Scenarist 3.0 is out!

[thdvd]

Sonic is pleased to announce the availability of Scenarist, version 3.0!
WHAT'S NEW IN VERSION 3.0?


Advanced Copy-and-Paste − Version 3.0 expands the existing copy-and-paste functionality and enables copy-and-paste of pre-, post-, cell, and button commands between PGCs.

Import and Export Video Title Sets − Expand your facility and create a productive and efficient Scenarist workgroup. The new Import and Export Video Title Set feature enables specialist DVD authors to work on separate parts of a DVD title. Sub-sections are then compiled into a single project for polishing and finishing, prior to replication.

Adobe Photoshop® Layer Support − Create layered DVD menus in Adobe Photoshop that contain background and button layers.

Enhanced Template Management − The new template wizard in version 3.0 allows DVD authors to create new scenarios from custom project templates or using the project wizard.

Improved Asset Management − Specify default file locations for scenario and script files or reassign file paths for entire projects. Move a complete project between systems with ease.

Expanded Device Support − Output to the widest range of CD-recordable, DVD-recordable, and DLT drives available. For a complete list of supported devices and media, visit: http://www.sonic.com/products/scenarist/devices.asp.

PlantDirect™ Integration − Sonic's exclusive PlantDirect pre-mastering technology enables disc images to be uploaded via a secure network connection to a replication plant. PlantDirect saves time and money on every DVD project by removing the need to write and ship DLT tapes. Included as standard in Scenarist Professional; optional extra in Scenarist Studio.

HOW DO I GET VERSION 3?

Version 3.0 is a free upgrade for all SonicCare™ Silver and Gold customers. Scenarist customers without a qualifying SonicCare contract can upgrade to version 3.0 for a one-time fee. SonicCare renewals and upgrades are available from Sonic Resellers.

[Eyes`Only]

It's been out for about a month and a half now. Not many new improvements that most of us would use though, most of it has to do with tape control, etc. The most useful improved feature is copy/paste in the Scenario Editor, and they didn't even fix some of the most prevalent issues that have plagued us for years, like the ability to assign the first audio track to say, 0x82 if we wanted to (still gotta create those irritating dummy audio tracks).

[SurfDrifter]

I have 2 questions

1)Does the UNDO function work?
2)Does the "create new story" function work?(seamless branching)
2.5) Seamless branching is implemented only in Apple's DVD Studio Pro 2? (Besides a Toshiba, Panasonic turnkey system)

[mdkusr]

Originally posted by Eyes`Only
...and they didn't even fix some of the most prevalent issues that have plagued us for years, like the ability to assign the first audio track to say, 0x82 if we wanted to (still gotta create those irritating dummy audio tracks).

??? Isn't this something that the average DVD authoring house never would run into? I'm not sure it's what you would call an 'issue'. Just a thought.

-M

[Eyes`Only]

Warner Bros has something they do to every DVD: They author the main movie with audio 0x80 to 0x83, then they add trailers and whatnot in another VTS with one audio track of 0x84. (The addresses change, but there's a good amount that use that exact same structure). So don't tell me authoring houses would not run into this. WB obviously doesnt use Scenarist, as they don't have the issue. But we do. So yes, it's an issue if you like to make tricky DVDs, like the rest of the authoring industry. If you just want to make simple DVDs, then I guess not. But then you might as well use something else. Scenarist is what it is because of it's versatility and capabilities. I just don't know why the authors haven't made it do this. No apps available without hardware do. Not Maestro (dead, I know) nor Encore.