The interface for DVD Architect Studio [5.0] may seem intimidating at first. .... But don't panic. Once you know where things are, you'll find it a remarkably intuitive workspace.--The Muvipix.com Guide to DVD Architect Studio 5.0 by SteveGrisetti
I have 3 slide shows, all of which I've shared to Personal Computer (to a HDD) from PRE7 as MPEG H.264 1920x1080 30 files. They together add up to nearly 30 minutes of BluRay-quality video. Here, once one has perused the appropriate sections of Steve's books, is how easy it is to burn a BluRay with a Title and 3-button Menu on a SD DVD.
1. In DVDAS5, go to File>New and on the resulting General tab click Menu Based; Disc format: Blu-ray Disc; Project Video Format: AVC 1920x1080-60i, 16:9; Project audio format: PCM (the only choice for Blu-ray); click OK
2. On the Toolbar, go to Insert>Media and then browse, one by one, to each of the H.264 files
3. In the Workspace panel, note the presence of the first image from each of your slide shows
4. On the Themes tab at the lower left, right-click on the desired combination of background and buttons and select Apply Theme–DVDAS5.0 instantly aligns one’s buttons (3 in my case); note that the title of each of the 3 H.264 files can be found below the button (if you do not see both the image and the title, right-click on each button and select Button Style>Text and Image)
5. To change the title below each button, left-click on each button and then click on the Edit Text button; select the desired font, txt style, paragraphing, etc
6. To change the image within the button, click on Button Properties>Thumbnail Properties>Start Time in the upper right Properties panel; click the drop down to reveal a scroll bar that can be used to advance to the next slide (or, enter the appropriate time)
7. In the Workspace panel, click on Menu 1 then Edit Text to give a title to the overall disc
8. Click File>Optimize Disc>Project Properties to verify that the Disc format is Blu-ray Disc and that the Target media size (GB) is 4.70 (if using a single-sided SD DVD); for maximum Blu-ray quality, check the lower left to verify that the bit rate is 18.000 and that the Estimated size is less than 4.700 GB (however, according to Steve’s book, quality will still be acceptable provided the Mbps does not drop below 9); click OK
8. On the Toolbar, click Preview>Preview Disc
9. If your disc plays flawlessly on the Preview, then on the Toolbar click Make Blu-ray Disc>Burn (this action will both burn a Disc AND create an .iso file that can be used in the future to rapidly burn as many actual discs as desired*
This [url]Burn Blu-ray to Folder[/url]capability alone, IMO, more than justifies the reasonable cost of the software together with its "missing manual" in the form of Steve's book.
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*Here are some of the additional actions one may easily perform with the software and book:
--personalize disc menus with custom graphics and backgrounds
--bring disc menus to life with animation and music
--include alternate takes, outtakes and bonus features
--add playlists, slideshows and compilations
--create custom button and highlights
