HD DVD Workflow

As we saw in the Introduction, an Advanced Content HD DVD contains EVOB files in the HVDVD_TS folder, but unlike standard definition VOB files, these don't contain chapters, buttons, or subtitles or commands. Instead, all interactivity is determined by files in the ADV_OBJ folder.

These files are mostly XML and Javascript ( technically ECMAScript) in a particular format, which refers back to the EVOBs. So, you can define chapter points by simply adding timecodes to a list - in Textedit, if you like ! And, you could write an interactive menu which pops up over the top of your video, then decide to use a different piece of video simply by changing the name of the EVOB that the script refers to. You can even write simple games to play over the top of the video, if you like - all in Textedit... ( In reality using an XML editor like Microsoft Visual Web Developer makes much more sense ! )

However, you need Advanced Content EVOBs to make all this work. At present this means you need either Scenarist, or muxing tools from Memory-Tech or Toshiba. In Europe at least it looks as if the plants are gearing up with the necessary tools, though, which means HD DVD authoring is still a possibility:

• Encode HD Assets
• QC your asset encodes by burning Standard Content discs
• Send them off to the plant or a suitable facility for muxing into Advanced Content EVOBs
• Create HDi Advanced interactivity using the Microsoft Jumpstart or DoStudio
• Write the final disc image using HDAfterEdit, or send it to the plant for final mux/format
• Test the check discs...

There is a great summary of HD DVD Advanced Content workflow on the NetBlender site ( although it doesn't mention HDAE yet ) here:

http://www.dvd1one.net/network/content/knowledgebase/workflow.asp