Scenarist SD
Scenarist SD is a professional DVD-Video authoring system for Windows.
What Scenarist SD is
Scenarist SD is a professional DVD-Video authoring system for Windows. Its tools include graphical drag-and-drop authoring, a menu editor, storyboard layout, and an integrated timeline for chapter points and audio or subtitle placement. The listed video formats are MPEG-1 and MPEG-2 for NTSC and PAL. Audio options include Dolby Digital up to 5.1 channels, PCM WAVE or AIFF up to 5.1, MPEG-1 Layer 2 up to 8 channels, and DTS up to 6.1. Still-image support includes layered Photoshop files and formats such as BMP, GIF, PICT, SGI, TGA, TIFF, and YUV. Scenarist serves major motion picture companies, high-end authoring facilities, producers, and independent content holders. The Scenarist Live plan is listed at $99 a year, billed annually, although its page also says $99/month. Live includes application use, an annual usage license, updates, bug fixes, workflow enhancements, and technical support. The maker also offers non-expiring license ownership and asks prospective customers to contact it for pricing and options.
Good
- Graphical authoring, menu editor, and storyboard layout
- Timeline for chapters, audio, and subtitles
- Supports NTSC and PAL MPEG-1 and MPEG-2
- Live includes upgrades and technical support
Watch out
- Windows only
- Blu-ray authoring is not supported
- Virtualization on Apple hardware is unsupported
- Listed annual price conflicts with page's monthly wording
Who it suits
Scenarist SD suits professional DVD authoring facilities, producers, and content holders working on Windows. It may also suit teams needing DVD menu and timeline authoring tools.
Verdict
Scenarist SD focuses on DVD-Video authoring, with detailed timeline, menu, and media-format support. Confirm the applicable license and price with Scenarist, especially given the differing billing language.
Plans and prices
From Scenarist SD's own pricing page, checked 4 Oct 2001.
| Plan | Price | What it gives you |
|---|---|---|
| Scenarist Live — Scenarist SD | $99 a year | Scenarist SD use license · annual usage license · updates, upgrades, bug fixes, workflow enhancements, and technical support · Billed annually; page says $99/month |
The facts
Each one read from Scenarist SD's own pages, with the date it was checked.
What it does
- Audience
- Scenarist says its products serve major motion picture companies, high-end authoring facilities, producers, and independent content holders.checked 4 Oct 2001
- Audio formats
- Listed audio support includes Dolby Digital up to 5.1 channels, PCM WAVE or AIFF up to 5.1 channels, MPEG-1 Layer 2 up to 8 channels, and DTS up to 6.1 channels.checked 4 Oct 2001
- Current pricing process
- The Live page asks prospective customers to contact Scenarist with the format they need to author for pricing and options.checked 4 Oct 2001
- DVD features
- The maker’s specification sheet lists graphical drag-and-drop authoring, a graphical menu editor, a storyboard layout, and an integrated timeline for chapter points and audio or subtitle placement.checked 4 Oct 2001
- Hardware requirements
- The listed minimums include an Intel Core i5 dual- or quad-core 3.0 GHz processor or similar, 4 GB RAM or more, and one HD widescreen monitor.checked 4 Oct 2001
- Image formats
- Listed still-image formats include layered Photoshop files, BMP, GIF, PICT, Photo CD, SGI, TGA, TIFF, and YUV.checked 4 Oct 2001
- Licensing
- Scenarist offers a Live subscription or non-expiring license ownership.checked 4 Oct 2001
- Operating system
- The maker’s system requirements PDF lists Windows 10 and Windows 7, 32-bit or 64-bit, for Scenarist SD.checked 4 Oct 2001
- Optional capabilities
- Scenarist Live lists optional RDP support, network licensing, and priority technical support.checked 4 Oct 2001
- Product
- Scenarist SD is a professional DVD-Video authoring system.checked 4 Oct 2001
- Subscription inclusions
- Scenarist Live includes an application-use license, annual usage license, software upgrades, bug fixes, workflow enhancements, and technical support.checked 4 Oct 2001
- Support and training
- The maker offers technical support and tailored one-to-one live remote training, starting with a two-hour session and including a recording.checked 4 Oct 2001
- Video formats
- The specification sheet lists MPEG-1 and MPEG-2 support for NTSC and PAL video.checked 4 Oct 2001
The company
- Headquarters
- Novato, California, USAchecked 28 Sep 2001
Where it runs
- Mac limitation
- The same requirements say Windows may run on Apple hardware through Boot Camp, but it must boot Windows natively; Parallels and VMware virtualization are unsupported.checked 4 Oct 2001
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