How to change background in HD template?

[rrwwis]

I want to change background in an HD menu template. I have tried several of the HD templates including one that I downloaded from your site. When I drag in a 1440 x 1080 background image, it only accepts a portion of the image. It seems to be functioning as an SD template even though it is labeled as an HD template. When I burn the project, Iget a low resolution background in the menu with only a portion of the background image, the same as shown during menu Preview. What am I doing wrong?

[Bobby]

Is the project preset HD?

[Chuck Engels]

Yes, a little more detail would sure be a huge help here

[rrwwis]

Yes, I have used the HD preset. I am using PE4. What more detail do you need?

[Chuck Engels]

Have you tried editing the template in Photohsop Elements?

[rrwwis]

I tried using Photoshop. I made a copy of your generic text template and loaded it into Photoshop. I then loaded the desired 1920 x 1080 background image into PS and using the Move tool dragged it onto the template creating a new layer directly above the original background layer. Then did Control T so I could position the new background layer. Then did a File/Save with transform. I created the desired menu in PE4 with the new template and it looked perfect and functioned properly with the Preview. So I thought I had it made! However, when I go to save the Premier Elements project, the program crashes with a RunTime error. Any suggestions?? Also, I am still wondering why I can't simply change the template background with the menu option given in Premier Elements which gets back to my original question.

[Steve Grisetti]

Which template are you using and which Muvipix background are you trying to swap in, rw? I'll see if I can duplicate your issue.

Meantime, can we assume you've got the latest Quicktime and all of the latest Windows Updates and that you have the hardware and free drive space to support hi-def editing?

[rrwwis]

I have tried changing the background of several of the HD labeled templates and the Muvipix Generic Text template within Premiere Elements. They all result in a standard definition menu.

As explained before, I tried to insert the desired new background in Photoshop. That works fine except the Premiere Elements crashes when I go to Save the project or burn a disk. I get a Microsoft Visual C++Runtime Error "The application has requested the Runtime to terminate it in an unusual way" I presume that this is being caused by my modified menu template. I have never had any problems like this before with PE4. It is quite stable.

My system has Intel quadcore processor 2.66GHz Nvidia 8800GTX video w. 768MB memory, 4MB Ram, 2 500GB hard drives and 1 750 GB hard drive all internal. Running under Vista w. Service pack 2. With all Windows updates.

[Steve Grisetti]

I just tried a hi-def project and template with two different hi-def backgrounds, and it seemed to work just fine with both.

Just to ensure we're talking about the same workflow, have you applied a template, clicked on the background and then clicked Browse to swap in a motion background?

Or am I misunderstanding what you're saying when you say it's SD rather than HD? The motion backgrounds I swapped in appeared complete. It didn't seem like I was only seeing a portion of them.

[Steve Grisetti]

Okay, now that I've had a chance to experiment, it appears you might be right! But it has to do with the function of the program.

Apparently, the way the Disc Menus workspace works, you MUST substitute a standard def background for even a hi-def menu. If you put a hi-def background it, in will be too big!

Can someone else confirm that? You must swap in a standard-def background for a BluRay menu template.

This appears to be so that both the standard DVD and hi-def BluRay menu templates can share the same motion backgrounds.

[Chuck Engels]

I think that there are actually limited DVD Menu templates for HDV projects, that could be the problem. I will have a look at the templates as soon as I get a chance. Could be that you have to select a particular DVD Menu Template for it to actually be HDV rather than SD. In that case I would understand why it would look bad when you play the disc on a TV.

[Steve Grisetti]

No, that's not the case, Chuck. This is definitely a hi-def project and a hi-def template.

But, if you try to swap in a hi-def motion background, it will be too large -- while a standard widescreen will fit perfectly!

[Chuck Engels]

Are you looking at v4 Steve?

[Chuck Engels]

What template is everyone using?
There are a number of templates that do not have HD size files, only SD.

Be sure to check the DVD Templates folder and see if your template has an HD equivalent.
C:\Program Files\Adobe\Adobe Premiere Elements 4.0\DVD Templates

[Chuck Engels]

Let me just say, this does not seem to be a problem in version 7 but is definitely a problem in version 4.