19 Replies Latest reply: May 31, 2009 12:02 PM by Bill Hunt RSS

    Problem authoring in Encore

    Michelmnr Community Member

      Michelmnr

      This Question is Not Answered

      1 "correct" answer available (10 pts) 2 "helpful" answers available (5 pts)
      2 Replies Last post: May 25, 2009 10:50 PM by Michelmnr
      MichelmnrUser54 posts since
      Aug 16, 2005
      Reply

      May 25, 2009 9:00 PM

      Problem Authoring in Encore

      This is a copy of what I wrote in Premiere Forum having difficulty to be accepted here but now I've managed to post in this forum! if there is a tutorial to use this forum/fora please someone let me know I need to understand a little more about its (rules, navigation, utilisation etc.)

       

       

       

      I have discussed this problem in an old thread in Encore but was advised to start a new one with more details and so get more attention.

      I made a project from a wedding including media from several camera, emails, video recorder and SD cards movies that I want to distribute to friends and familly. I ran in few problem although I have now a semi working DVD. I would like to be able to do it properly in the future.

       

      Here are the detail of the project and the problem at the end:

       

      1) Opened Encore with a project name
      2 ) Imported three clips each as a time line - one was exported from PP as a movie and was a much larger .avi file (3.5 gb. which did not play well, had frames following each others in people's movement but hoped the Encore encoding would, {it did} fix it)
      The other 2, smaller, exported as dvd and with their .vob extension changed to .mpg.
      3) Imported the last clip as an asset also made in PP2.0 and exported as dvd, again changed the ext. from .vob to .mpg. this is the one I use for the menu.
      4) On the first timeline I added two chapters, and one on the other time line.
      5) I chose the menu from encore. "Pal_Radiant Menu"
      6) I dragged my "menu" asset clip onto the menu viewer. and deleted everything showing from the default menu but the 6 buttons.
      7) I changed the buttons' names to relevant one for my project.
      8) I used the pickwhip to link these names with their assets, to the timelines in the project window, and the chapters into their respective timeline.
      9) in the property window I created an end of action to each of them pointing to the menu.
      10) I looped "for ever" the menu clip
      The buttons linked property window show:
      1) for the timeline link:
      the name and number
      type= normal
      link= (name of the timeline)
      Overide= not set
      only box ticked= Sync Button Text and Name
      2) for the chapters:
      the same with the addition of "Auto Activate" ticked.
      The menu property window shows:
      Under Basic:
      Name= Pal_Radiant Menu
      End Action= Chapter 1 (of one of the only 2 clips I can choose from the menu out of 3)
      Override=not set
      Default button=1
      offset=0
      Color Set=Automatic
      Box ticked to "Automatically Route Buttons"
      "Operation" = all permitted
      Asp ratio 4:3
      Under Motion:
      Video = name of my menu clip
      Audio = Same
      Duration = 19:16
      Box ticked for "animate buttons"   (i don't know if this is ok?)
      Loop pt = 0
      Loop# = Forever
      In my project window I can see my three timelines with their respective asset under.
      Then my menu asset clip
      Finally, Pal_Radiant Menu
      That's it.
      I just found out that in their "transcode status" column, one of the clips is set to "don't transcode" (the others show "transcoded"
      This specific clip is the one that will only play automatically when the dvd is first inserted  in the player. and at the end of it the menu plays as I wanted it to work.
      (NB: I did set Pal_Radiant menu at "first play")
      My timeline window shows:
      the 3 timelines names. each tab displays its video and audio
      In the property window all have an end of action pointing to the menu
      but in the "menu remote" one is set to its chapter 1 when the two others are set to "return to last menu"
      So this is what happens.
      DVD will launch this "don't transcode" timeline, and at the end of it the menu appears and plays and I get my menu appearing at the end of this play
      This menu is only composed of the first frame of my clip (In Encore menu viewer) and six rectangular buttons each named to my choice of name for the timelines or chapters they are linked to.
      They are displayed in three rows of two.  I can not access the bottom row that is the last two buttons? One is actually linked to the clip that plays automatically, the other,  to another time line, (and luckily was not necessary as it's almost at the beginning of the clip,  but thought particularly interesting to make a chapter out of it.)
      So it's usable but not correct. Unlike in the preview in Encore which starts with the Menu and allows me to navigate to any of the six buttons and choose the one I want. plays it with the end of action that returns me to the menu.
      I did not use "playlist"or "chapter playlist".
      I don't know how to do screen capture which I know would be clearer and more reliable than this but hope it will shade some light on my errors.
      I have been given alternative to my handling of assets/media but I'm not sure if I know or understand enough for this!
      thanks for the interest anyway
      MM
        • 1. Re: Problem authoring in Encore
          Bill Hunt CommunityMVP

          MM,

           

          I think that the forum has it in for you right now. Things just do not seem to be working out.

