Sonic DVD PRODUCER User Manual

SONIC™

DVD PRODUCER™

USER GUIDE

© 2001-2002 Sonic Solutions. All rights reserved.

DVD Producer User Guide — Sonic Part Number 800193 Rev A (05/02)

This manual, as well as the software described in it, is furnished under license and may only be used or copied in accordance with the terms of such license. The information in this manual is furnished for informational use only, is subject to change without notice, and should not be construed as a commitment by Sonic Solutions. Sonic Solutions assumes no responsibility or liability for any errors or inaccuracies that may appear in this book.

Except as permitted by such license, no part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, recording, or otherwise, without the prior written permission of Sonic Solutions.

SONIC SOLUTIONS, INC. (“SONIC”) MAKES NO WARRANTIES, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING WITHOUT LIMITATION THE IMPLIED WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY AND FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE, REGARDING THE SOFTWARE. SONIC DOES NOT WARRANT, GUARANTEE, OR MAKE ANY REPRESENTATIONS REGARDING THE USE OR THE RESULTS OF THE USE OF THE SONIC SOFTWARE IN TERMS OF ITS CORRECTNESS, ACCURACY, RELIABILITY, CURRENTNESS, OR OTHERWISE. THE ENTIRE RISK AS TO THE RESULTS AND PERFORMANCE OF THE SONIC SOFTWARE IS ASSUMED BY YOU. THE EXCLUSION OF IMPLIED WARRANTIES IS NOT PERMITTED BY SOME STATES. THE ABOVE EXCLUSION MAY NOT APPLY TO YOU.

IN NO EVENT WILL SONIC, ITS DIRECTORS, OFFICERS, EMPLOYEES, OR AGENTS BY LIABLE TO YOU FOR ANY CONSEQUENTIAL, INCIDENTAL, OR INDIRECT DAMAGES (INCLUDING DAMAGES FOR LOSS OF BUSINESS PROFITS, BUSINESS INTERRUPTION, LOSS OF BUSINESS INFORMATION, AND THE LIKE) ARISING OUT OF THE USE OR INABILITY TO USE THE SOFTWARE EVEN IF SONIC HAS BEEN ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGES. BECAUSE SOME STATES DO NOT ALLOW THE EXCLUSION OR LIMITATION OF LIABILITY FOR CONSEQUENTIAL OR INCIDENTAL DAMAGES, THE ABOVE LIMITATIONS MAY NOT APPLY TO YOU.

Sonic, Sonic Solutions, the Sonic logo, sonic.com, AutoCadence, AutoDVD, cDVD, ConstantQ, DVD Presenter, DVD Producer, DVD Ready, DVD Studio, Edit-on-DVD, First in DVD, hDVD, MyDVD, OneClick DVD, OpenDVD, PrePlay, SonicCare, Sonic Cinema, The Business of DVD, The Easiest Way to Publish on DVD, The Easiest Way to Record on DVD, The Smartest Way to Publish on DVD, and Where DVD Meets the Internet are trademarks of Sonic Solutions.

AuthorScript, eDVD, DVD Creator, DVDit!, ReelDVD, and Scenarist are registered trademarks of Sonic Solutions.

Dolby Digital is a trademark of Dolby Laboratories, Inc. Dolby Laboratories encourages use of the Dolby Digital trademark to identify soundtracks that are encoded in Dolby Digital. This is an effective way to inform listeners of the soundtrack format, and the use of a standard logo promotes easy recognition in the marketplace. However, like any trademark, the Dolby Digital logo may not be used without permission. Dolby Laboratories therefore provides a standard trademark license agreement for companies who wish to use Dolby trademarks. This agreement should be signed by the company that owns the program material being produced. Recording studios or production facilities which provide audio production or encoding services for outside clients generally do not require a trademark license. If you would like more information on obtaining a Dolby trademark license, please contact Dolby Laboratories Licensing Corporation. Information on trademark licensing plus instructions for using the Dolby Digital trademark and marking audio formats can also be found online at http://www.dolby.com.

Microsoft, Microsoft Windows XP, ME, 2000, 98 and 95, Internet Explorer, and the Microsoft logo are registered trademarks of the Microsoft Corporation, Inc.

Apple, the Apple logo, Finder, Macintosh, Power Macintosh and QuickTime are registered trademarks of Apple Computer, Inc.

Photoshop is a registered trademark of Adobe Systems Inc.

TARGA is a trademark of Pinnacle Systems, Inc.

