Along with Flash, Encore is the one other application in the suite that takes care of the packaging and delivery of your content. This time around however Encore will not only deliver to disk, it will also steal some of Flash’s thunder and deliver to the web. More on that soon. Encore is not available as a stand alone product and is shipped as either part of the suite or with Premiere Pro.

Now in version 3, Encore has inherited the CS3 interface of slick steel-gray tabbed windows. Also like other components of CS3, Encore’s top touting features are broadened industry capabilities and enhanced workflows with other suite applications, specifically with PSD files. While standard DVD was previously its only playground, Encore will now prepare files for standard definition DVD, Blue-Ray disks and even Flash web delivery.

This versatility works in a trickle down method where efficiencies can be gained by certain workflows. For example, if you were to develop a DVD product, and later needed either Blue-ray or Flash, it would require a good deal or re-working. However, it we understand this correctly, you can instead author a Blue-ray disk first, and from that (larger and more sophisticated) project, re-purpose it for either Flash or standard DVD with a few simple steps.

How well this works in real production will have to wait until we have more time to play with it. Also understand that however promising, such workflows often invite the need for some compromise on the user’s end.

So what is this about delivering to the web with Flash? Yes, one of the options in Encore is now taking the files you would normally use for disk creation and using them to instead create what amounts to a DVD style interface for the web using Flash. The beauty of this for many will be that it is all done for you from within Encore and so accessible to folks that do not know Flash. It also makes for a great interface online for items that were designed for disk, like educational material.

Bottom Line:

Encore is a solid performer with increased functionality and interoperability within the suite. One of Encore’s strength is its ease of use. Other authoring programs do offer more professional controls when needed but generally, Encore is able to produce most of what most people want.

Still missing: The ability to import non-rendered video fromAE and Premiere Por; creation of Windows Media 9 HD disks, a popular alternative for computer playback of HD.