Hurin

Okey-doke. Here's a ZIP file with everything anyone should need to build upon (or replace) what we've already got there for a header. There is a PSD mock-up of the banner/header included that should allow anyone with Photoshop to move or remove any of the individual elements via layers. I included a readme.txt file covering everything included and some notes on how the header works with the template. Thanks for your interest guys! H

That's a limitation of the Joomla template. It needs it in three seperate images so that tab menus and modules can be fit over it. If it isn't done that way, all sorts of things break (and the appearance in IE and Firefox begin to diverge). It's not too big of a deal to just chop your work up into the required size once it's all done. Then the template grafts them together. Takes me a couple minutes now that I'm used to it. I'm working now on both a new logo/banner as well as a "blank" that you guys can use to do your own thing. Each element has its own Photoshop layer, so things can be removed and added at will (logo, valk, background space/clouds). Once it's done, I can chop it up appropriately if you don't want to bother doing it. Best, H

DT, I'm totally with you on preferring a VF-1 or even the Macross to a VF-0. That VF-0 was just easily cropped, feathered, and was of high quality. And I wanted to get the logo/banner up so I could get started on other things. I started screwing around with the SDF-1 in there, and then saw that you guys had used the same image for the new Main Menu header for MW. So, not wanting to be too cheesy, I went back to the VF-0. VF-1 or something else is coming soon, though. And there is the ability to choose your own skin, so those who like the VF-0 can have it too.

Doh! I thought I had feathered it enough. I sorta wanted to leave a little "glow" around it so it wouldn't completely submerge into the space background. I thought DT was referring to a distaste for the VF-0 design itself. H

Thanks guys. It'll only get better if everyone contributes content. As you can see, we have episode synopses for each anime. But we need character profiles and mecha profiles. So far, the only mecha profile we have is the VF-1. In the next day or two, I'll post some templates for mecha and character profiles that people can fill in and then upload to the "Profile Drafts" area for each entry. There are already instructions for uploading images (though the front-end for this will hopefully improve when we replace the buggy WYSIWYG editor when the new one is released later this week). Finally, we're hungry for feedback! Was it easy to navigate? For example, when browsing SDF Macross episodes, was it obvious that you needed to use the menu on the right rather than click in the center pane? That's the nature of Joomla, and I'm probably just paranoid. But sometimes I worry that people won't notice the menus dynamically changing on the right and instead stare at the largely empty central pane and then assume there's nowhere else to go. Again, up to this point, Mechamaniac and I have concentrated on creating the structure of the site. This took a lot of mind-numbing clicking via a web-based back-end to the databse. But it's now largely built. We hope soon to add some nice touches. Such as, when you click on Mecha & Spacecraft, then click Zentraedi, I'd like to have a Zentraedi emblem there in the center along with a brief overview of who/what the Zentraedi are and a bit of their history, meanwhile the menu expands on the right to give you access to their mecha and spacecraft entires. It's easy to do. But we're still a bit overwhelmed with last minute stuff and bugs in Joomla. So, these nice touches are hard to get to at the moment. Perhaps we launched a bit early. But after two months of effort, we felt we had enough to share. And, of course, because the idea is that the users themselves will provide the bulk of the content, it made sense to make it public so that everyone can start contributing! Best, H

I'm Hurin and I approve this message.

I don't have DVD-Lab Pro installed right now. But I think it's an option under the Compile Menu, or thereabouts. It'll say something about generating or compiling a DVD "image" file. H

1st thing I'd try: If you didn't already do it this way. . . Compile the DVD with DVD-Lab Pro (already done). Then, after compiling, use DVD-Lab Pro to generate an .IMG file of the compiled DVD. Then, you can use DVD Decrypter to burn your DVD from that IMG file. I've never had a problem doing it that way and I trust DVD Decrypter to burn the DVD more than a lot of other programs out there. 2nd thing I'd try: Different media brand. 3rd thing I'd try: Try DVD-R DL media (instead of +r). Let me know how it goes! H

If you're buying the SDF Macross (TV Series) DVDs, make sure you get the Animeigo ones for great english subtitles and restored picture quality. Or, you could buy the brand new ADV release of SDF Macross which takes the improved/restored image quality and great subtitles of the Animeigo release, and also adds the option of an english voice track (english dub) and 5.1 surround sound. The down-side to the new ADV release, however, is that some have reported that if you would rather watch it with original japanese track and english subtitles, the japanese track isn't as high-quality as the original Animeigo release's. If you get DYRL, try to get the "Perfect Edition" by "FX". . . and if you do, go to the link in my signature to upgrade the subtitles on it! Best, H

What's the model of your Sony DVD player? Does it have any stickers or other indications on the front regarding whether it can play DVD+R or DVD-R (or both)? Best, H