           

          OK, can you attach a screen cap of your Timelines, your Project Panel and your Flowchart. It would probably be best to do one screen-cap of each of these, and Crop in, so that we can see the details clearly. If you have more than one Timeline, please include one screen-cap of each.

           

          I'll go find your original post, and see if I can get it up in a properly formatted form. I'll just add it as a reply.

           

          Also, I'm having a problem with the forum server not accepting small JPG images right now, so it might take a day, before you can post these again. Let's all just be patient.

           

          Hunt, off to find your original post

          • 2. Re: Problem authoring in Encore
            Bill Hunt CommunityMVP

            This is the post that MM has been trying to load and also get an answer to:

             

            Hi I hope it's ok I tried to start my discussion in Encore forum but was told I'm not authorised? So here I am

            I have discussed this problem in an old thread in Encore but was advised to start a new one with more details and so get more attention.

            I made a project from a wedding that I want to distribute to friends and familly. I ran in few problem although I have now a semi working DVD. I would like to be able to do it properly in the future.

             

            Here are the detail of the project:

            1) Opened Encore with a project name

             

            2 ) Imported three clips each as a time line - one was exported from PP as a movie and was a much larger .avi file (3.5 gb. which did not play well, had frames following each others in people's movement but hoped the Encore encoding would, {it did} fix it)

            The other 2, smaller, exported as dvd and with their .vob extension changed to .mpg.

             

            3) Imported the last clip as an asset also made in PP2.0 and exported as dvd, again changed the ext. from .vob to .mpg. this is the one I use for the menu.

             

            4) On the first time line I added two chapters, and one on the other time line.

             

            5) I chose the standard menu from encore. "Pal_Radiant Menu"

             

            6) I dragged my "menu" asset clip onto the menu viewer. and deleted everything showing from the default menu but the 6 buttons.

             

            7) I changed the buttons' names to relevant one for my project.

             

            8) I used the pickwhip to link these names with their assets, to the timelines in the project window, and the chapters into their respective timeline.

             

            9) in the property window I created an end of action to each of them pointing to the menu.

             

            10) I looped "for ever" the menu clip

             

            The buttons linked property window show:

            1) for the timeline link:

            the name and number

            type= normal

            link= (name of the timeline)

            Overide= not set

            only box ticked= Sync Button Text and Name

             

            2) for the chapters:

            the same with the addition of "Auto Activate" ticked.

            The menu property window shows:

            Under Basic:

            Name= Pal_Radiant Menu

            End Action= Chapter 1 (of one of the only 2 clips I can choose from the menu out of 3)

            Override=not set

            Default button=1

            offset=0

            Color Set=Automatic

            Box ticked to "Automatically Route Buttons"

            "Operation" = all permitted

            Asp ratio 4:3

            Under Motion:

            Video = name of my menu clip

            Audio = Same

            Duration = 19:16

            Box ticked for "animate buttons" (i don't know if this is ok?)

            Loop pt = 0

            Loop# = Forever

            In my project window I can see my three timelines with their respective asset under.

            Then my menu asset clip

            Finally, Pal_Radiant Menu

            That's it.

             

            I just found out that in their "transcode status" column, one of the clips is set to "don't transcode" (the others show "transcoded"

            This specific clip is the one that will only play automatically when the dvd is first inserted in the player. and at the end of it the menu plays as I wanted it to work.

             

            (NB: I did set Pal_Radiant menu at "first play")

             

            My timeline window shows:

            the 3 timelines names. each tab displays its video and audio

            In the property window all have an end of action pointing to the menu

            but in the "menu remote" one is set to its chapter 1 when the two others are set to "return to last menu"

            So this is what happens.

             

            DVD will launch this "don't transcode" timeline, and at the end of it the menu appears and plays and I get my menu appearing at the end of this play

            This menu is only composed of the first frame of my clip (In Encore menu viewer) and six rectangular buttons each named to my choice of name for the timelines or chapters they are linked to.