CinePlayer is a trademark of RAVISENT Technologies Inc.

All other company or product names are either trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective owners.

Written and designed at Sonic Solutions, 101 Rowland Way, Novato, CA 94945, USA

Contents

1 Introduction

About the Documentation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 Sonic on the Web. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2

2 Installing DVD Producer

Installation Overview. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 Step 1: Installing the Software . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7 Step 2: Installing the SD-1000 Encoder. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9 Step 3: Connecting the Stereo Audio I/O to the Computer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11 Step 4: Connecting Peripheral Devices . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13 Step 5: Launching DVD Producer the First Time . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17 Removing DVD Producer. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20

3 Planning the Project

DVD Producer Overview . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21

What Is a DVD Producer Project?. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26

Calculating Bit Rates . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35

Creating, Saving, and Opening Projects . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39

4 Contents

4 Preparing Media Files

Video Parameters . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 44

Audio Parameters . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 46

Graphics Parameters. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 47

Creating Menu Graphics in Adobe Photoshop . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 51

Creating Motion Menus . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 55

5 Encoding Video and Audio

Encoding Overview . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 58 Preparing to Encode . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 61 Encoding Video and Audio . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 64 Creating and Editing Video and Audio Sets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 66

Audio Encoding Parameters . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 73

6 Getting Media Files into DVD Producer

Using the Palette Window . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 78 Importing Media Files . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 81 Deleting Files from the Project . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 82 Missing Media Files and Projects . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 82

7 Building the Project Structure

The List Window . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 84 Creating Movies and Menus . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 85 Setting the First Play . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 87 Editing Menus and Movies in the List window . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 89

8 Working with Menus

How DVD Producer Creates Menus and Menu Buttons . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 94 The Menu Editor window . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 95 Editing Menus with Floating Buttons . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 96 Editing Photoshop-Created Menus . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 104 Editing Buttons, Graphics, and Text . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 109

Contents 5

Creating Button Links . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 121

Adding, Replacing, and Deleting Menu Audio . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 126

Changing Menu Properties . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 127

9 Working with Movies

The Movie Timeline Window. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 136

Editing the Video Track . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 138

Creating and Editing Chapter Points . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 138

Multiple Audio Tracks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 141

Changing Audio Tracks in Simulation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 144 Importing Subtitles . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 145 Working with Subtitles in the Timeline . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 149 Subtitles in Simulation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 150 Changing Movie Properties . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 152

10 Proofing the DVD Project

DVD Producer’s Playback Options . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 157

Proofing the DVD Project . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 158

11 Creating DVDs

Choosing an Output Format. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 162

Creating a DVD Volume . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 165

Creating a Disc Image . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 167

Creating a DVD Disc . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 168

Creating a DVD Master. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 171

Creating a DVD-ROM . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 173

A Television Standards and DVD Regions

What Is a Television Standard? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 175 NTSC Countries . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 176 PAL Countries . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 177 DVD Regions and TV Systems for All Countries/Territories . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 178

6 Contents

B Digital Compression Primer

Four Factors of Digital Video. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 189

Major Digital Video Storage Formats. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 193

Factors Affecting Compression. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 193

MPEG Overview . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 195

Additional Information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 203

C Audio Connector Wiring

AES/EBU Digital Input. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 205 Balanced Analog Inputs and Outputs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 206 Unbalanced Analog Inputs and Outputs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 208

Glossary

Index

1 Introduction

Welcome to DVD Producer, a professional DVD production system that integrates encoding, authoring, and disc creation into a single, easy-to-use application. DVD Producer takes MPEG video, graphics, and PCM, Dolby Digital and MPEG sound files, and helps you to quickly build stunning, professional DVD presentations.

About the Documentation

DVD Producer includes the following documentation:

DVD Producer User Guide (This User Guide) Documents how to install and configure the DVD Producer software and hardware, and how to use DVD Producer to author DVD discs, which includes project planning, asset preparation and importing, building and authoring projects, proofing, and writing to disc.

DVD ProducerTutorial Contains several tutorials that introduces DVD Producer and the typical DVD authoring workflow; also included is a quick reference section listing all of DVD Producer’s shortcuts. It is highly recommend that you read this document before you begin using DVD Producer to create DVD presentations.

2 Chapter 1, Introduction

DVD Producer Quick Start Guide A quick overview of installing and using DVD Producer (for

those who just can’t wait!).

SonicCare Card Complete guide to the technical support options for Sonic products.

