Dolby Digital Codec

[Alpha1JD]

Hello-

     I have a question regarding the encoding of Dolby Digital audio files for dvd authoring.  I'm a wedding videographer and still get plenty of requests for dvd format (usually by the parents of the bride/groom). 

     If I update to the latest version of CC, how will I be able to make dvds that will playback on a set up dvd player?  Is there an alternative audio format that has the same level of compatibility with older set top players?

     I may have to hold off on updating until I can figure out how to author in another program that supports Dolby Digital.

[John T Smith · Accepted solution]

If your current version of PPro does what you want, including Dolby, you don't need to move to the newer version

Of course, if you need new features so you must upgrade, I have no suggestions for how to keep Dolby

[Stan Jones]

How are you doing it now? Just stereo dolby? Encore will still encode to stereo a3c. Just export pcm/wav from PR/AME.

[Alpha1JD]

Thanks for the tip.  I will have to test the encoder built into Encore to see how buggy it is.  Hopefully it is reliable.

[excited_Genie16B8]

I've actually refused customer requests for DVD.  It just makes no sense to shoot in HD, dumb that down to SD and then artificially scale it back up to watch on an HDTV.  I deliver only HD products, either on Blu-ray, thumb drive, or as downloads.

Everyone's pretty happy with that.

[Alpha1JD]

We actually just removed the dvd and blu-rays from our main package and replaced them with a usb drive/w case and highlight reel w/ licensed audio track (disks are a la carte now).  The young brides and grooms have no issues with this, however, the parents occasionally ask for dvds and blu rays.  I would hate  to see legacy format offerings be the deal breaker when negotiating a wedding package.

[excited_Genie16B8]

I'm very skeptical it would be.  I've never had a couple hire someone else because I didn't offer DVD.  Even their parents almost certainly have an HDTV with a USB slot.

[Alpha1JD]

     I see what you're saying but not all HDTVs have a built in USB slot and media player.  Most of the early 720p and 1080p models only came with component and hdmi.  HDTVs with usb ports from ~5 years ago can be a hit or miss for usb playback and may even require an external media player.

     One of my selling points is that Blu-Ray is archival and has superior video, audio, and navigation compared to USB drives.  The lack of physical media also reduces the perceived value the couple is getting.

[Stan Jones]

I'd debate whether USB is not as high quality as BD. But I agree about the perceived value.

I'd offer BD (and DVD) with the USB. Then I'd give them a discount for  no DVD/BD!

[Alpha1JD]

      That is a good idea, we actually gave our clients a discount for USB only last year and completely removed it from the base package this year (disks are now a la carte).

      I can tell you that the wedding video service industry is getting deskilled the same way photography did when clients started asking for high res files and passed on prints and albums.  The customer acquisition cost is getting too high for large discounts and quality labor is expensive when you consider the expectations of a modern wedding video.

[excited_Genie16B8]

Stan JonesI'd debate whether USB is not as high quality as BD.

It can be, if encoded the same.

But a 32 GB USB is pricey compared to a 25GB BD, so I always encode at lower bitrates and buy smaller thumb drives.

[excited_Genie16B8]

One of my selling points is that Blu-Ray is archival and has superior video, audio, and navigation compared to USB drives. 

Definitely agree with that.

For those who have a TV without a USB port, they'll just have to buy a Blu-ray player.  They're less than $100.  Everyone should have one by now anyway.  Watching your son or daughter's wedding is as good a reason as any to move into the 21st century.

That's been my working philosophy, anyway.  No one's walked away yet.