|
|
|
 |
 |
| |
How to Design DVD Menus Like a Pro: Part 1, Computer Graphics to Video
You have created a brilliant video. You have utilized a insightful combination of images, graphics, and sound to truly convey your message to the public. Now it would be nice if they could see it. Out of the many ways to distribute your video, maybe you have chosen DVD. Full Resolution video and nonlinear interactivity make DVD-video a wonderful distribution choice.
If it is executed properly, that is.
One of the major issues with creating graphics for DVD menus, much like creating graphics for within your video, is that they will be translated to NTSC video. This translation is the biggest problem I see when reviewing amateur DVD menus.
The most confusing issue is pixel size. Computer monitors use square pixels. Television monitors, on the other hand, use rectangular pixels. If not handled properly, your final menu may become distorted. You should start with a 720x540 size to design your menu images and then resample the menu to 720x480 when you are ready to take your final product to DVD.
Photoshop Tip: Photoshop CS has a rectangular pixel setting in the pixel aspect ratio selection on the Image pull-down menu. Use this setting and you can keep your size at 720x480.
Another issue arises from safe title. I am sure we all know that, unlike computer applications, video displays cut off a percentage of the edge of the screen. Menu text should always be at lease 10 percent from the edge, all critical elements should be at lease 5 percent from the edge, and the background should extend all the way to the edge. This assures nothing will be cut off when viewed on all television monitors.
Photoshop Tip: When you create a new file in Photoshop CS, you can choose the "NTSC DV with guides" setting. This will provide you with the action safe and title safe guides.
Interlacing can also create problems. Because a video image uses two interlaced fields to create one frame, a distinctive "jittering" effect can be created by using extremely thin horizontal colors. This is particularly important when choosing your text. As a rule, be sure that the horizontal bars in your text are more than one pixel tall. Also, watch the contrast between your text color and the background. "Jittering" or "crawling" can also be limited if you keep your highly saturated reds and blues to a minimum.
Photoshop Tip: Photoshop CS has a video filter called NTSC colors. Use this to limit the saturation on you reds and blues.
By keeping these few things in mind, you should now be able to translate your vision from the computer screen to the television screen and look like a pro while doing it.
Kirk Peters is a Pittsburgh based multimedia programmer. He has had more than ten years experience developing multimedia applications for hundreds of local companies. He can be reached at 412-716-6585 or at kirk@kirkpeters.com.
|
|
|
|
|
 |
|
 |
|
|