Before You Begin

You should understand basic Windows operations, such as using a mouse, clicking, doubleclicking and Right-clicking, dragging, and selecting items from menus, as well as using dialog boxes and other Windows elements. If these are unfamiliar terms, please review the Windows online help or documentation that came with your computer.

Sonic on the Web

Sonic’s Web site (www.sonic.com) contains a wealth of information about Sonic products and DVD authoring.White Papers, providing additional background on Sonic products and technology, are available at:

http://www.sonic.com/support/whitepapers.htm

If you have specific questions about using DVD Producer that aren’t answered by the documentation, a Support Knowledgebase is available at:

http://support.sonic.com/KBsearch.asp

Sonic continually tests and qualifies computer systems and peripherals for use DVD Producer. For the latest Configuration Guide on supported systems and devices, visit the

Sonic Web site at:

http://www.dvdproducer.sonic.com

2 Installing DVD Producer

This chapter contains instructions for installing and configuring DVD Producer. It covers both hardware and software.

DVD Producer comes in three configurations:

•Integrated authoring and encoding workstation (DVD-4001)

•Authoring only (DVD-4000)

•Encoding only (DVD-4025)

This chapter covers installation for each of these configurations. If you are installing a system for authoring only, you only need to read the sections on installing and registering the software. For the other two configurations, you should read the entire chapter.

4 Chapter 2, Installing DVD Producer

Installation Overview

What’s Included with DVD Producer

DVD Producer is available either as an authoring-only software application or as an authoring and encoding system. Systems that include the SD-1000 Encoder include the following hardware:

SD-1000 Encoder

Sonic Stereo Audio I/O

Breakout cable

The authoring-only application comes with a dongle that you must connect to the computer’s USB port.

Installation Overview

5

System Requirements

In addition to the Sonic hardware, you need a suitable computer and peripheral devices.The

DVD Producer Configuration Guide (available at www.dvdproducer.sonic.com) has the latest list of recommended devices.

Basic Steps

These steps provide an overview of the installation process. See the following sections for more details on each step.

1Install the DVD Producer software, then shut down the computer.

2Install the SD-1000 Encoder.

3Connect the Stereo Audio I/O to the computer.

4Connect the remaining peripheral devices.

5Restart or power up your computer, then register and configure DVD Producer according to the hardware configuration.

Tools Required

•Phillips #2 screwdriver

•Static protection wristband (included)

6 Chapter 2, Installing DVD Producer

Grounding Precautions

For your safety and to prevent damage to the hardware components, please observe these

precautions:

•Before making any connections, shut down your computer and any peripheral equipment that is already connected to it. Never connect or disconnect components while the power is on unless you are certain that they are hot-swappable.

•Use only 3-pin grounded AC outlets and, if in doubt, test them before using to ascertain that they are properly wired.

•Never use ground-lifting adapters to defeat the earth ground connection; this can result in a hazardous condition.

•Use surge-protected outlets to prevent damage from power surges.

•Where possible, connect all components to the same AC circuit; this will minimize the possibility of ground voltage differentials.

•Handle circuit cards by the edges only, and use the static protection wristband (included) to avoid damaging sensitive components.

Step 1: Installing the Software

7

Step 1: Installing the Software

You should install the DVD Producer software before installing the encoding hardware.The installer installs the DVD Producer program files, drivers for the SD-1000 Encoder, Ravisent’s CinePlayer DVD software, and the Sentinel SuperPro dongle drivers (for authoring-only systems).

Upgrading from an Earlier Version of DVD Producer

If upgrading from an earlier version of DVD Producer (or DVD Fusion for Windows), make sure to first uninstall the old version.

To uninstall DVD Producer:

1From the Windows Start menu, choose Settings > Control Panel.The Control Panel window opens.

2Double-click the Add/Remove Programs icon.

3Select DVD Producer (or DVD Fusion) and click Change/Remove.

4Follow the on-screen instructions.

Note: Make sure to also uninstall any MPEG-2 decoders and DVD players currently installed

on your computer.

8 Chapter 2, Installing DVD Producer

Installing DVD Producer

To install DVD Producer:

1Insert the DVD Producer Installation disc.The Setup program launches automatically.

2Follow the on-screen instructions to install the program files for DVD Producer.

3	If prompted to install the Sentinel SuperPro dongle driver, do one of the following:
•	If your system does not have the Sentinel driver installed, click Install Service.
•	If your system already has the Sentinel driver installed, click Quit.

4Click Finish to exit the DVD Producer installer.

