Adobe Encore DVD In the Studio (O'Reilly Digital Studio) [Paperback]

Douglas Dixon (Author)

Book Description

Series: O'Reilly Digital Studio | Publication Date: September 2004

If you're looking for an easy and stimulating way to master Adobe Encore DVD and fine-tune your moviemaking skills at the same time, look no further than Adobe Encore DVD: In the Studio. This full-color tutorial will help you push the limits of Adobe Encore DVD by helping you to create highly imaginative designs and projects.

Designed primarily for Adobe Creative Suite developers, particularly those using Adobe Premiere and AfterEffects, as well as filmmakers who wish to transfer their projects to DVDs, the book combines practical learning materials and project-based lessons.

But Adobe Encore DVD: In the Studio is not your average tutorial. The book draws on the experience of author Doug Dixon--an expert on Adobe Encore DVD, the author of other books on DVD development, and a core member of the product's alpha and beta programs. Well-versed in both the use and design of Adobe Encore DVD, Dixon imbues this O'Reilly Media digital book with the unique perspective of an insider who really knows his pixels.

Adobe Encore DVD: In the Studio discusses the protocols involved with DVD files and file systems; pixel aspect ratio issues; common gotchas using both still and motion media; and a plethora of tips and tricks to using dynamic buttons. You'll get up to speed on importing from Photoshop and AfterEffects, making motion video menus available, and looping video and audio. You'll also learn about adding multilingual menus and subtitles, encoding rules, scripting, and even placing Easter eggs in a DVD!

By studying this comprehensive, hands-on tutorial, you will be able to quickly and efficiently develop professional-looking DVDs studded with special effects worthy of a Hollywood studio.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Douglas Dixon is an independent technology consultant, author, and speaker specializing in digital media. He is currently editor-at-large for IRMA's Mediaware magazine, Technical Editor for Camcorder and Computer Video magazine, and a contributor to DV Magazine and CNET Reviews. His most recent books are "Adobe Encore DVD: In The Studio" and "Desktop DVD Authoring." Doug shares his articles and technical references on his Manifest Technology website.

Product Details

• Paperback: 336 pages
• Publisher: O'Reilly Media; 1 edition (September 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0596006004
• ISBN-13: 978-0596006006
• Product Dimensions: 9.7 x 8 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,127,112 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Well illustrated, organized and informative, November 6, 2004

By 

Jack D. Herrington "engineer and author" (Silicon Valley, CA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Adobe Encore DVD In the Studio (O'Reilly Digital Studio) (Paperback)

This is a very will written guide that covers all of the basic operations of Encore. The author starts with the basics of DVDs, then takes you through projects, timelines, menus, links, and into burning DVDs. He also demonstrates how to use Encore in conjunction with other Adobe applications.

I was very impressed with the quality of the book. The illustrations are beautiful and very effective. The text is readable, but doesn't pander like a step by step book. Screenshots aren't used in an overwhelming way.

Given the introductory level of the book I would have liked to have seen a chapter on DVD examples. This would give us some inspiration in what we build and not just cover the how-to aspect. But this is a minor gripe and the book gets along very well without such a chapter.

8 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars well integrated with Photoshop, October 8, 2004

By 

W Boudville (Terra, Sol 3) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Adobe Encore DVD In the Studio (O'Reilly Digital Studio) (Paperback)

Adobe has spent considerable effort to make DVD authoring as easy as using Photoshop. Dixon goes through and shows in copious detailed text and diagrams how you can author your own DVDs. Photoshop users will see some familiar features here, like layer sets to build compound images. Still, Photoshop knowledge is not a prerequisite.

Quite aside from authoring, you should peruse Chapter 2. A nice explanation of the various DVD formats and their history. Good overview of what a DVD really is.

Now as far as authoring goes, the book does show a tight integration with Photoshop. Perhaps the greatest benefit is that Encore can deal with layer sets, as mentioned above. So Photoshop images do not have to be flattened. Which means that Encore is not faced with a flat bit image. Giving you easier control.

Those of you into game programming should consult the last chapter. It talks about special features like secret item menus (Easter eggs) and invisible or inaccessible buttons. Very cool stuff.

The power of this book can be enhanced by hardware developments still unfolding. Like Blu-Ray. This promises to make DVDs of even greater capacity than the current maximum of 18Gb. If so, the methods of this book may give you more creative freedom.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A must for a newbie to encore, March 6, 2006

By 

Halifax Creative User Group "HCUG" (Halifax NS) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Adobe Encore DVD In the Studio (O'Reilly Digital Studio) (Paperback)

This has to be the best companion I have found todate for use with Encore. The book is very well organized and is useful as a step through guide when creating your DVD project. Somewhat familiar with the product, this was a better companion than the information and help files that came with Encore. The book is used constantly to check on items, see the process of how to implement what I want and reference to see if there is alternative to the process I am employing.

This is pretty dry stuff and not really a book one cozy's up to on the couch, but it certainly works to answer in depth the questions one invariably has in any video project.

After looking at a few other Encore books, this one is a cut above. Shoots straight, no padding, answers clearly and in-depth.