DVD authoring

Azmyth

Azmyth

Veteran
I've been using Encore, but wanted to try something else.. unless Encore is the best there is. Any alternatives?
 
As long as you provide Encore a good encoded stream (HD or SD), it'll work just fine.
If you plan to use AME, then it's another story.
 
I like DVD Architect Pro. I used it for years, then tried Encore when I made the Adobe switch. I found it was pretty buggy (and no longer developed) so now I'm back to DAP
 
Yeah...+1 for DVD Architect Pro.
It's way easier to navigate around when putting together most typical DVD projects.

But Encore seems much better for BLU-RAYs. Just wish it wasn't so confusing.
 
All of the consumer level DVD authoring programs are going to have some limitations. Whether you're going to ever need to exceed those limitations is another question. By comparison to the professional spec level authoring tools like Scenarist, Encore doesn't hold up as the best. But...do you want to spend months learning how to program for every GPRM, SPRM, use seamless branching, gapless subtitles, or create interactive games on DVD? No? Then Encore will be fine. Probably.
The real issue for most people with DVD is making the picture look good. It's SD 720x480 and that's all you get. If you can encode your movie well, it will hold up when played back on a big screen. Encode it poorly and it will look like poop on a phone. I'm not sure what the best consumer level encoder is these days, so I can't direct you to it but regardless of which one you use, you'll need to learn how to get the most out of it depending on your project. Take your time to get that part right.
 
I work for a distribution company and still master our films with DVD Studio Pro and have since 2004. I also still get in DVD studio project files from different producers still. I rarely see any Encore projects. I'd recommend it if your on a Mac and can get your hands on it. Either way make sure you encoding your assets outside of the software (like Apple Compresor). I use photoshop to create the menus and their overlays. I tried Encore years ago and it just seemed like a mess. I imagine DVD Studio will stop working with a future OS update, but until then i still love authoring in it.
 
Azmyth said:
I've been using Encore, but wanted to try something else.. unless Encore is the best there is. Any alternatives?
Click to expand...

What are you looking for that's different from Encore, or how it works?

I agree with the others, DVD Architect Pro is excellent, and ridiculously easy and intuitive, much moreso than Encore . . .

But that may not be the reason you want to switch.
 
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