5After installing DVD Producer, you are prompted to install Ravisent’s CinePlayer DVD. You must install this software to be able to use MPEG-2 video streams.

6Follow the on-screen instructions.

7Click Finish to exit CinePlayer DVD Installer.

8 Eject the DVD Producer Installation disc, then do one of the following:

•For SD-1000 systems, shut down your computer and proceed to “Step 2: Installing the SD-1000 Encoder” on page 9.

•For authoring-only systems, restart your computer and proceed to “Registering DVD Producer (Authoring-Only Systems)” on page 19.

Step 2: Installing the SD-1000 Encoder

9

Step 2: Installing the SD - 1000 Encoder

To install the encoder:

1After shutting down, power off your computer and disconnect the power cord.

2Put on the static protection wristband and attach the wire to a grounded terminal.

3Open your computer (following the manufacturer’s instructions) and locate the PCI expansion slots. Look for an empty slot.

4Remove the slot cover screw and slot cover if necessary.

5Remove the SD-1000 Encoder from its static-proof bag. Handle the card by its edges; don’t touch the gold connectors or on-board components.

6Align the card’s connector fingers with the PCI slot and press down until the card is seated properly.

PCI slots

10 Chapter 2, Installing DVD Producer

At this point you should make a note of the Encoder card’s serial number, which is located on the connector at the top edge of the card.

Serial number

You’ll need this number when you launch DVD Producer the first time (see “Registering and Configuring DVD Producer (SD-1000 Systems)” on page 17).You may also be asked for this number when contacting Sonic Customer Support.

7 Replace the slot cover screw to hold the card in place, then close up the computer.

8Reconnect the computer’s power cord.This ensures that the computer is grounded and thus prevents damage from differing ground potentials or stray electrostatic charges.

Step 3: Connecting the Stereo Audio I/O to the Computer 11

Step 3: Connecting the Stereo Audio I/O to the Computer

You use the breakout cable to connect the Stereo Audio I/O to the Encoder.

To connect the Stereo Audio I/O:

1Make sure that both the Stereo Audio I/O and the computer are plugged into a grounded power supply and powered off.

2Connect the micro 68 DIN connector to the SD-1000 Encoder.

12 Chapter 2, Installing DVD Producer

3Connect the SCSI-3 connector on the breakout cable to the Sonic I/O socket on the back panel of the Stereo Audio I/O.

Step 4: Connecting Peripheral Devices 13

Step 4: Connecting Peripheral Devices

Video Connections

The SD-1000 Encoder has two BNC sockets for connecting a videotape deck and an external monitor.The breakout cable provides an XLR connector and a 9-pin RS 422 connector for timecode and machine control.

Video input

Video output

Timecode/machine control connectors

•Use a BNC-to-BNC video cable to connect the videotape deck’s SDI output to the SD1000 Encoder’s SDI In. If the deck provides only analog outputs, use an analog-to-digital converter to convert the signal.

14Chapter 2, Installing DVD Producer

•Use a BNC-to-BNC video cable to connect the SD-1000 Encoder’s SDI Out to an external video monitor’s SDI input. If the monitor accepts only analog inputs, use a digital-to- analog converter to convert the signal.

You can use either the female XLR or the RS-422 connector for timecode and machine control.The XLR (longitudinal timecode) connection gives the most accurate timecode.

•Connect the female XLR on the breakout cable to the videotape deck’s timecode output. You can use an adapter if the deck provides a different connector, such as BNC.

•Connect the 9-pin RS 422 connector on the breakout cable to the videotape deck’s RS

422 In/Remote 9P input.

Audio Connections

The Stereo Audio I/O provides both digital and analog connections to the videotape deck

and audio monitoring systems:

S/PDIF

Analog input level

digital output

Analog

Analog

output

input

AES digital

Analog

input

output level

Step 4: Connecting Peripheral Devices 15

Inputs

•If your videotape deck has an AES/EBU digital audio output, connect it to AES In on the Stereo Audio I/O using a digital-grade XLR cable.

•If the deck provides only analog audio outputs, connect them to Analog In on the Stereo Audio I/O using either balanced or unbalanced XLR cables (pin 2 hot).The maximum input level is +25 dBu.

•If you use the analog inputs, set the Input Level control on the Stereo Audio I/O according to the videotape deck’s nominal output level. For +4 dBu (professional equipment), turn the control fully clockwise; for –10 dBv (consumer equipment), turn the control fully counter-clockwise.

