I know this is one of those topics that is posted about ALL THE TIME... but I feel like I'm missing something!

I am working on MC5 on a Mac.  I want a simple way to create DVDs that have chapter markers where I have added locators to my sequence.  I prefer using Toast or iDVD as their simple drag-and-drop interface is great for those "we need to get this disc out NOW!" moments- DVD studio pro is a bit clunky and I am trying to avoid it if possible.

The problem is Toast and iDVD only seem to let you add Chapter Markers based on time intervals (every minute, every two minutes, etc)- unless you have a Text Track in your QT that is assigned to be your chapter track.  Ive checked out Apples tutorials for adding this text track in QT Pro, and it's certainly doable... but its time-consuming and again, clunky- even when I am starting with the .txt file of my exported locators.  Other options I checked out for adding this Text/Chapter track were using Garage Band (?!) and Hootenany.  All of these have worked, but there is a LOT of tedious typing involved and I am just looking for a faster/easier way.

I have read a lot about Avid DVD and I am interested in exploring that.  As I mentioned I am on a Mac, but am thinking about bringing a PC onto the Unity just to serve as a DVD output station.  So I ask you, users of Avid DVD- does it sound like what I need?  Will I be able to select a sequence and easily send it over to Avid DVD, along with any locators or chapter information I will add to the Meta Track?  Do you find it to be a simple drag-and-drop like Toast or do you have to do a lot of button mapping, as in DVDSP?

Thanks!!

 

Will I be able to select a sequence and easily send it over to Avid DVD, along with any locators or chapter information I will add to the Meta Track? 

Yes, and also very easy to use

I would definitely go the DVD Studio Pro route. It isn't clunky, really, if you take the time to know your way around. For example, for quick DVDs I always set up a template project for every show I start, so the menu and everything is all taken care of and all I have to do is import the video and audio, throw it into a track with chapter markers if i need them, and then burn it to disc.

More to the point of your question, though, is a tool I created to help me do exactly what you want: get locators out of MC and onto a DVD track, but only in DVD Studio Pro. Check it out, I hope it helps make your DVDSP workflow faster:

- Here's the online tool: http://www.evanschiff.com/bd/articles/avid-locators-to-fcs-chapters

- And here's a more detailed explanation of how it works: http://www.evanschiff.com/bd/articles/converting-avid-locators-to-dvd-studio-pro-chapter-markers

 

Best,

--Evan

mjolnarn:

Will I be able to select a sequence and easily send it over to Avid DVD, along with any locators or chapter information I will add to the Meta Track? 

Yes, and also very easy to use

And how exactly?

 

It´s all into the manual for Avid Dvd ( F1 ) somewhere into the end if I remember correct

Ok, at my station now, copied and pasted below

Preparing a finished sequence

This procedure assumes that the MetaSync Manager and Publisher are installed on your computer. If they are not installed, launch the installer, select Install Individual Products, and then select Install Avid MetaSync Manager and Publisher.

To prepare a sequence:

1.

Select your finished sequence in the Avid editor.

2.

Choose Clip > New Meta Track. A new MetaSync track is added to the sequence.

3.

Choose File > Import.

4.

Make sure Files of Type is set to MetaSync Files, and then navigate to the folder where the DVD Producer .aeo file is located. For example:

\Program Files\Avid\AvidEditing Application\Avid AEOs\Avid DVD Producer.aeo

5.

Select the DVD Producer aeo file.

The Chapter Button Reference Frame and the Chapter Mark files appear in the bin.

6.

Double-click the Chapter Mark file.

7.

Edit the enhancement into the Timeline by doing the following:

–

Mark IN and OUT points for your entire sequence in the Timeline, mark an IN point in the Chapter Mark in the Source monitor, and then either drag the Chapter Mark clip to the Meta track or click an edit button (Splice or Overwrite). Position the CTI on the frame where you want the second chapter to begin, and click the Add Edit button. Repeat, using the Add Edit button, for each chapter that you want to establish.

The default (maximum) duration of a clip is 4 hours. Dragging a clip without IN or OUT points creates a 4-hour clip in the Timeline. This length allows a Chapter Mark enhancement to be active for a longform production.

8.

(Optional) Add Reference frames by scrubbing the Timeline indicator to the desired frame and Alt+double-clicking the Chapter Button Reference Frame enhancement clip in the bin.

A marker is added to the chapter span indicating that it will use this frame as the Chapter button in Avid DVD by Sonic.

Unfortunately this user is working on a Mac so Avid DVD is out.

James@Seamless:

Unfortunately this user is working on a Mac so Avid DVD is out.

Well, I thought of letting the user talk for himself, maybe he, like myself, has more than one sys ?

edited..  pasted from the Op:s first post

As I mentioned I am on a Mac, but am thinking about bringing a PC onto the Unity just to serve as a DVD output station.