Enhanced interactivity in DVDs is accomplished by programming the DVD project to control the DVD player, using the navigation and presentation COMMANDS which are built into the DVD Specification (the rules that govern the functioning of every DVD player). When the DVD format was created, a powerful programming language was included in the format, to allow the non-linear interactivity that has become the hallmark of DVD Video projects.
Scripting in DVD Studio Pro allows you to easily program these DVD player functions using the SCRIPTING COMMANDS, in conjunction with VARIABLES available in DVD Studio Pro. The Scripting Language is NOT Java, or Jscript, or C++ or anything you may already be familiar with, but it is very reminiscent of the BASIC computer programming language (you know… “Let A-1; If A=1, then…”) In some ways it also resembles your high school algebra equations. In any event, the important factor is: it’s designed to make it EASY for you!
Each Script Item can contain up to about 128 scripting commands, but you will find most of your scripts will contain far fewer commands. The Script Editor included in DVD Studio Pro will actually create most of the “boiler-plate” text that you will use in each command. All you have to do is point, click and drag! The DVD Pro Club scripting references and the DVD Companion Online Reference will not only show you which command to use, but how these commands work, and how to combine them in ways that double or quadruple their effective power!