Outputs

•If you have a Dolby Digital decoder or a digital-to-analog converter, you can connect it to S/PDIF Out using a digital-grade RCA-to-RCA cable.

•You can connect an analog audio monitoring system to Analog Out on the Stereo Audio I/O using either balanced or unbalanced XLR cables (pin 2 hot).The maximum output level is +25 dBu.

•If you use the analog outputs, set the Output Level control on the Stereo Audio I/O according to your audio system’s requirements. For a +4 dBu nominal output level (professional equipment), turn the control fully clockwise; for –10 dBv (consumer equipment), turn the control fully counter-clockwise.

16 Chapter 2, Installing DVD Producer

Stereo Audio I/O front panel

The LEDs on the Stereo Audio I/O front panel indicate the analog audio levels and the digital input status:

Audio Levels

Audio Lock

Adjusting the Analog Input Levels

The Audio Level LEDs indicate the transient input and output levels. If the 0 dB (red) indicators light, it means clipping may occur; adjust the Input Level or Output Level control on the back panel (turn the control counter-clockwise) to reduce the level and prevent distortion.

Checking the Digital Input Status

The Audio Lock LED indicates the digital audio input status:

Unlit No digital input signal detected.

Yellow Digital input signal is present.

Green Stereo Audio I/O is locked to the digital input signal clock.

Note: If you are using the analog inputs, the Audio Lock LED does not light.

Step 5: Launching DVD Producer the First Time 17

Step 5: Launching DVD Producer the First Time

Registering and Configuring DVD Producer (SD-1000 Systems)

After installing the encoding hardware, you must restart the computer and then launch and

configure DVD Producer.

To launch DVD Producer the first time:

1Power on the Stereo Audio I/O and any other peripheral devices.

2Restart or power up your computer.

The first time you restart after installing the SD-1000 Encoder card, the Windows Hardware Installation wizard launches to install the Encoder driver. Follow the on-screen instructions to find and install the required driver.

3From the Windows Start menu, choose Programs > DVD Producer > DVD Producer.The

Register DVD Producer screen appears.

4If you don’t have an Activator Code, or don’t have the SD-1000 Encoder card installed, you can click “Run in Trial Mode” to run DVD Producer in trial mode. In trial mode you

can’t save projects or write DVDs; in addition, encodes are limited to two minutes.

– or –

5Click Register Now.The Register dialog opens (if the SD-1000 Encoder card is installed, your serial number appears in this screen). Enter the Activator Code included with your DVD Producer package, then click OK.

•If the Activator Code was entered correctly, DVD Producer opens.

•If the Activator Code was entered incorrectly, you can try again. If you don’t have an Activator Code (or don’t have the correct one), click the Web link in the Register dialog to retrieve one online, or contact Sonic Customer Support.

Note: You don’t have to register DVD Producer the first time you launch it. If for some reason you don’t have the SD-1000 Encoder card installed, or don’t have an Activator Code, you can run the program in trial mode and later register by choosing Help > Register.

18 Chapter 2, Installing DVD Producer

After registering DVD Producer, you are ready to configure the encoding hardware.

To configure the encoding hardware in DVD Producer:

1Choose File > Encode > Hardware Setup or press Control+H.The AV Setup window opens.

2 Configure the settings based on your hardware setup:

•Set the Video Clock to External if a video source is connected to the SD-1000 Encoder’s SDI In connector. Select Internal if no video source is connected.

•Set the Video Standard to NTSC or PAL, depending on the video deck’s video format.

•Set the Audio Input to either Analog or Digital.

•Set Dolby Digital Encoding to External if you have a Dolby Digital decoder connected to the Stereo Audio I/O’s S/PDIF output. Otherwise, select Internal.

•From the Machine Control menu, select your video deck. If your deck is not listed, select Auto. If no deck is connected, select None.

Step 5: Launching DVD Producer the First Time 19

•Set Time Code In to 9-Pin if the video deck does not provide a timecode output connection If the deck provides a timecode output connection, select either 9-Pin or LTC, depending on the type of timecode you want. LTC (longitudinal timecode) is more accurate

•If using NTSC, set the Time Code Format to 29.97 DF for drop-frame video or 29.97 NDF for non-drop-frame video (depending on the individual videotape).

3 Click OK to save the new settings.

Registering DVD Producer (Authoring-Only Systems)

To launch DVD Producer the first time:

1Attach the SuperPro dongle to any available USB port on your computer.Windows scans for the device and activates the installed dongle driver.

