Without having DVDA in front of me, try this (others can include more details if required):

Drag all of your files into the Project Overview window. This will put them on the disc but not onto a menu.

Change the settings of one of the files to make it "first-play." This will put a little star on the file.

Then, change the "end action" of each file to go to another file.

That should be about it.

You will see a menu on your workspace, but you don't even need te DVD to show it.

It looks extremely easy.

I will see if I can make the DVD Wednesday.
I have DVDA Version 5.

Thank you very much.
Kenny Q

I'm not doing something right

I followed Rob's instructions.
I put files in Compilation window, clicked on "Make DVD", Clicked on "Prepare", Clicked "Next",
the next windows had these messages.
- The end action of 'Music/Video Compilation 1' uses the most recent menu command before a menu or stop if no menus.

- The remote button action of 'Music/Video Compilation 1' uses the most recent menu command before a menu is reached. It will link to the top menu or stop if no menus.

I ignored that and clicked on "Next"

The next window had a message that said "No Message to display"
I clicked on "Finish" and it started preparing

Then...

I end up with a Warning that says "Warning: An error occured while writhing a file. Invalad data was encountered when processing an MPEG file."

Same thing happens when I do "Make DVD / Write Master"

What am I doing wrong?

Please help,
Kenny Q

If I had to guess, I'd say that one or more of your MPEG2 files are corrupt. If you have a program to check them for errors (Womble MPEG Video Wizard has a tool for this, there are others I'm sure), try that first. Otherwise, Add your MPEG2 files to a new project one by one, trying the Make DVD process after each one until you find the file(s) that results in the error. Just be sure to select the Prepare option rather than Prepare and Burn.

I wouldn't worry about the other messages. The default behavior of all media (including compilations) is to return to the menu after it finishes playing, DVDA is just reminding you that there's no menu to return to.

Rob

I'm using Staples DVD+R disc (4.7GB).

Okie dokie. But I don't think that's a factor here. DVDA is having a problem creating the files that it will eventually put to DVD, but it wouldn't be accessing the disc yet because it creates those files to hard drive first.

Rob

Thanks for your repy.

When making DVDs should I Click on Prepare, Burn disc or Make master?

Last I checked, the Make DVD describes each option. ;)

If you want to make the DVD files but not burn the disc yet, use Prepare. If you want to make the DVD files and burn them to disc, or if you want to burn a disc from DVD files you already made, choose Burn. The Make Master option is only if you are sending the files out to be made into a "real" DVD (like a commercial DVD rather than a homemade one).

Until you are reasonably sure that your project is ready to go to disc, I'd recommend the first option and then use a software-based player like WinDVD or DVD MAX to test the created DVD files.

Rob

Another question:

Some files have louder audio than others. How can I make them all even with the louder ones?

Thanks

I ended up putting all of the files together in Vegas with crossfades and markers and rendered it as one file.

I put the file in DVD Architect with a menu and it worked out pretty well.

I had to put some of the files in Sound Forge to normalize it to the level that I wanted.
It looks like DVDA doesn’t give you a choice when I normalize.

Overall, it took hours to put the DVD together.

I would still like to know how to batch normalize and have the audio of all of the files on the same level.

Also,
Is there a way (in DVDA or Vegas) to have the computer shut off after rendering or making a DVD? This way I can do this while sleeping and not worry about the computer staying on all night.

Please help.
Kenny Q

Vegas has a normalize function as well. If you right-click an audio event, I believe Normalize is in there someplace. No built-in way to batch normalize a bunch of files in Vegas -- maybe Audacity can do it.

Nope, neither Vegas or DVDA will shut off the PC after rending / making a DVD.

Rob

I've used the normalize function in Vegas but it is nothing like the one in Sound Forge.
Sound Forge has different levels and adjustments.

It would be nice to figure out a way to get a bunch of files to have the same audio level.

Thanks,
Kenny Q

I don't know, can you use Normalize at the Buss level?