Need an Alternative to Encore CS6

[SK321]

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.

[Ann Bens · Accepted solution]

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]

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]

I have Encore on a 4K monitor.

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

[SK321]

I have Encore on a 4K monitor.

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

By @Ann Bens

Awesome, I didn't know you could do that. Much appreciated!

[Dennis at Veria Video]

Thank you so much for the suggestion, Ann!  The inevitable finally happened.  My Adobe Encore CS6 finally stopped functioning and no matter what I tried, I could not get it going again.  After putting TMPGEnc through it's paces, I purchased the full edition.  It seems to be the most professional software alternative to Encore I have found to date.  I own a video production studio and we film and post produce about 60 theater shows per year for our customers, who still, in 2024 are very much dependent on the DVDs and Blu-ray Discs that we provide to them.  Our shows include dance recitals and holiday ballet productions (aka Nutcracker, etc.).  This has been a long time coming and I am very glad that I have finally found a worthy replacement to Encore CS6!  Furthermore, we currently edit in Davinci Resolve and I am happy to report that chapter markers we place on the timeline in DR are successfully interpreted by TMPGEnc which was another huge selling point for me.  No workarounds!  Just works!  So again, thanks so much for the recommendation!

[Warren Heaton · Accepted solution]

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:

• https://www.scenarist.com/

[SK321]

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:

• https://www.scenarist.com/

By @Warren Heaton

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?

[Cervello37993292bj48]

Yes of course... buying a $30,000 software like Scenarist is within everyone's reach...

[Cervello37993292bj48]

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:

• https://www.scenarist.com/

By @Warren Heaton

Yes of course... buying a $30,000 software like Scenarist is within everyone's reach...

[SK321]

Oh wow, I didn't realize Scenarist was that expensive. Guess if I have to stop using Encore, I'll switch to TMPGEnc Authoring Works, as Ann suggested.