2From the Windows Start menu, choose Programs > DVD Producer > DVD Producer.The Register DVD Producer screen appears.

3If you don’t have an Activator Code, or don’t have the SuperPro dongle installed, you can click “Run in Trial Mode” to run DVD Producer in trial mode. In trial mode you can’t save projects or write DVDs; in addition, encodes are limited to two minutes.

– or –

4Click Register Now.The Register dialog opens (if the SuperPro dongle is installed, your serial number appears in this screen). Enter the Activator Code included with your DVD Producer package, then click OK.

•If the Activator Code was entered correctly, DVD Producer opens.

•If the Activator Code was entered incorrectly, you can try again. If you don’t have an Activator Code (or don’t have the correct one), click the Web link in the Register dialog to retrieve one online, or contact Sonic Customer Support.

Note: You don’t have to register DVD Producer the first time you launch it. If for some reason you don’t have your dongle or Activator Code, you can run the program in trial mode and later register by choosing Help > Register.

20 Chapter 2, Installing DVD Producer

Removing DVD Producer

If you need to uninstall DVD Producer, you can use the Windows Add/Remove Programs

control panel.

To uninstall DVD Producer:

1From the Windows Start menu, choose Settings > Control Panel.The Control Panel window opens.

2Double-click the Add/Remove Programs icon.

3Select DVD Producer and click Change/Remove.

4Follow the on-screen instructions.

Note: The uninstaller removes only the DVD Producer application files. It does not delete any imported files, project files, or DVD builds in the DVD Producer folder.You can delete these files using Windows Explorer.

3 Planning the Project

There are several aspects you must consider when beginning a DVD project. Some of these affect how you prepare the media files you will use in the project, others control your choice of output media and therefore the maximum size of the project.This chapter includes:

•DVD Producer overview

•What is a DVD project?

•Calculating bit rates

•Creating, saving, and opening projects

DVD Producer Overview

DVD Producer is an all-in-one tool for DVD premastering. It combines:

•Encoding, for creating “DVD-legal” video and audio files

•Authoring, for assembling media files into a DVD-Video presentation

•Formatting, for multiplexing the individual media files into DVD streams and writing those streams to a variety of media

22 Chapter 3, Planning the Project

What is DVD Premastering?

Premastering is the process of taking media files (video, audio, and graphics) and turning them into the final DVD disc, or into a DVD master that will be sent to a replication plant. This process can be broken down into the following key steps:

•Project planning (this chapter)

•Preparing video, audio, and graphics:

–Chapter 4,“Preparing Media Files”

–Chapter 5,“Encoding Video and Audio”

–Chapter 6,“Getting Media Files into DVD Producer”

•Authoring the project:

–Chapter 7,“Building the Project Structure”

–Chapter 8,“Working with Menus”

–Chapter 9,“Working with Movies”

•Testing the project to ensure that it works as you expect:

–Chapter 10,“Proofing the DVD Project”

•Building the final output:

–Chapter 11,“Creating DVDs”

DVD Producer Overview 23

What Does DVD Producer Output?

DVD Producer lets you create three kinds of DVD: DVD-ROM, DVD-Video, and “Hybrid” DVD.The type of DVD you create affects the amount of space available and therefore the project length.

DVD-ROM

This is the “base” from which all other formats (including DVD-Video) derive.The DVD-ROM format defines the physical and logical characteristics of the DVD disc; basically, every disc is a DVD-ROM and contains computer-readable files.The format imposes constraints on the file structure and file names so that the discs can be used with all computer operating systems.

All the data on the DVD-ROM are contained in a DVD Volume, which fills one side of the disc.A DVD Producer project is equivalent to a DVD Volume.

In DVD Producer, you can create a data-only DVD-ROM by selecting a single folder; all files and folders within that folder will then be placed on the DVD-ROM.

DVD-Video

This is a video presentation that plays in a set-top DVD player or on a computer with a software DVD player.The DVD-Video standard specifies where the DVD-Video files must be located physically on the disc so that set-top players can recognize and play the disc. On a computer, the DVD-Video section of the disc is represented by a folder named “VIDEO_TS”.

24 Chapter 3, Planning the Project

Viewers use a remote control to navigate through the DVD-Video content. Every remote

control should include the standard set of buttons:

Title button

Arrow keys

Previous/

Rewind

Pause

Play

Subtitles

on/off

Select subtitle stream

Menu button

Enter button

Next/

Fast forward

Stop

Skip to End Action

Select video angle

Select audio stream

Numeric Keypad