Sweet! Glad you got it working. Now I can stop wracking my brain for what could cause that! Odd that WinDVD hates the custom DVD though. I wonder if there's a patch for it. Personally, for DVD burning, I encode the DVD with DVD-Lab Pro. Then, I use DVD-Lab Pro to make a disc image file (IMG) of the Final DVD files. Then, I use DVD Decrypter to burn that IMG file to a dual-layer DVD. Seems to work perfectly. But, for table-top/home theater DVD playback purposes, I had to put some custom firmware on my NEC DVD burner so that it could burn Dual-Layer DVD+Rs with the "book type" setting changed to "DVD-ROM" instead of "+R." This fools computer and table-top DVD players into thinking the DVD is a "pressed" rather than "burned" DVD. My Panasonic DVD player is picky and would only play DVD-Rs. But the "book type bit" trick took care of that. I've thought about covering all that in the intitial post. But I think it's a bit too complex for our purposes here. And regarding the "book type bit setting". . . only certain make/models of DVD burners allow for this tweak. H

Don't have the means to compare here at work. However, those file sizes look right to me at first glance. What playback software are you using? Best, H

Now that's a new one to me! I'd try decrypting/demuxing the DVD again. Let me know what the file size is of the raw audio file. I'll compare it to mine. Best, H

Yep, I've seen that problem before when people change the subtitles and regenerate the subtitle stream. Here's a bit from a PM that should set you a-right: Later on, I confirmed that this was the problem. And the person trying it did so as well. Hey, shoot me a PM about the missing punctuation. And finally, make sure you regenerate *both* subtitle streams if you want the widescreen and non-widescreen subtitles to remain identical. And, if I'm not mistaken, the font size may default to something other than the optimal an you may have to set it back to the optimal size as well. But, for the life of me, I can't remember what the font size should be! I'm thinking "22" right now. But I could be way off. And I think the optimal size may have been different for widescreen vs non-wide. If the font size is too big, they may creep off the edge of the TV (remember, most TVs have "overscan" and show less of the sides than a computer monitor). So, I recommend that you test things out and make sure the font size is pleasing (and that longer dialog still fits on the screen) before burning to DVD If I had to guess, I think I set widescreen font size to 22 and non-wide to 20. But, I'm having a hard time remembering. . . and the setting isn't retained between DVD-Lab sessions.

Well, to be fair, not everyone is a me3. H

Who do you think you are!?! areaseven? obscure reference

Ah, you are correct. My mistake. H

Roy, You seem to have lumped a quote from me in with the quotes from Me3. Anyways, my only point is the the mini-mods (and still a few full-mods) tend to spend the time to write a sentence or two of explanation in order to head off problems before they occur. There used to be more of that around here. There was very little of it recently until you instituted the mini-mod program. I don't think anyone can seriously say that no explanation is a better way to go as long as the moderator is willing to spend the time to write a sentence or two. So, all I'm saying is that it's nice that we have some newer blood around here who aren't so burned out on moderating. Because non-burned-out mods tend to do the little things that keep things from getting out of hand. Not that I dont understand the "they're all idiots!" mentality. After two years in a small ISP's tech support department (long ago), I know the "bunker mentality" of these situations pretty well. I also remember how cathartic it was to sit around and bitch about how idiotic all the customers were with the other reps. So, I empathize. The only difference is that we weren't allowed to actually show the disdain we had gained for our customers. But, since this isn't a business situation, you are free to do so. And you do. Often.

Holy crap dude! I said I didn't agree with what he did (or, more precisely, to the degree to which he did it). So, if you don't mind, please stop lumping me in with A1 just because I answered your friggin' question. You, my friend, need to chill.

Uh, to annoy you, obviously. Edit: A1 apparently finds it funny how absurdly irate you get when people quote images . I believe the examples that touched off such behavior on his part are here, here, here, and here. I think he believes that you take the "purity" of threads and keeping this message board organized way too seriously. While I don't agree with his guerilla tactics , I have to agree with the sentiment. Hey, you asked. Late Edit: Fixed redundant link.

It seems to me that the difference between a MW Mod and MW Mini-Mod is that the Mini-Mods acutally take the time to explain what they are doing and why rather than assuming that 95% of MW members outside their immediate circle of old friends are idiot whiners who deserve no explanation. I can't remember the last time a full-mod explained why they did something or even took the time to post a one-or-two sentence explanation for closing a thread in order to head-off complaining/criticizm/whining. Mini-mods definitely aren't a problem. They're actually the only real sign of hope around here.

Heard it.

Meh. I had quoted the image in question here again. But I see AgentONE is already on the case (though, as usual, going over the top with it). I think we may have some OCD going on here. . . H

You can download the clip here. You're welcome, A7.

Yes. I know about that thread. I've participated in it. But this is more about this clip and it's availability (which might have been overlooked by many who might want it if I had merely replied to that thread). Mmmmkay? Really though, are we only allowed to have one thread for each broad topic now? No sub-categories at all? Should the fan-sub of Spider-man be in the pre-existing Spider-man thread? Should the Star Wars Celebration thread be in the Star Wars Episode III thread? Should both of those be in a prior Star Wars thread? Should my subtitle DVD projects be in a pre-existing DYRL thread? Should they be combined into one thread? You see where I'm going with this. . . <Milhouse> Yes, we have order! But at what price!?! </Milhouse>