Download
MissingMenuGenerator
14-MAR-02
updated
> Generates XML files for the creation of VCD and SVCD video disk
> Build menu file structures with easy to use pull down menus
> Table view window shows layout as play back control is being built
> Hover-over Help discriptions give basic operation of buttons
> Works perfectly with the "vcdxbuild" function of MissingMpegTools
to make Toast ready image files.
Though, VCD/SVCD play back control does not have all features of
DVD, with some creative thinking, you can still enjoy an interactive menu.
Read the QuickStart text below for details on the controls and their function. Also, are directions on how I create still menu still screen and motion video menu clips.
It is recommended a visit to www.vcdimager.org for full documentation.
This site also offer a quick and easy online mpeg still creation for use as menu.
Below are two screen captures:
The first one shows a music video disk with an opening intro track, then
slips into the menu screen, loops 3 times, pauses for 10 seconds, returns
to the intro. During the intro, the user may press the Next, or Return button
to jump to the menu. In the menu, the Number buttons will jump to that track. At the end of each video, the control returns to the menu.
In the second example, a movie vcd is being assembled with a menu at
start up. The Next button will start the play, and will continue with each
track till end of disk. The Number buttons will jump to that chapter. Also
the chapter entry breaks are set at 15 minute intervals to assist in scan-search.
QUICK START
1) Select the "Type" of disk to build.
2) Press "Add", load in order, all the mpeg tracks you plan to use.
3) Select the a track in the window, click the "Previous" popup button.
Select the track to goto if the Previous button is pressed on the player.
Repeat for "Next" and "Return", the "Timeout" is where it will go after it
finishes playing the current track. If a entry is left blank, it will be set to END OF DISK.
4) "Set as Menu" will add Select by Number capability to that track.
This is typicaly used on a short clip or mpeg still image as a selection page.
Remember buttons will match sequeince order, and always start a 0.
A disk can have multiple menus and/or all tracks can have this feature.
Note: a still image must be a menu item, motion mpegs may be either menu or normal.
5) Number of times track will "Loop" before going to "Wait", useful for menu.
If the value is 0, track will be looped indefinitely.
6) Jump-Timing will go to button selection "Immediately" (recommended) or
"Delayed" till track has finished playing.
7) "Wait" is seconds after track has finished playing and looping before going to Timeout.
A value of -1 will pause indefinitely till Previous, Next, Return, or a Number button is pressed.
8) "Update" can be press at any time to store the settings.
9) "Remove" the selected track from the list.
10) "GenMenu" to build and save the XML file.
ADVANCED SETTINGS
11) Set the name of the "AlbumID", used by computer, may not be seen by stand alone player
12) Set the name of the "VolumeID", used by computer, may not be seen by stand alone player
13) Set the "Volume #", player may prompt, you for next disk in set.
14) Set "Chapters" entrypoints to scan forward to, default first point is at 0.00 from start.
Entrypoints will not be added to tracks tagged as "Menu".
Caution: total minutes must be equal to or less than the shortest track length.
15) "Options" are "update scan offsets" and "track pregap-value=152"
These are required for some players to respond correctly to video disk.
Note: Not allowed in VCD and will be disabled if VCD is selected.
NOTE: Some additional features have been left out, for simplicity.
Features can be added by popular demand.
Still Menu Screen
In some cases you may want to use a looping movie clip with or without sound for your menu. This will take some skill in video editing to put text on the screen. (see next section)
In most cases a still image will do just fine.
How to make a mpeg still menu.
1) Design your menu screen on a 720x480 pallet. (I use GraphicConverter for this step)
Remember this is NOT dvd, you will need to tell the viewer what number relates to each movie track.
Leave at least a 50 pixels blank border. Remember the edges of an image will be behind the bezzel around the picture tube of your TV.
2) Save as jpeg or any other format supported by Quicktime.
Do to a mpeg encoder fault introduced in MediaPipe, at least two frame movie is required.
3) Open image in QT, select Copy, then Paste, then Save or Export as QT movie, this will make a two frame movie.
4) Use MissingMpegTools to command MediaPipe to make a Mpeg Still.
5) Use Mplex from MissingMpegTools to multiplex as a Still.
Set the "Still" switch, then Set the path to the mpv made with MediaPipe, and Mux.
This will create two mpg, only one will be used, others may discarded.
You can view with QuickTime 6 w/mpeg component or VideoLAN if you wish.
It is now ready for use in MissingMenuGen.
For the real lazy, there is a online encoder at http://www.vcdimager.org/stillencode/
Here is a sample of a still image menu:
Motion Video Menu
A motion video menu can be run once and pause indefinaty, time-out to start another clip (or back to itself), or loop x number of times.
The process is simular to making a still menu image, except we will use some advanced features of QT Pro.
1) Layout your menu text on a 720x480 pallet with either a solid back or white background.
Remember this is NOT dvd, you will need to tell the viewer what number relates to each movie track.
Leave at least a 50 pixels blank border. Remember the edges of an image will be behind the bezzel around the picture tube of your TV.
2) Save as pict or any other format supported by Quicktime.
3) Open the saved image in Quicktime Pro and select Edit -> Copy.
4) Close that window and open your motion video clip in QT Pro.
5) Select Edit -> Select All, then Edit -> Add Scaled.
6) Select Movie -> Get Movie Properties.
7) In the Properties window select Video Track 2 from the left pull down.
8) Select Graphics Mode from the right pull down.
9) Choose transparent from the list window, then chick Color.
10) Coose the background color from the pop up window.
11) Save as self-contained movie.
12) Use your favorite tools to compress into an mpeg movie.
Here is a sample of a motion video menu:
