Adobe Encore DVD

[JamesB69]

been reading about this program, it looks promising. I bet its expensive though.

[housepig]

I thought I saw something saying in the $499-599 range.

not out of line with most other Adobe products. I wonder if they will bundle a Special Edition with any burners....

[KTH]

Adobe currently list the software price as $549.00. I might be interested in getting it when it is released, but hope that they will have a fully functional trial version available. It would really suck to spend $550.00 on crappy software! The only thing's I don't like is that the specs say you need to have Windows XP Home or Professional to run this software, but there are still a lot of people like myself who still run Windows 2000. Another thing that I don't like is that the currently listed supported DVD Recordable drives are only current models. Older models like the Pioneer A03, A04 are not currently listed.

[JamesB69]

yeah but youd be just as well to author to a Video_TS and burn with nero or RNM or GearPro or insert fav burnign software. reading about the css encryption and DLT capabilities makes it seem like a real professional tool as not too many do that stuff. Maybe it will be along the lines of Maestro? Or could we be so lucky.

[JamesB69]

one more thing, too, it requires a Pentium 4 and 2 gigs of harddisk space. That is too much in my opinion.

[txpharoah]

one more thing, too, it requires a Pentium 4 and 2 gigs of harddisk space. That is too much in my opinion.

Video is demanding. I'm sure most of that is for swap/scratch space. The P4 is given.

[mrbass]

I believe it also requires winXP and if that's the case it's a no go for me as I only run windows 2000 and linux.

[rallynavvie]

I'm sure it'll run on Athlon CPUs, SSE2 doesn't make that much difference

As for WinXP if it's too expensive to get the full install disc you just need to find a piece of hardware you're needing and get the OEM full version of XP Pro with it. Many online merchants allow you to buy it as long as you're buying hardware. I picked mine up when I bought my LiteOn 166, cost of the drive and software was $200.

I'm in on a pre-order for Encore so it had better be a good package. Part of me is getting a little weary about it though since it's almost never a great idea to get in on software on its first release. I may retract my order and wait to see a demo or some feedback from others using it.

[SaSi]

Regarding performance, I'm using s/w that say need PIII/800MHz on a P4/2.67GHz machine and wish I had more GHz. If there is anything more demanding for CPU than Video editing and DVD Authoring, then it's action games.

My impression on Adobe's product is that it's in the same league with Scenarist and DVDMaestro. It can do upto 8 audio and 32 sub streams. It claims to have a nice menu design interface (and every program is more userfriendly than Scenarist).

It also includes an MPEG-2 encoder, which remains to be seen if it's garbage or good. However, the fact that Premier is already using Mainconcept as a plug-in MPEG-2 encoder, makes me believe that Encore is also using Mainconcept.

Furthermore, Encore also records directly to (current) DVD burners, which is welcome.

At the $450-550 range, I think it's a bargain. Especially considering that programs like ULEAD DVDWorkshop sell, like I heard, for $300 or so.

What's more interesting is that Adobe advertise the product as being the winner of "TV Technology 2003 award". I don't challenge the correctness of the statement, however it's interesting how a product that is not yet available receives an award.

Will be waiting for a trial version in the Summer. Hey, it's summer already!!!

[JamesB69]

im looking forward to this software. I had the opportunity to use Sonic DVD Producer. it is up there with Maestro in my book. Sort of like Scenarist without all the PCG stuff(what is a PCG?). It just doesnt seem as, hmm "high profile"? From the looks of it, Adobe Encore DVD is gonna be up there with these three programs.

And then after these 3 programs and Adobe Encore DVD, in my book is DVDLab. Its a fraction of the cost and leaps and bounds above all the ulead offerings and DVDit and MyDVD and (insert any authoring program not already mentioned)

[SaSi]

And then after these 3 programs and Adobe Encore DVD, in my book is DVDLab. Its a fraction of the cost and leaps and bounds above all the ulead offerings and DVDit and MyDVD and (insert any authoring program not already mentioned)

If DVDLab could do subtitles, it would be the best program for me. It's simple and manages to hide all the complexity artificially generated by programs like Scenarist.

Working with Scenarist is like writing assembly code. Working with DVD Lab is like doing visual programming. No offence to Scenarist or Scenarist fans (I am also one - cannot afford not to be after all those long nights in dismay), but Scenarist is more like a kind of test: "Do you know your DVD Specs?" rather than a tool to help you do work. For example, take the menu and navigation commands. You are presented with a form with drop-down selection menus and checkboxes - instead of a blank screen to write actual code - and then you must chose to test or give a value to SPRM1. What is this? Why couldn't they just say "Selected Audio Stream"?

However, at least it works and produces excellent results.

[rallynavvie]

What would be nice is for one of these DVD editors to be able to deconstruct an existing DVD (take apart menu pictures/subpictures, demux video/audio/subs) so that you could change things slightly if you no longer have the raw files from which you burned the disc. It would even be handy to take a commercial DVD and see how they did some of the menus. Or is there a way to do this already that I do not know of? (I know how to get the video/audio/subs, but not menu structures :P )

[SaSi]

One of the longest threads in this forum is about DVD2DVDR, which, as I understand, does exactly what you explain. It rips a DVD structure, decomposes it into the elements and creates a Scenarist script. It also has functionality to re-encode with CCE, to reduce video size.

From what I understand, it's far from reaching a fully completed state. There are problems and things it doesn't do, but it's still enhanced.

This is the exact analogy of a disassembler, a program that convers an executable into the assembly source. Such programs have a long history, can be considered "mature", and still, require quite a lot of hand-work afterwards and a very good understanding of assembly programming.

I believe something like this applies to a DVD deconstructor as well, although the complexity is far less of course. Theoretically, such a program, like DVD2DVDR is totally feasible, just a matter of investing all that time and effort. DVD2DVDR is free.

