What exactly can Scenarist do that Maestro can't?

[Richard Iredale]

Not exactly your typical cocktail party chatter, but a couple of us were talking about DVD authoring, and began to wonder if the two programs were pretty much equivalent. Obviously Maestro is no longer officially for sale, though it does show up from time to time on eBay, and even then the program is in a sort of arrested development, since there haven't been updates since Apple killed it.

On the other hand, some say that Maestro is a much friendlier environment and yet is pretty much equivalent to Scenarist. Any comments?

[influenza]

Both Maestro and Scenarist are high end DVD authoring packages. I don't think there are many things (as if there's any) that can't be done by maestro that can be done by scenarist (and the other way around). So I would say they are pretty equal.

Maestro looks a lot user friendly though. It's easier to use if you're starting. On the other hand IMHO scenarist is easier if you work with multiple pgcs etc.

It's just a matter of personal feeling I guess. Besides that most automated tools like fif4u and reauthorist are completely reliant on scenarist.

Maybe I'm not the best reference here since it has been a really long time since I've seen Maestro ;)

[auenf]

Originally posted by influenza
Both Maestro and Scenarist are high end DVD authoring packages. I don't think there are many things (as if there's any) that can't be done by maestro that can be done by scenarist (and the other way around). So I would say they are pretty equal.

there is a couple of things that maestro can do that scen cant (but cant remember them off hand), and there is a couple of things that scen can do that DVDMaestro cant, eg multipgc without the 'play all pgc', and extended audio tags for directors commentary or for hard of hearing.

Maestro looks a lot user friendly though. It's easier to use if you're starting. On the other hand IMHO scenarist is easier if you work with multiple pgcs etc.

scen has a nice graphical layout that can be hard at first, but is rather logical when you get used to it, and you can see how your project is layed out.

DVDMaestro on the otherhand gives you easy to use timelines, which are very quick to pick up and master (and the DVDMaestro interface is probably the main reason why Apple bought Spruce).

Enf...

[Eyes`Only]

The most notable nuisance of Maestro is the fact that if you create a multiPGC DVD in it, it will automatically create an 'extra' PGC containing all the PGCs you used, as if you wanted this and just forgot to ask for it. LOL!

The most notable nuisance of Scenarist is the difficulty creating effective menus, but this can be learned and overcome, whereas the silly extra PGC thing in Maestro is there for life.

[GParent]

Couple of comments, FWIW.

(1) I was under the impression that registered users of the last PC release of DVD Maestro got maintenance updates. Now that could be history or perhaps Apple has a grace period before pulling the plug on support and updates. Lets face it, Steve Jobs made a Billion off Pixar stock and can afford to be magnanimous.

(2) Being a DVD-Lab fan. Yes, its not high-end and should not be discussed at length here, but I wanted to say that Media Chance makes a spiffy stand-alone Menu generator for DVD Authoring packages, that can exported to both DVD Maestro and Scenarist. Its called DVD Menu Studio and I have had good experience with it.

http://www.mediachance.com/dvdmenu/index.html

[auenf]

Originally posted by GParent
[B](1) I was under the impression that registered users of the last PC release of DVD Maestro got maintenance updates. Now that could be history or perhaps Apple has a grace period before pulling the plug on support and updates. Lets face it, Steve Jobs made a Billion off Pixar stock and can afford to be magnanimous.

/me pokes GParent with DVD Studio Pro 2.0 box

Enf...

[slk001]

One thing that I have noticed is a noticeable lack of commands for COMMAND SEQUENCES. There is no ability to CallSS (Call for System Space, or go to a PGC in a menu from a video title set).

[Richard Iredale]

I've build a number of DVDs, but have always wondered what the more exotic aspects (such as the use of command sequences) could do beyond the usual typical Hollywood layout of menus linking to other menus and chapters.