             

            They are displayed in three rows of two. I can not access the bottom row that is the last two buttons? One is actually linked to the clip that plays automatically, the other, to another time line, (and luckily was not necessary as it's almost at the beginning of the clip, but thought particularly interesting to make a chapter out of it.)

             

            So it's usable but not correct. Unlike in the preview in Encore which starts with the Menu and allows me to navigate to any of the six buttons and choose the one I want. plays it with the end of action that returns me to the menu.

            I did not use "playlist"or "chapter playlist".

             

            I don't know how to do screen capture which I know would be clearer and more reliable than this but hope it will shade some light on my errors.

            I have been given alternative to my handling of assets/media but I'm not sure if I know or understand enough for this!

            thanks for the interest anyway

            MM

             

            • 3. Re: Problem authoring in Encore
              Joe Bowden Adobe Employee

              That is one long post...

               

              And it looks like the problem simply is this - the OP can't navigate to all the buttons in the menu. This sounds very much like a button routing issue.

               

              Have you tried manually routing your buttons?

              • 4. Re: Problem authoring in Encore
                Bill Hunt CommunityMVP

                A few comments:

                 

                2 ) Imported three clips each as a time line - one was exported from PP as a movie and was a much larger .avi file (3.5 gb. which did not play well, had frames following each others in people's movement but hoped the Encore encoding would, {it did} fix it)

                The other 2, smaller, exported as dvd and with their .vob extension changed to .mpg.


                It would have been better to Export all AV Assets from PrPro as elemental streams, i.e. one file for the Video-only and one for the Audio-only. Depending on the version of PrPro one has, this is basically the method of Export. In PrPro, make sure that your Sequence Timeline has focus (orange border).

                 

                For the DV-AVI Type II, chose File>Export>Movie. Set this to DV-AVI (PAL, or NTSC, depending on where you are located). Uncheck the Audio. You want Video ONLY. Look on the Multiplexing tab and make sure that Multiplexing (muxing) is turned off. It should be, once you uncheck Audio on the previous tab, but it pays to check. This will yield a silent Video-only file.

                 

                Next, and from the same Sequence, chose File>Export>Adobe Media Encoder (AME). Here, chose the MPEG2-DVD. Uncheck Video, so you will get Audio-only. Video tab will go blank. Go to the Audio tab and chose PCM for the Audio Format. Note: you can also chose AC3, but unless you are doing DD 5.1 SS, PCM is your best choice. This will yield an Audio-only WAV file with no Video.

                 

                In Encore, Import the AVI as a Timeline, and the WAV as an Asset. From the En Project Panel, drag the WAV to the appropriate Timeline. It will snap into place. Now, establish your navigational Links.

                 

                Do this for ALL AV Assets in PrPro. Note: with exceptions, this works with all "CS" versions of PrPro. If your linking to En is not working from CS3, or CS4, try this method to test your Assets.

                 

                Good luck,

                 

                Hunt

                • 5. Re: Problem authoring in Encore
                  Bill Hunt CommunityMVP

                  I agree on all counts. I saw some issues earlier on, and wanted to address those first.

                   

                  Also, MM has been having a real go at this, and it seems that the forum server has not been helping him.

                   

                  Hunt

                  • 6. Re: Problem authoring in Encore
                    Bill Hunt CommunityMVP

                    I just found out that in their "transcode status" column, one of the clips is set to "don't transcode" (the others show "transcoded"

                    This specific clip is the one that will only play automatically when the dvd is first inserted in the player. and at the end of it the menu plays as I wanted it to work.

                     

                    (NB: I did set Pal_Radiant menu at "first play")


                    From the first paragraph, it appears that you want one of your Timelines to be First Play, and then have it linked to your Radiant Menu. The second paragraph indicates that at one point, you had the Menu set to First Play, and then changed that. Am I correct on this? This statment indicates that it is:

                     

                    DVD will launch this "don't transcode" timeline, and at the end of it the menu appears and plays and I get my menu appearing at the end of this play

                    This is the part, that Joe points out is very likely a Button Routing issue:

                     

                    So it's usable but not correct. Unlike in the preview in Encore which starts with the Menu and allows me to navigate to any of the six buttons and choose the one I want. plays it with the end of action that returns me to the menu.

