The DVD specification allows up to 99 chapters in a title. Blu-ray would give you more chapters per title and higher pixel dimensions.

The hard and fast limit of chapters in a DVD is a bit academic since you have to have the software to implement them.

So far as DVD Architect is concerned, I think the limit will be 99 titles maximum, each with 99 chapters maximum. I haven't tried it, but DVDA may impose constraints on top of the DVD spec. so you may get less than that, but not more.

You could put each year into its own title and then have 99 photos max in each year.

Here is a discussion which may give you more info if you are interested:
http://forum.doom9.org/archive/index.php/t-64347.html

DVD is standard definition, which is rather poor for photographs. You can mitigate this to some extent by zooming in and panning around, but do it sparingly or you will make people like me motion sick! Certainly don't apply automatic pan and zoom - do it with a purpose.

I think Blu-ray allows 999 chapters per title, but your viewers would have to have a BD player. The higher resolution would be more appropriate for photos, however, and I would choose that path if practicable.

This has been discussed from many points of view over the years. DVDArchitect Pro is designed for DVD usage to contain only one auto generated title with 99 chapters.

A better media for pic display is Blu-ray which has more flexible specs for such usage.

BUT you should be creating "pages" to hold individual pics, not chapters! Consult the DVD/Blu-ray spec for what "pages" are.... This will be a whole lot of work to create although it has max control and will look really good.

A far less complicated workflow can be had by creating slide-shows in Photodex ProShow Gold and creating a Blu-ray title.

For review:
In Forum thread, Subject: RE: DVDA bug?
Reply by: videoITguy
Date: 12/19/2014 1:04:06 AM

In DVDAPro Version 5.0b, create a SD DVD with a video asset of 99 chapters..try adding the 100th chapter - what happens?

Subject: RE: Title: Multiple End Actions
Reply by: videoITguy
Date: 6/12/2013 11:57:01 AM

+1 for TOG62 - noting the heart of the matter here - methods of chapter marks and set in/out points as well as small individual clips are all suitable for complex projects - and I often have incorporated all these methods concurrently in one title of an authored disc in DVDAPro. 99 links apply to one title.

When you use the DVDAPro helpfile the following numbers entered into a search box will tell you more:

99 - for chapters, media assets, button links
1023 - for menu pages per title per single video title set
18 - for max number of buttons per menu/page matrix per title in widescreen -
36 - for max number of buttons per menu/page matrix per title in SD television format 4:3 aspect -
250 - for max buttons per Blu-ray title
999 - for chapters per Blu-ray title
255 - for markers within in a playlist per title per single video title set

eschew obfuscation

Ah, Doom9. That brings back the memories of when authoring and burning a DVD was really leading-edge stuff. Doom9 was a go-to site for the latest on copying (er, "backing up") ones store-bought disks. And the HD-DVD / Blu-Ray wars. Good times.

Anyone remember paying $5 for an Apple-branded DVD-R blank?

I am of a mind to have each pic be a chapter so the viewer can advance when they wish.

I think you need to give serious consideration to this approach. To me it sounds like you want to return to the old days when one had a carousel projector with a remote. Rather than stepping through a series of images on a DVD, consider creating a production where you try to tell a story or present a history with your images. Try to make it interesting to watch (admittedly difficult) through animation of your still images, the addition of narration, and a music track. If possible, record comments and reactions of some of your subjects when they are shown selected images. It's a lot more difficult to include, but it can certainly make it more interesting to watch. And probably, most important--give serious consideration to length. Only you know your target audience and how long they can watch and still maintain interest. Having done lots of family oriented travel videos and slideshows over the years, the one thing I have learned is--the shorter the better. Set a time limit, or alternatively, create programs of different lengths--e.g. the full monty, just the good bits, and a teaser. In this way, you can always select which program to show to a given audience. Just a few things you might consider.

wwaag

Have you looked into the picture compilation feature in DVDA?

I wonder if the OP is expecting / imagining laserdisc-like behavior from DVD chapters.
If so, there is bound to be a disappointing outcome.

DVD chapters will not pause, return to menu, or accept end-actions. They will advance sequentially to the end of the title unless interrupted, and then the end action will occur..

Workarounds, including excessive titles and playlists have met with varying degrees of success, as a cursory search of this forum will reveal. Doing so opens a whole 'nuther can of worms, a result of widely varied behavior from different players.

Whether creating the title in Vegas or using the compilation feature in DVDA, keep the shots at 4 seconds, weed out similar shots, bad shots, dull shots, etc., and let 'er run. Remember that your average audience tolerance for family pics is under 30 minutes. That advice hasn't changed since the 1980's, when VHS was just becoming a household word.

"To me it sounds like you want to return to the old days when one had a carousel projector with a remote. Rather than stepping through a series of images on a DVD, consider creating a production where you try to tell a story or present a history with your images."

wwaag, did you mean like this?