[BJ_M]

What would be nice is for one of these DVD editors to be able to deconstruct an existing DVD (take apart menu pictures/subpictures, demux video/audio/subs) so that you could change things slightly if you no longer have the raw files from which you burned the disc. It would even be handy to take a commercial DVD and see how they did some of the menus. Or is there a way to do this already that I do not know of? (I know how to get the video/audio/subs, but not menu structures :P )

this already exists ..

doitfast4u + ReAuthorist + DoCCE4U + Scenarist

with the above you can completly deconstruct and then re-construct a dvd /very easy to use ..

[icemanatvcd]

SaSi,

What's more interesting is that Adobe advertise the product as being the winner of "TV Technology 2003 award". I don't challenge the correctness of the statement, however it's interesting how a product that is not yet available receives an award.

That is easy, pay them some bucks to market for you. It is a joke if you ask me. Rip off marketing techniques!

I have PIII 733 Mhz, I am not going to upgrade for the time being. My processor hadles everthing I throw at it, why waste extra hundeds of dollars just for one app. Surely it is not as fast as P4, I let it run overnight!

Consumer need to be a bit wise, see what is around.

Stuff Adobe I say. Use DVDLab or some other app. If DVDLav used marketing techniues as good as Adobe this software will be worth $1000.00!

These are pure specs without any real gain from it. If you got extra bucks to waste then go and upgrade, I don't.

That is my spray for the day.

[xXripperXx]

I hope it comes out soon cause i like all adobe products. I bet its gonna b realy Awsome i no i am getting it

[txpharoah]

If it has the name ADOBE stamped on the box, you can bet quality awaits you inside.

[willy_annand]

I believe it also requires winXP and if that's the case it's a no go for me as I only run windows 2000 and linux.

I used to be on 2000 exclusively, but after getting a new machine for my wife and seeing the improvements in WinXp, I have upgraded my machine and love it.

[Sugar]

I can't wait to try it. I am fed up with limited version such as DVDit LE of MovieFactory.
These are great for basic editing, but when you spend hours editing a film with Premiere 6.5 you want to have a fully compatible/integrated software for authoring.
The price is and issue because the software looks more like a tool for professionals than for advanced users who want more than the entry level but do not need all the bells and whistles.

Still, I will probably buy it and share, like the resy any impression.

[willy_annand]

I am experimenting right now with DVDLab.

Excellent software, not as easy as Movie Factory or DVDit, but alot more power here. Motion and Switched menus, menu transitions, chaptering, both manual and auto. Everything is customizable and it is only $99


http://www.mediachance.com/dvdlab/index.html

Looks like a winner to me.

[slasho]

What would be nice is for one of these DVD editors to be able to deconstruct an existing DVD (take apart menu pictures/subpictures, demux video/audio/subs) so that you could change things slightly if you no longer have the raw files from which you burned the disc. It would even be handy to take a commercial DVD and see how they did some of the menus. Or is there a way to do this already that I do not know of? (I know how to get the video/audio/subs, but not menu structures :P )

this already exists ..

doitfast4u + ReAuthorist + DoCCE4U + Scenarist

with the above you can completly deconstruct and then re-construct a dvd /very easy to use ..

Where Can I get that??... and a GUIDE please

[smeg]

I've tried Encore, it only accepts full NTSC or PAL spec video, no Half D1 etc, pity the rest of the program looks fine.

[rallynavvie]

I did end up getting Encore as part of Adobe's video collection bundle. I haven't had the chance to use it yet since it came just a few days ago but I did sit down and watch the DVD that Adobe bundled with the collection (done by Total Training, a great Adobe training video company). There were some great options in the tutorial such as the ability to make motion thumbnails and subtitles from within Encore. Being an Adobe whore it'll likely become my primary mastering app since it can coexist with Photoshop, AfterEffects, and Premiere so well.

I haven't played with it enough to see what res it could handle. I didn't even know anyone used half D1 for video anymore, what with HDTV and digital camcorders all over the place. Maybe Adobe will offer a plug-in or update for it to handle this. All we need to do is get a lot of people to complain to them about it.

[SaSi]

I didn't even know anyone used half D1 for video anymore, what with HDTV and digital camcorders all over the place. Maybe Adobe will offer a plug-in or update for it to handle this. All we need to do is get a lot of people to complain to them about it.

If you want to convert your VHS tapes to DVD, then half D1 is a good option. Full frame just wastes bitrate in most cases.

However, although the main argument in implementing a feature is how popular it will be among potential customers, any descent DVD authoring program should provide support for the full standard - if it claims to be a award winning commercial application.

DVDLab is not able to do what the DVD standard specifies - e.g. subpictures - and for that reason the price is low and the author promises to "reinvest what we pay for it to improve it". Haven't seen any such promises at the Adobe site.

BTW, implementing subpictures in an authoring program can be a pain. Implementing half D1 should be quite simple, so I'm afraid we have an ommission here.

[rallynavvie]

I don't think Adobe will be making any promises. This is the first version of its first DVD authoring app and I think they did a good job for their first try. Subpictures are pretty easy to add from scratch (just write the text right on the preview screen and set keyframes for it), motion menus are a breeze, linking buttons is easy, and motion thumbs are integrated so no more need to create them in AE before bringing the m2v into the DVD authoring app. And those are only what I've learned so far. Perhaps there is something in there that will allow you to support other screen sizes, we just haven't found the exploit yet. If not it may be included in a version 2, but rumor has it from their tech support that there may be a v1.5 release by the end of the year.

[Maynard123]

I have the academic version of Encore that has only a small number of menu templates. I would like to start with some menu templates that are more appropriate for home movies. Do you know where I might find some home movie-style Encore menu templates?

Thanks.