I have a higher respect for all of you who make the custom sets - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

gilligan fanatic · 05-22-2006, 08:58 PM

Damn it takes a long time to make-lol

I just finished doing a Let's Bowl set for Lamont and it takes for ever. I was just going to do it on the DVDr it's self but I decided to throw it on my computer and fix it up a little bit. The end results look fine but I can't imagine doing it for hour long shows or long running shows. The Let's Bowl one I made took me all weekend and it only had 6 episodes. I am not using an expensive software to make these but I think the menus add a nice effect to the DVD's. I just finished the first of 4 disks of the Bob Clampett Show. I think this will be the last custom set I made-lol

y2k3Joker · 05-22-2006, 09:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gilligan fanatic

Damn it takes a long time to make-lol

I just finished doing a Let's Bowl set for Lamont and it takes for ever. I was just going to do it on the DVDr it's self but I decided to throw it on my computer and fix it up a little bit. The end results look fine but I can't imagine doing it for hour long shows or long running shows. The Let's Bowl one I made took me all weekend and it only had 6 episodes. I am not using an expensive software to make these but I think the menus add a nice effect to the DVD's. I just finished the first of 4 disks of the Bob Clampett Show. I think this will be the last custom set I made-lol

Yes

Nobody understands the work involved until they actually sit down and do a series themselves -

capturing
editing
creating menus
and then re-authoring a set

The worst is when you see somebody else get CREDIT for a set you invested hundreds of hours putting together.

RedWhine56 · 05-22-2006, 10:10 PM

Your menus look great, to me! Yes, it requires alot of time to do sets with very many episodes. When I make custom DVDs, I often use a screen cap for the background on the menu, but normally use text for the episodes (it's faster.) Plus, I let the software make chapters (so you can skip ahead & not have to use fast forward) but I don't include chapter menus. I just don't have the time nor the patience for it. About a year ago, I had aspirations of making a Forensic Files set, once I got all the sequential episodes. But since I have over 200 episodes, now the thought simply makes me very tired.

mj3b · 05-22-2006, 10:34 PM

i have never made a custom set and hopefully with all the good work every one here does i will never have to. Thanks for being so great every one.

masterblooregard · 05-23-2006, 12:10 AM

Such talent. Such talent you people have. If I could, I'd steal it.

The most I can do when making sets are those default menus the DVD recorders allow me

(but the Toshiba ones don't really end up looking half bad)

savageamusement · 05-23-2006, 02:16 PM

I am also still learning how to use many programs and it is exhastuing
not to mention frustration.
I dropped quite a bit of cash on several programs only to find out they don't do what I wish.

More programs ocme out every day, each with something new/different.

It's all a learning process- and a lot of wasted time to get there-

But then again, when I think about how I started with vhs- originally just hitting record.
And then learning to label-then I learned to edit out commericals-
then I made better labels-
Then I learned to put things in order-

And then when I had awesome vhs sets-
DVD came out.

I am sure by the time I get all my vhs to dvd
and everthing with stunning menues- a new format will come out.

I'm going to go cry now.

gilligan fanatic · 05-23-2006, 05:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by savageamusement

I am also still learning how to use many programs and it is exhastuing
not to mention frustration.
I dropped quite a bit of cash on several programs only to find out they don't do what I wish.

More programs ocme out every day, each with something new/different.

It's all a learning process- and a lot of wasted time to get there-

But then again, when I think about how I started with vhs- originally just hitting record.
And then learning to label-then I learned to edit out commericals-
then I made better labels-
Then I learned to put things in order-

And then when I had awesome vhs sets-
DVD came out.

I am sure by the time I get all my vhs to dvd
and everthing with stunning menues- a new format will come out.

I'm going to go cry now.

I haven't figured out how to make the sets on the DVDR yet that is why I did it on my computer. Like you said as soon as we all figure it out new technology is here.

BTW Joker I never mentioned it but your Smart Guys set looks so professional

wheezer210 · 05-23-2006, 06:27 PM

If any of you have any questions please ask. Those of us that do custom sets from the menu artwork to the editing, to the enhancement know generally what works and what does not. Please let us help you because when we do help others we know that WE ALL will benefit. Granted there is a little bit of a personal touch that goes into each set by the creator, but there are certain guidelines that everyone must abide by or sets can turn out to be crap.

RedWhine56 · 05-23-2006, 06:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by savageamusement

I dropped quite a bit of cash on several programs only to find out they don't do what I wish.

