Dolby Digital 5.1 Professional Encoding

[Pato]

Can you recommend a Dolby Digital 5.1 Professional Encoding System?

I´ve already a Tascam DA-88 and I´d really like to ear about some experienced users and their systems to be able to choose the best for my company. I currently use Optibase´s Mpeg composer which allows me to encode DD 2.0 streams directly from Digibeta and has pass-through DD 5.1 capabilities.

Any links would also be usefull.

Thanks
PATO.

[Sycho]

for a software encoder softencode and i think there's a surcode one availble

[Matthew]

Apparently surcode uses the newer dolby libraries as does the ac3 plugin for acid so in theory they should be better than softencode I suppose.

But personally I like softencode's command-line support.

[Sycho]

does azid support channel coupling?

[ursamtl]

Don't forget that SoftEncode is no longer available. Besides, I think Pato is looking for a professional encoder to buy.

Pato, check Dolby's web site at http://www.dolby.com/professional/ . They have lots of info there on pro gear.

Regards,
Steve.

[Eye of Horus]

Dolby plugin for Nuendo....
And the one supplied with Scenarist....
(this one has the ability to feed it with interleaved stereo)

EoH

[Pato]

Thanks for your posts so far... I really need a professional system, I work with scenarist and sometimes I use it´s ac3 encoder, but what I need is a system that allows encoding from a Tascam DA-88 Digital output, with Timecode, remote, etc...
I followed ursamtl link and got a
Dolby Digital Encoding System for DVD (http://www.dolby.com/pro/multiaud/91663_4.pdf) quite expensive, but I guess it should be the best available.
How about Nuendo? I really would like to ear about it since it´s not so expensive and it just might be what I need.

Thanks,
PATO.

[ursamtl]

Originally posted by Pato
Thanks for your posts so far... I really need a professional system, I work with scenarist and sometimes I use it´s ac3 encoder, but what I need is a system that allows encoding from a Tascam DA-88 Digital output, with Timecode, remote, etc...
I followed ursamtl link and got a
Dolby Digital Encoding System for DVD (http://www.dolby.com/pro/multiaud/91663_4.pdf) quite expensive, but I guess it should be the best available.
How about Nuendo? I really would like to ear about it since it´s not so expensive and it just might be what I need.

Thanks,
PATO.
Hi Pato,

From the sound of your posts, you're just looking for pro encoding. Obviously, if you`ve got $5000 to spend, the best choice of all for professional work would be the Dolby DP569 Encoder.

If you're looking for a much cheaper solution, then there are a couple of software products. Obviously, Nuendo is one of them. It's a fine program, but the encoder part of it is really just an extra-cost plugin that adds a couple of extra menu options for mixdown. If you want an overall audio/midi sequencer with some integrated video, go for it. Your cost for this will be $1499US for Nuendo itself, plus another $999US for the Nuendo AC3 Encoder (a thousand bucks just for a couple of menu items seems steep!). So the total would be $2498US. You'd also have to research how Nuendo would interact with the DA-88 to take advantage of the program's sequencer and mixing capabilities. I presume it can be done, but there may be some extra interfacing required. If you've got the bucks to spend, sufficient computer power and want to upgrade your software and mixing capabilities, this might be an interesting option. If you're in North America, Pro Tools seems to be more prevalent, so you might also want to check out some options on that front.

However, if all you want to do is encode pro quality AC3 withut spending tons of money, why not check out the Surcode line at http://www.surcode.com? Go to the site then click the Products menu button at the top. Click the second icon from the left at the top for SurCode Dolby Digital. It's only $995 compared to Nuendo's $2498 total. It's licensed by Dolby Labs and will handle AC3 encoding to 5.1 or 2.0. They even have a demo available for downloading. This to me seems like the most realistic solution for your situation.

Regards,
Steve.

[Pato]

Thanks a lot Steve, I´ll take a good look into your suggestions.