The number of "trials" for the Minnetonka Audio SurCode DD 5.1 SS Encoder plug-in WAS three. Not sure if that has changed with CS 6. After that, one would need to purchase that SurCode plug-in, add in the S/N in the proper dialog box for the SurCode plug-in, and then DD 5.1 SS AC3 is unlimited.

Good luck to the OP,

Hunt

The choice is simple. Dolby charges licensing fees. You can include that in the basic program by adding the licensing cost to the price of $ 800, increasing it even further, or you can leave the choice to the user. Adobe chose the latter approach, because not everybody needs or wants 5.1 sound. Makes sense to me.

This has been an argument, discussed since at least PrPro 2.0.

Going back to about that point (when Minnetonka Audio offered a discount for PrPro users), Minnetonka Audio basically opened up their books to me, when I inquired about volume licensing. I do not recall the exact prices, or even the discount, but the Dolby Labs' charge was most of the cost, and Minnetonka Audio only made about US $50 per SurCode plug-in.

Now, with the Minnetonka Audio SurCode, one CAN use the DD logo, when certain criteria have been met. With most other 5.1 SS Encoders, they are NOT certified DD, so cannot legally display that logo. Sony, with their Vegas NLE's, seems to be an exception to that restriction. I am not sure what the legal issues are, but Sony does (or did) create DD 5.1 SS, with some of their programs. Perhaps some sort of "brother-in-law deal" with Dolby Labs?

To some editors, having fully legal DD logos is not important to them, or to their clients. In those cases, there are a few other methods (though somewhat convoluted), to Export 5.1 SS AC3's, just not DD-certified.

I used the DD 5.1 SS enough, that I bought a license for each computer, and felt that my $ was well-spent. As you, and others mention, paying the licensing fee to Dolby and Minnetonka Audio, if one never uses the SurCode plug-in alters the price-point of the program, and all users will be paying more, whether they derive any value, or not. To me, it has more than paid for itself.

It would akin to Adobe including the full Red Giant Magic Bullet Looks suite in their program. Price would go up, and many users would never need that, or want it.

If asked, my vote would be to keep things, as they are, and those who want/need the SurCode plug-in can buy it.

Hunt

I do not know about Studio, but it could well be that their 5.1 SS Encoder is not Dolby Labs certified. Some other, consumer-level programs do that - 5.1 SS, but not DD 5.1 SS. Maybe someone from AVID can answer that question?

Good luck,

Hunt

how do programs like Avid Studio ($129) offer 5.1 functionality?

Here's how.

"We've partnered with fellow industry leaders to bring you over $2,000 in professional editing plug-ins and effects."

Maybe both companies are running some sort of promotion, or maybe this is a loss leader for them.  I don't work for either company, so I can only speculate as to the deal that was made.

Be aware that the export option shown in the screen grab is MPEG2-BR, not H.264-BR. The Minnetonka plug-in and/or Adobe still has problems in combination with H.264-BR, but they are working on that.

This will be a function of your Project's Master (set that to 5.1), and then your hardware, plus its settings, and he Audio Hardware/ASIO settings in PrPro. One does not need the Minnetonka Audio SurCode DD 5.1 SS Encoder plug-in to monitor 5.1 Audio - just to Export that.

Good luck,

Hunt

I do not know of a DTS plug-in, but Minnetonka Audio sells a DTS stand-alone.

I edit a 5.1 Project, then output the Audio to WMA-multi-channel, which I bring into Audition in Multi-Track Mode. There I tweak it, and output as 6 discrete WAV files, which Import into the DTS Encoder.

Slightly longer workflow, but the sound is astounding, and better than DD 5.1 SS AC3.

Now, remember that DTS is not a primary Audio source for DVD, so can ONLY be supplemental. I include a Menu to allow the user to choose either the primary Audio, or the supplemental DTS. On most players, one can also make that selection via the remote control.

Good luck, and maybe other will know of a DTS plug-in, but I have never found one.

Hunt

I'm NEVER up early.

But I am frequently a night owl.