Me too. In my case, I downloaded a few trial programs including the non-lite version of Nero & DVD Lab. As a newbie, Nero is MUCH easier (and you hear so many good things about it) & DVD Lab was very intimidating. But soon after PAYING for Nero, I outgrew it & ended up getting DVD Lab, too. (The pro version.) I must say, that after overcoming the intimidation factor, DVD Lab allows MUCH more flexibility than Nero. The only thing I use Nero for now, is if I need to convert PAL to NTSC or if DVD Lab has problems with a file. But then I (normally) end up ripping the Nero output & putting it back into DVD Lab for the final product. So I guess the Nero purchase wasn't entirely wasted.

sugar ray · 05-24-2006, 12:09 AM

being a wedding videographer by trade im partial to Adobe Encore myself. it allows you to design some pretty slick motion menus. However, it can be very intimidating when you first open the program. Adobe programs are near the top of the list when it comes to software, but it takes serious time to learn and digest.

Nero is absolutely perfect for a new comer or someone desigining their first set.

YES you have to have a respect for the ones that take the time to design their own sets. it truly is endless hours of computer time to assemble a set from scratch.

ive done 2 DIFFERENT sets of coach now. the first set seems to be floating all around traders lists. which is kind of cool in my mind! alot of hard work has ended up in the hands of alot of fellow traders and fans. i wasn't 100% happy with the first set even though it turned out pretty good, so i re-captured and started from scratch. this time episodes in proper order and loaded with lots of motion menus. menu assembly took a rediculious amount of time but the end result was very rewarding!

its a hobby guys and as joker pointed out it can be sick when someone else takes full credit for your hard work. most traders don'T care where a set came from. so whats so hard about being honest in the trade by stating "this dvd set is not my hard woirk but its beautiful none the less!" i've never ran into a trader that would back out of a trade just because you weren't the one who authored the set.

anyways..........giligan fan

those menus look great, especialy for a first timer! don't give up! you just gotta find another set to create that equaly interests you as "let's bowl"

keep up the good work

savageamusement · 05-24-2006, 12:13 AM

[QUOTE=RedWhine56]. But soon after PAYING for Nero, I outgrew it & ended up getting DVD Lab, too. (The pro version.) I must say, that after overcoming the intimidation factor, DVD Lab allows MUCH more flexibility than Nero. The only thing I use Nero for now, is if I need to convert PAL to NTSC or if DVD Lab has problems with a file.

Oooh now that I need to know more about---
Red, how easy or rather how time consuming was the PAL to NTSC?

I am doing that right now matter of fact

Details please

gilligan fanatic · 05-24-2006, 10:55 AM

thanks Sugar Ray. Yours look so amazing. I think I might need to upgrade my software. I am just using WinDVDCreator.

RedWhine56 · 05-24-2006, 02:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by savageamusement

Oooh now that I need to know more about---
Red, how easy or rather how time consuming was the PAL to NTSC?

I am doing that right now matter of fact

Details please

IIRC, you have a newer version of Nero than I do. I have version 6 & as long as you specify the output as NTSC, if you load in a PAL file, it converts it automatically. Totally invisible to the user. The result (IMO) was very good, too. I haven't used Nero that much to know if this takes longer than normal, but I'd guess it would. (I tend to run it overnight or while I'm off doing something else for a few hours.)

moreclueless · 05-26-2006, 10:15 AM

I just completed my 10 disc greys anatomy set. it did take a long time, i thought i would do 3 shows per dvd for better quality, then i decided to make a different background menu image for each dvd with a photo from one of those episodes, even did the two clips show. i used the new roxio 8 "My dvd"
It works nice, I did the same for Survivor Palau and now am doing all of my 2005-2006 shows this way, it can take up to a week, i always have to watch them again before i trade them to make sure there are no flaws.

05-22-2006, 08:58 PM	#1
gilligan fanatic Born to Be Bad Forum Fanatic Join Date: May 06, 2001 Location: down by the Lagoon Posts: 9,954	I have a higher respect for all of you who make the custom sets Damn it takes a long time to make-lol I just finished doing a Let's Bowl set for Lamont and it takes for ever. I was just going to do it on the DVDr it's self but I decided to throw it on my computer and fix it up a little bit. The end results look fine but I can't imagine doing it for hour long shows or long running shows. The Let's Bowl one I made took me all weekend and it only had 6 episodes. I am not using an expensive software to make these but I think the menus add a nice effect to the DVD's. I just finished the first of 4 disks of the Bob Clampett Show. I think this will be the last custom set I made-lol Attached Images
	__________________ Matt Filmaf ~ Twitter ~ Last.FM

05-22-2006, 10:10 PM	#3
RedWhine56 Sleigh? What sleigh? Forum Regular Join Date: Aug 03, 2005 Location: In the "Secret Room" with the cronies! Posts: 756	Your menus look great, to me! Yes, it requires alot of time to do sets with very many episodes. When I make custom DVDs, I often use a screen cap for the background on the menu, but normally use text for the episodes (it's faster.) Plus, I let the software make chapters (so you can skip ahead & not have to use fast forward) but I don't include chapter menus. I just don't have the time nor the patience for it. About a year ago, I had aspirations of making a Forensic Files set, once I got all the sequential episodes. But since I have over 200 episodes, now the thought simply makes me very tired.
	__________________ Off to Never, Never Land... ...Metallica