                    I did not use "playlist"or "chapter playlist".

                     

                    See the attached screen-cap:

                     

                    Encore Button Routing 01.jpg

                    This is what Joe is talking about.

                     

                    I don't know how to do screen capture which I know would be clearer and more reliable than this but hope it will shade some light on my errors.

                    The easiest way is to set up your screen (Encore's in this case) and hit Ctrl-Prt Sc (or Print Screen on some keyboards) key. This captures the display of the monitor and stores it in Clipboard. Open Photoshop, or similar image editor. Create New Image (default is to the dimensions of the capture in Clipboard. Once created, hit Ctrl-v (Paste) to get your Clipboard image into the New Image. Add text, etc., and then Save_As, choosing JPG. Note, you may need to re-size the image if your monitor is large. There are limits on the size and file types, that the Adobe forum can handle. Read up on these limits.

                     

                    Good luck, and don't hesitate to ask any more questions. I think that Joe nailed your main problem.

                     

                    Hunt

                    • 7. Re: Problem authoring in Encore
                      Michelmnr Community Member

                      Sorry about the long post

                      I don't know how to do a screen cap so did try to write all I did to get there.

                      I'm having a look at the manual routing.

                      Thank you for your time

                       

                      Michel

                      • 8. Re: Problem authoring in Encore
                        Michelmnr Community Member

                        I would not quite put it this way, I think you did help me a lot some more than others, but I did not even realise I was posting in old threads. I'm doing so little and spend so much time, so I think i'm lucky that you guys who are doing so much and still find time to help many like me are as a whole doing really well.

                        Thanks for the screen cap I must have missed it in the email! so I'll give it another go.

                        Michel

                        • 9. Re: Problem authoring in Encore
                          Michelmnr Community Member

                          Thank you joe. The problem actually is not in Encore as it all works perfectly the way I want like I said at the end of my "long post" I realise it's much to read and not technically written either. My 6 buttons are routed 1, 2, and 3 in the first collumn and 456 in the other this is actually the default. I have no trouble to access any of these in Encore project but my DVD will only let me access 1, 2, 4 and 5, that is the bottom row is not accessible. my remote control pointer/cursor refuses to go to these button. On button 3 (bottom of the first column) have got a timeline linked to it so I can't access it, but when I launch the dvd in the player if I wait this timeline plays, then give me the menu I wanted. (I have set the menu as "first play") but this is what's happening.

                          MM

                          • 10. Re: Problem authoring in Encore
                            Michelmnr Community Member

                            Take two!  I just discovered that my project in Encore was actually NOT playing as I wanted but it seemed to because I was not using the remote control but my mouse ! And my mouse was going over any button I liked; I did click on the remote b4 but nothing much happened so left it as that. Since, I found the remote button application and turned it on, (I wonder why it's not always "on")?  Then it reproduced what happened with my real remote . As  Joe suggested it was a rounting/wrapping setup issue, and when I understood how to apply  the settings to what I needed It was ok  and should also be ok in my next burning! Again I wonder why the default is set to run over itself I would have thought that if there is a next collumn or row it would be logic to get to it. I also realised that some of the buttons were ticked "auto activate" now I know it means just that! when you hoover over it, it starts!

                            I'll keep checking on my link now to see why one timeline plays before my menu, when the menu is set to "play first"

                            Thank again for pointing me in the right direction.

                            MM

                            • 11. Re: Problem authoring in Encore
                              Joe Bowden Adobe Employee

                              Congrats, MM!

                               

                              Encore's automatic button routing algorithm usually does OK initially unless buttons are not aligned. It can also fail when buttons are later added or repositioned. That's why it's important to check your button routing in Preview mode using the navigation widget instead of mousing over buttons.

                               

                              If you find your button routing doesn't work as expected in Preview or on the disc, or if your needs are more complex than Encore's automatic routing, then you'll want to manually route them, as described earlier.

                              • 12. Re: Problem authoring in Encore
                                Bill Hunt CommunityMVP

                                MM,

                                 

                                Glad that you got it going. Now you see why I suggested that you post your problem here. All it takes is a moment for Joe, Jeff or Neil to look over the problem and it's solved!

