaspunx]

you can't play audio with the video when adding chapters?

[Ziggz]

Don't think so. There's a free extension/add-on called Pro Extensions that has more accurate chapter points and audio. There's a download link somewhere on their forums.

[ShawnF]

I find it easier and more precise to load the video and audio files into TMPGEncDVDAuthor to get the chapter points I want by frame number, and then use those numbers to manually add chapter points in DVDLabPro.  Index the video file in DVDLabPro before you ty to add the chapter points.  Should work like a charm.  I don't care for the ProExtensions method nearly as much, but if it works OK for you, that might streamline things for you.

I mainly learned how to use the thing from reading/searching the very long help file.  I think there are some resources on the company's website, too.  If you know you're going to do one or more scene selection menus, you might prepare audio for it ahead of time (if you want something playing while it's on a menu).  Once you've created the menu, just add the audio file to the Assets bin and drag it onto the menu you want.  I had some issues getting audio to work with a motion menu, but it's been a while since I attempted one of those.

[Gordon]

Don't think so. There's a free extension/add-on called Pro Extensions that has more accurate chapter points and audio. There's a download link somewhere on their forums.

the add on is for dvd lab?  sounds awesome!


here's what I do for chapter points.  a bit of a pain in the ass but I like dvd lab much better than architect.  anyway I open the audio I am using for the dvd in cdwave and track it there.  write down all the track times and add chapters from the timings.

[vegaspunx]

ok cool i have the chapters in place but i don't understand how to add a jpeg as a menu background i want to make  a custom background then use text only as chapter selection still very confusing

[Ziggz]

Add the jpg to the assets, then hold down 'shift' and drag it into the menu window. Not holding shift will make it thumbnail size.

[Gordon]

Add the jpg to the assets, then hold down 'shift' and drag it into the menu window. Not holding shift will make it thumbnail size.

you can also just drag from your picture folder holding shift.

[vegaspunx]

i thought i finaly got this program figured out  but when i go to compile i get errors heres the log file

*** DVD Lab Pro Verification Log ***
    3 - 12 - 2009 -- 16:27:43


************************
*                      *
*   VMG Verification   *
*                      *
************************


Number of VTS - 1
Number of Menus: 2


Menu 01 - Type - Dummy


Menu 02 - Type - Still
   nMenu cell count - 1

   Menu Image File C:\Temp\68350096_tmp1.bmp
   Picture size - 720 x 480
   Menu Audio File - None
   Menu Sub-Picture File C:\Temp\68350096_tmpsub1.bmp
   Picture size - 720 x 480

Number of imported VTS: 0

************************
*                      *
*   VTS Verification   *
*                      *
************************


<<< VTS Number 1 >>>
Number of Titles: 2


Title 01 - Type - ES or PES
Segment 1, Video File C:\Users\jeremy\Desktop\tsolvegas2cam.mpv
   Frame Size: 720 X 480
   Frame Rate 4         [1--23.976, 2--24, 4--29.97, 3--25, 5--30]
   Aspect Ratio: 43      [43--4:3, 169--16:9]
   MPEG Video Type: 2      [1--MPEG 1, 2--MPEG 2]
   Chroma: 1         [1--4:2:0, 2--4:2:2, 3--4:4:4]
   GOP 1, size - 537020
   GOP 2, size - 162382
   GOP 3, size - 478746
Segment 1, Audio File C:\Users\jeremy\Desktop\tsolvegas2cam.mpa
   No Audio
Segment 1, Subtitle File : None



Title 02 - Type - Slide
Segment 1, Image File C:\Temp\200777736_tmp0.bmp
   Picture size - 720 x 480
Segment 1, Audio File C:\Users\jeremy\Desktop\tsolvegas2cam.mpa
   No Audio




Number of Menus: 5


Menu 01 - Type - Dummy


Menu 02 - Type - Still
   nMenu cell count - 1

   Menu Image File C:\Temp\68365800_tmp1.bmp
   Picture size - 720 x 480
   Menu Audio File C:\Users\jeremy\Desktop\t.s.o.l.mp2
   Audio type: MPEG, Channel: 2, Sampling: 48000, Bitrate: 192000
   Menu Sub-Picture File C:\Temp\68365800_tmpsub1.bmp
   Picture size - 720 x 480


Menu 03 - Type - Still
   nMenu cell count - 1

   Menu Image File C:\Temp\68413392_tmp1.bmp
   Picture size - 720 x 480
   Menu Audio File C:\Users\jeremy\Desktop\t.s.o.l.mp2
   Audio type: MPEG, Channel: 2, Sampling: 48000, Bitrate: 192000
   Menu Sub-Picture File C:\Temp\68413392_tmpsub1.bmp
   Picture size - 720 x 480


Menu 04 - Type - Still
   nMenu cell count - 1

   Menu Image File C:\Temp\68512824_tmp1.bmp
   Picture size - 720 x 480
   Menu Audio File C:\Users\jeremy\Desktop\t.s.o.l.mp2
   Audio type: MPEG, Channel: 2, Sampling: 48000, Bitrate: 192000
   Menu Sub-Picture File C:\Temp\68512824_tmpsub1.bmp
   Picture size - 720 x 480


Menu 05 - Type - Still
   nMenu cell count - 1

   Menu Image File C:\Temp\96756032_tmp1.bmp
   Picture size - 720 x 480
   Menu Audio File - None
   Menu Sub-Picture File C:\Temp\96756032_tmpsub1.bmp
   Picture size - 720 x 480

************************
*                      *
*   Status Messages    *
*                      *
************************
   Start building Video Title Set ( VTS )  ... - 2001
   Title - 1
   Start building VOB streams - 2210
   Muxing elementary streams is in process ... - 2220
   Initializing audio packets ... - 3005
   [ERR] Audio sampling rate is neither 48KHz nor 96KHz - 3503
   [INFO] - No subtitle stream is provided - 3739
   Verifying Closed Caption file is in process ... - 3750
   Muxing is in process ... - 2300
   Audio packetizing ends - 3025
   Creating PGC for the title is in process ... - 2500
   Title - 2
   Start building slide title is in process ... - 2400
   Initializing audio packets ... - 3005
   [ERR] Audio sampling rate is neither 48KHz nor 96KHz - 3503


any idea what went wrong??? something with audio it says 48khz in the assets bin

[Gordon]

just throwing stuff out there cause the log is hard to read.  all audio (movie and menus) must be the same format.  if one is wave (lpcm) the other (menu) has to be.  I see that your menus are mp2.  perhaps that is the problem?