05-23-2006, 02:16 PM	#6
savageamusement Cutest Couch Potato Senior Member Join Date: Oct 21, 2003 Posts: 2,103	Whimper I am also still learning how to use many programs and it is exhastuing not to mention frustration. I dropped quite a bit of cash on several programs only to find out they don't do what I wish. More programs ocme out every day, each with something new/different. It's all a learning process- and a lot of wasted time to get there- But then again, when I think about how I started with vhs- originally just hitting record. And then learning to label-then I learned to edit out commericals- then I made better labels- Then I learned to put things in order- And then when I had awesome vhs sets- DVD came out. I am sure by the time I get all my vhs to dvd and everthing with stunning menues- a new format will come out. I'm going to go cry now.
	__________________ WWW.SavageTraders.org To avoid channel surfing Wipeouts!

05-24-2006, 12:09 AM	#10
sugar ray Member Frequent Poster Join Date: Feb 02, 2004 Location: Canada Posts: 133	being a wedding videographer by trade im partial to Adobe Encore myself. it allows you to design some pretty slick motion menus. However, it can be very intimidating when you first open the program. Adobe programs are near the top of the list when it comes to software, but it takes serious time to learn and digest. Nero is absolutely perfect for a new comer or someone desigining their first set. YES you have to have a respect for the ones that take the time to design their own sets. it truly is endless hours of computer time to assemble a set from scratch. ive done 2 DIFFERENT sets of coach now. the first set seems to be floating all around traders lists. which is kind of cool in my mind! alot of hard work has ended up in the hands of alot of fellow traders and fans. i wasn't 100% happy with the first set even though it turned out pretty good, so i re-captured and started from scratch. this time episodes in proper order and loaded with lots of motion menus. menu assembly took a rediculious amount of time but the end result was very rewarding! its a hobby guys and as joker pointed out it can be sick when someone else takes full credit for your hard work. most traders don'T care where a set came from. so whats so hard about being honest in the trade by stating "this dvd set is not my hard woirk but its beautiful none the less!" i've never ran into a trader that would back out of a trade just because you weren't the one who authored the set. anyways..........giligan fan those menus look great, especialy for a first timer! don't give up! you just gotta find another set to create that equaly interests you as "let's bowl" keep up the good work Attached Images

05-24-2006, 12:13 AM	#11
savageamusement Cutest Couch Potato Senior Member Join Date: Oct 21, 2003 Posts: 2,103	Ooh [QUOTE=RedWhine56]. But soon after PAYING for Nero, I outgrew it & ended up getting DVD Lab, too. (The pro version.) I must say, that after overcoming the intimidation factor, DVD Lab allows MUCH more flexibility than Nero. The only thing I use Nero for now, is if I need to convert PAL to NTSC or if DVD Lab has problems with a file. Oooh now that I need to know more about--- Red, how easy or rather how time consuming was the PAL to NTSC? I am doing that right now matter of fact Details please

05-22-2006, 10:34 PM	#4
mj3b Member Occasional Poster Join Date: Feb 16, 2004 Location: Bayonne, NJ Posts: 95	i have never made a custom set and hopefully with all the good work every one here does i will never have to. Thanks for being so great every one.

05-23-2006, 12:10 AM	#5
masterblooregard Member Frequent Poster Join Date: Mar 24, 2006 Location: michigan, usa Posts: 222	Such talent. Such talent you people have. If I could, I'd steal it. The most I can do when making sets are those default menus the DVD recorders allow me (but the Toshiba ones don't really end up looking half bad)

05-23-2006, 06:27 PM	#8
wheezer210 Member Frequent Poster Join Date: Apr 03, 2004 Posts: 115	If any of you have any questions please ask. Those of us that do custom sets from the menu artwork to the editing, to the enhancement know generally what works and what does not. Please let us help you because when we do help others we know that WE ALL will benefit. Granted there is a little bit of a personal touch that goes into each set by the creator, but there are certain guidelines that everyone must abide by or sets can turn out to be crap.

05-24-2006, 10:55 AM	#12
gilligan fanatic Born to Be Bad Forum Fanatic Join Date: May 06, 2001 Location: down by the Lagoon Posts: 9,954	thanks Sugar Ray. Yours look so amazing. I think I might need to upgrade my software. I am just using WinDVDCreator.

05-26-2006, 10:15 AM	#14
moreclueless Member Occasional Poster Join Date: May 13, 2006 Location: Calif Posts: 47	I just completed my 10 disc greys anatomy set. it did take a long time, i thought i would do 3 shows per dvd for better quality, then i decided to make a different background menu image for each dvd with a photo from one of those episodes, even did the two clips show. i used the new roxio 8 "My dvd" It works nice, I did the same for Survivor Palau and now am doing all of my 2005-2006 shows this way, it can take up to a week, i always have to watch them again before i trade them to make sure there are no flaws.