I saw a Magnavox (Philips) unit in Walmart a couple of days ago for $99.

sasha1:

wher you're ready to burn, it will automatically render the files and then burn the disc (or disc image) in one click

That is interesting, Sasha

So far, when I have tried this workflow, Encore "crashes" during the rendering/transcoding process - if I am using QT reference files.
It is not crashing with other files.

I will look into this a bit deeper when I have the time.
Thanks for your input.

Regards,
Douglas

 

I have Encore make a disc image and then burn that with Nero or other program. if you're trying to burn a disc with encore maybe that's the hangup. just guessing...

sasha1:

in one click (avoids sorenson as an intermediate step).

If you create the right file in Sorenson (ie the one Encore CS4 wants for Blu Ray) Encore will not transcode again. Sorenson encodes faster than Encore and you have more control over the encode. So the intermediate step actually saves you time.

sasha1:

I have Encore make a disc image and then burn that with Nero or other program

I also find this is far more reliable than the flakey CS4 burn straight to disk option. For example Encore tells me a -RE is not a valid disk if trying to output directly to disk. But then Enore then accepts the same disk to burn directly from its own iso (WT ****)

I got used to having Encore make an image because, in earlier versions at least, it makes the image much faster than when combined with burning. anyway I almost always need more than one copy.

but andrew, what format do you use for blu-ray --- there a number of choices (H.264, mpeg, VC-1 whatever that is). also, in sorenson, progressive or not.

             - sasha

 

sasha1:

what format do you use for blu-ray --- there a number of choices (H.264, mpeg, VC-1 whatever that is). also, in sorenson, progressive or not.

HD to Blu Ray testing takes up so much time I have taken the path of least resistance and use mpeg as it was the first one that worked between Sorenson and Encore for me.

Progressive or not depends on my source material. I do not deinterlace an interlace project at output or encode. (except for EX footage the field order of which none of my encoders can make any sense)

AndrewAction:

I have taken the path of least resistance and use mpeg

I did the same, and it looks good. some day will get around to testing.

anyone tried H.264 for blu-ray?

 

I'm following everyone's comments with interest.

Just for the record I use the term "burn" in the sense that AvidDVD uses it. In that case whether you are 1. Burning direct to disc at the end, 2. Writing to a folder or 3. Writing and image - all processes are termed "burning". (I always thought this was a little confusing)
However, what I want to say is that I have never burned direct to disc.
I always make an image before burning separately.
My tests with Encore, so far, have always failed during the transcode step when using a QT reference from MC.

But I am not blaming Encore. I have not had enough time to test all the possibilities.

When I have the time I will be testing both Encore and TAW4 further.

Regards,
Douglas

sasha1:

anyone tried H.264 for blu-ray?

 

Yes, of course, my first post in this thread, the 4th one , tells that

Douglas,

 

You indicate a problem with Encore. If you are using MXF files, you may wish to transcode the MXF files to OMF and then test Encore again.

I was having a terrible time basing my Media Composer 3.5.4 work on MXF files (really thought I was using OMF files but MC was defaulting back to MXF files). DVD Lab Pro 2 would NOT accept the WAV files from MC that went through Cinema Craft SP2 until such time as I transcoded the MXF files to OMF and then MPEG-2 encoded the QT Reference file that were based on the OMF file type. As soon as I made the swap, DVD Lab Pro 2 worked just fine.

I do not understand why the SP2 and/0r DVD Lab Pro 2 did not like the MXF files but that was my finding.

Don R.

 

DonR:

You indicate a problem with Encore. If you are using MXF files, you may wish to transcode the MXF files to OMF and then test Encore again.

Thanks for the idea, Don

I am using MXF files.
I'll give your idea a test as soon as I have some time.

Thanks,

Douglas

I'd add and Encore CS3 experience from this week.

Adobe continue to underwhelm me in the bug/support dept and again Avid look good in comparison.

In Encore 2, there is a documented program exiting bug when using QT files not avi's. Adobe's take is cntl/alt/del force exit as an acceptable workaround - no patch to fix this, ever...

Encore CS3 - make a menu with a duration that then plays a clip - a simple 1 timeline, 1 menu loop project. Preview it in CS3 and it works.  Burn the disk and it doesn't loop at all.  Go back to Encore 2 and recreate the same project, no problem, works fine.  A quick scan of the forums and again, I'm not the only one.  Adobe's answer to this is that this is normal behavior as you have no motion bg set for the menu?  So why did this work in E2, why does it preview OK in CS3?  Are these then the bugs?  My point, again we have an adobe app with glaring bugs and no indication they have any intention of fixing them...  Not tried this with a Bluray yet so will report when I do.

For all the problems/perceived problems with Avid, they care a whole lot more about the end user than Adobe seem to and that is worth something.