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SK321
SK321
Inspiring
April 19, 2023
Answered

Need an Alternative to Encore CS6

  • April 19, 2023
  • 2 replies
  • 10488 views

Before you even ask, the answer is, "Yes. Yes, I do still have clients who ask for DVDs and Blu-rays."

 

I know there's some other threads discussing this topic, but all the ones I saw are several years old. I've been using Encore CS6 for years now, but for a number of reasons I probably don't need to go into, I'd really like to find an alternative to it that has all the same features and is still updated or at the very least was more recently created than the last time CS6 was updated.

 

I have a lot of Photoshop menu templates I'd like to be able to just drop right in the way I can in Encore, but if I have to do some re-working initially, that would still be acceptable.

 

Here are some alternatives I've heard about (in no particular order) and was wondering if anyone has had experience with them and how well they stack up to Encore:


  • Magix DVD Architect
  • CyberLink PowerDirector
  • Nero Video
  • DVD Flic
  • DVDStyler
  • Wondershare DVD Creator

 

I'm using Windows 11 and I need to be able to add video transitions, subtitle tracks with the ability to enable/disable them, multiple audio tracks with ability to select each one, 23.976fps timelines on DVDs, motion backgrounds, animated thumbnails, pop-up menus on Blu-rays, and ability to output both DVD and Blu-ray ISO files.

 

Any feedback or suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

This topic has been closed for replies.
Correct answer Warren Heaton10841144

Some of the features that you have listed are out of spec for DVD and BD.

  • Video transitions happen at the asset level, not the auhtoring level.
  • NTSC DVD-Video runs at 29.97, not 23.976.
  • DVD-Video buttons use a sub-picture (a 2-bit still image), but the illusiton of animated thumbnails can be created by rendering it into the motion menu that the sub-picture is placed over.
  • BD-Video buttons use a PNG (an 8-bit or 24-bit still image), but the illusiton of animated thumbnails can be created by rendering it into the motion menu that the PNG is placed over.


To create DVD-Video and BD-Video to the corresponding format specifications:

2 replies

W
Community Expert
Warren Heaton10841144Community ExpertCorrect answer
Community Expert
April 19, 2023

Some of the features that you have listed are out of spec for DVD and BD.

  • Video transitions happen at the asset level, not the auhtoring level.
  • NTSC DVD-Video runs at 29.97, not 23.976.
  • DVD-Video buttons use a sub-picture (a 2-bit still image), but the illusiton of animated thumbnails can be created by rendering it into the motion menu that the sub-picture is placed over.
  • BD-Video buttons use a PNG (an 8-bit or 24-bit still image), but the illusiton of animated thumbnails can be created by rendering it into the motion menu that the PNG is placed over.


To create DVD-Video and BD-Video to the corresponding format specifications:

SK321
SK321Author
Inspiring
April 20, 2023
quote

Some of the features that you have listed are out of spec for DVD and BD.

  • Video transitions happen at the asset level, not the auhtoring level.
  • NTSC DVD-Video runs at 29.97, not 23.976.
  • DVD-Video buttons use a sub-picture (a 2-bit still image), but the illusiton of animated thumbnails can be created by rendering it into the motion menu that the sub-picture is placed over.
  • BD-Video buttons use a PNG (an 8-bit or 24-bit still image), but the illusiton of animated thumbnails can be created by rendering it into the motion menu that the PNG is placed over.


To create DVD-Video and BD-Video to the corresponding format specifications:


By @Warren Heaton10841144

 

Yeah, I'm sure I didn't get some of the specific technical jargon correct, but I assume most people knew what I was talking about since Encore allows the things I mentioned. I realize the transitions are on the asset level, but I wanted to make sure whatever software was offered as an alternative allowed you to include/add them. I also understand that it's technically 29.97, but Encore allows you to bring in a drop-frame 23.976p file.

 

So Scenartist can do all the things I mentioned?

Ann Bens
Community Expert
Ann BensCommunity Expert
Community Expert
April 19, 2023

If I stop using Encore for some reason I would choose

 

TMPGEnc Authoring Works 6 - The Ultimate DVD / Blu-ray / AVCHD Authoring Tool - Pegasys Inc.

SK321
SK321Author
Inspiring
April 19, 2023
quote

If I stop using Encore for some reason I would choose

 

TMPGEnc Authoring Works 6 - The Ultimate DVD / Blu-ray / AVCHD Authoring Tool - Pegasys Inc.


By @Ann Bens

 

Thanks for the suggestion, Ann. One of the reasons I'm wanting to switch is that Encore wasn't made for 4K montitors and it can be difficult to read/navigate the program, unless I changed my monitor's resolution while I'm working. That's a minor complaint, I suppose, but still annoying.

Ann Bens
Community Expert
Ann BensCommunity Expert
Community Expert
April 19, 2023

I have Encore on a 4K monitor.

Do this so you dont have to change resolution every time.

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