                                 

                                Let us know how the rest of it goes,

                                 

                                Hunt

                                • 13. Re: Problem authoring in Encore
                                  Michelmnr Community Member

                                  Yes it's working ok Joe and thanks again But I had a scare as my burnt dvd was a real mess to play. I was lucky to think it could have been my DVD  because it was! Got them cheap... They are actually a little stuck to each others! Put it again on a TDK RW and all is well now. I wonder if this too is  in the FAQ!

                                   

                                  Cheers Michel
                                  PS: Does every one sees the narrow column of about 2 words of one of my previous posts - Actually the first one! ( I was wondering if it's a punishment for exceeding appropriate lenght !) or it's just my browser (Google Chrome).
                                  • 14. Re: Problem authoring in Encore
                                    Joe Bowden Adobe Employee

                                    Your first post appears badly formatted; why, I don't know.

                                     

                                    Don't buy cheap DVD media - it's a false economy, as the quality control is just not as good as some brands. I like Taiyo Yuden and Verbatim - never had a problem with them.

                                    • 15. Re: Problem authoring in Encore
                                      Bill Hunt CommunityMVP

                                      MM,

                                       

                                      Re: the formatting. I've wondered about that too. My guess is that when you did a Ctrl-c (Copy)/Ctrl-v (Paste) you got a bunch of the HTML formatting code along with your text. I see multiples of some of the links from the forum page. Do not know Google Chrome, but do see the ads for it on Google's main page. I'm still in the Dark Ages with my IE 7.

                                       

                                      That was why I added your original post to this thread - to help others read it better. I had read it, with proper formatting in the PrPro forum, and knew that folk here would appreciate having it re-posted, but with proper formatting. Hope you don't mind. Since I was the one, who sent you here, I felt that it was the least that I could do to help you get answers.

                                       

                                      Next: heed Jbowden's suggestions. I have never had a bum DVD, using Verbatim, or Taiyo Yuden media. I have never had a Burn fail, using those. There is one other brand, Falcon, that has been getting high marks. Unforutnately it's only available in the US, or was limited to the US. I've never used it, but several people, who's opinion I trust, swear by it. Still Verbatim, or Taiyo Yuden will be great.

                                       

                                      Burn at the lowest speed possible. To save a moment of time with a burn is false economy. You will possibly have to redo it. Choose the slowest speed that the combo of your burner(s) and your media allow.

                                       

                                      Last, pick up a pack of DVD RW's to use to test your Projects. You can overwrite these many times. Using these will allow you to test and study your Project, before you commit it to a regular disc. Do not use these DVD RW's for distribution. They are for testing only.

                                       

                                      Good luck,

                                       

                                      Hunt

                                      • 16. Re: Problem authoring in Encore
                                        Michelmnr Community Member

                                        Thanks again, Bill, I imagine you've seen that narrow column. but is there a fix for it? Although it could be removed since it's duplicated. Yes I'm glad you transfered the post formated properly for others. The clearer the better! Re reading your post it seem you saw this from the begining, I was under the impression that it was ok when I opened it, then suddenly it croped in a thin column, never mind!

                                        So you guys, think I should take a loan to buy real DVD! Hm, when I discovered this I came to the same conclusion too (my late father used to tell me "I'm too poor to buy cheap"! But who listen to their parents? and it sooo tempting....

                                        I don't know why I did not think of the RW b4, It's definitely the way to go to test! and it'll be a little silly to distribute those.

                                        Ok, on the way to my next (unknown yet) hurdle

                                        MM

                                        • 17. Re: Problem authoring in Encore
                                          Bill Hunt CommunityMVP

                                          Yes, the first time that I saw the post, it had that off formatting, and that was right after you posted it. Since I had seen it already, it was simple to get the text and add a reply that provided what you tried to get up. Since I am not a MOD, I could not fix it, only help others to see it better.

                                           

                                          Glad that your progressing. I think that with a few more Projects, those "hurdles" will get lower, and farther apart!

                                           

                                          Just stop by, if you have any more questions. Someone here can help you.

                                           

                                          Good luck,

                                           

                                          Hunt

                                          • 18. Re: Problem authoring in Encore
                                            Michelmnr Community Member

                                            Well, all i can say is thank you all once more

                                            mm

                                            • 19. Re: Problem authoring in Encore
                                              Bill Hunt CommunityMVP

                                              MM,

                                               

                                              You are most welcome. Hope that the Project goes well for you.

                                               

                                              Hunt