DVDAStudio or Architect 3.0

eyethoughtso wrote on 2/24/2006, 6:58 PM

I have been upgrading from VMS + DVD 4.0, 6.0 Platinum, to Vegas 6.0. Now I'm looking at upgrading the $299 to Vegas + DVD. Will that make much of a difference? The DVDA Studio seems to do the same as the Architect 3.0. But I see there are differences in the Advertising. Will I be able to play my projects on any DVD Player? I know I have difficulties playing some of the players, will this reduce that problem? I see it has a few 3 letter acronyms like CMT, DLT DLL or something. Are these what the big boys use? I tried the demo. What's the difference?

Comments

ScottW wrote on 2/26/2006, 9:45 AM

If you go here:

http://www.sonymediasoftware.com/products/showproduct.asp?PID=967&FeatureID=8247&spid=315

You'll find a comparison chart to show you the differences. There are more differences than just the advertising - mainly AC3, but a couple of other things as well.

Forget about being able to reliably play on 100% of all the players out there unless you go to replication; it's not so much the authoring software (though that can impact things) as it is that burned media is just different than commercially stamped media.

I have found that I can hit around 99% playability with DVD+R burned with a DVD-ROM booktype, but there's still that 1% - just 2 days ago I had to give a customer a VHS copy of their project because even the +R w/DVD-ROM wouldn't play on their player, and they weren't willing to purchase a newer player.

--Scott

eyethoughtso wrote on 2/27/2006, 6:51 PM

Thanks for taking the time to answer. What are mastering tools. Do I already have them in the DVDA Studio 3.0- Vegas 6.0d combination? I see AC-3 which I have in the SONY VAIO Click to DVD application. And as for magic bullet, well... I haven't had a need yet.
That leaves the mastering tools. My wife isn't thrilled with the idea of getting something I already have. Especially when its going to cost $300 for the upgrade.
When I went from VMS 6.0 to Vegas there weren't many more differences in things I was already doing. But the support in the forums is worth the price.
I see some DVDs that I rent from the Video store that has the PLAY, SCENE SELECTION, SOUND CHOICES, and other goodies in cool angles and blinking things. How can I do that? I don't mind paying the bread if its going to make my work look more professional.
I am using a SONY VAIO DESKTOP with Fujifilm DVD+R 8X. The combination seems to work in most players. I got rid of a lot of problems by burning at a slow speed. I learned that from audio mixing. I also experinced that once it's duplicated it has no problems. But that first one has to be right on.

ScottW wrote on 2/27/2006, 7:46 PM

Mastering tools are what you need if you decide to replicate a DVD. When looking at replication, you are typically looking at 1,000 copies or more (though some places will replicate for smaller quantities). DVDAS does not have mastering tools.

Multi-angle is one feature I think is only available with the full version; scene selection is available with the Studio version. Sound choice is typically stereo (either AC3 or PCM) or 5.1 - you need the big brother versions to do AC3 and/or 5.1.

Depending on how you define professional, either version will do IMO, because a lot of it is in the presentation, not in the gimmicks. If AC3 audio and 5.1 is something you define as professional, then you need the full version. If creating multiple menus with extra features, etc. is professional then the Studio version will generally be just fine. If you're looking at creating an interactive game like what you find on the "National Treasure" DVD, then neither version will work and you need to be looking at DVD Lab Pro (inexpensive) , or possible Scenarist (at $20,000 or something equally ridiculous).

Generally, my experience with burning speed is that its more important to have a good burner and decent media than burn at lower speeds (in fact some reports say lower speeds actually increase the potential for issues). I routinely burn at 8x with Taiyo Yuden media and have had very few problems. Admittedly you'll find differing opinions on this.

--Scott

eyethoughtso wrote on 2/28/2006, 4:57 PM

I appreciate your time and expertise. (I hope I spelled that right.) I use the DVDAS to make my DVD projects. I only need a few for each customer. I let them do the duplication. It cuts down on the project time. They really like the clips I use for the introduction on the opening page. I just put a small clip with some buttons on top that are animated and it looks pro. I notice there is alot of color wash-out, but they are so impressed by the movie behind the animated buttons that it doesn't matter. I will use this until I find a need to upgrade. Thanks for all the pointers.

Jeff