DVD Architect 2 released

[awai]

Sony has released DVD Architect 2 (along with Vegas 5 of course). A demo is available for download from their site.

First impressions:

- monitor preview is a great feature. I hope this becomes standard in all apps
- they've done the thumbnail thing right. The following are all de-coupled: the link (video or otherwise), the thumbnail source, the frame source, the frame mask. The thumbnail, frame and frame mask can all be from different sources.

Lots of other things are there (that I'd never use like subtitles, multiple audio, etc.) and lots of things I'd still want but aren't there. However, a definite step in the right direction.

Some things that really should become standard in all apps are control blocks for playlists (which can be used to implement a play all easily) and randomized playlists. DVDLab Pro now has these. Let's hope others follow.

And subpicture delay so menu transitions can be done smoothly. Why no one (consumer/prosumer apps that is) provides this very useful feature is beyond me.

[MJPollard]

Regarding subtitles, DVD Architect 2.0 can import subtitle files in Apple DVD Studio Pro and Sonic DVD Creator formats, according to a Sony tech guru. Both of these formats are supported in URUSoft's excellent Subtitle Workshop, which is freeware (but donations are welcome) and can be found in the Tools section.

[Cunhambebe]

Subtitle Workshop IS "the" great tool. Cheers to the folks from Uruguay who made this software free and available.