After you complete, preview, and set transcoding options for your project, you can burn it to a disc or build to an image ready for burning or replication. You can build the same project to DVD and Blu‑ray formats no matter which format you select in the New Project or Project Settings dialog box. Encore makes the appropriate adjustments to transcode the elements to the correct format.

If you had imported assets that were Blu-ray compatible, Encore doesn’t transcode these assets during build. If you have problems while building a Blu-ray Image output, transcode the assets with a different preset before building the Blu-ray Image output again. See Supported file formats for import.

You can also use the Build panel to export your project to a Flash format for interactive viewing on the web. (For information, see Exporting projects to Flash format.)

Encore checks for problems before building the disc. If the program encounters errors, it notifies you and lets you view the errors or continue. For more information, see Check a project. For a video tutorial on building your project to DVD, Blu-ray Disc, or exporting to Flash, see http://www.lynda.com/home/Player.aspx?lpk4=65355&playChapter=False.

Blu‑ray and DVD build settings

The Build panel includes three sections—Source, Destination, and Disc Info—that are common to Blu‑ray and DVD formats. Additional sections for DVD Settings include DVD‑ROM Content, Region Codes, and Copy Protection.

The options in these sections vary, depending on the format and type of output you choose:

Specifies which project to use for the build:

The current project appears by default if you are building your working project. Other options include DVD Volume, to specify a DVD project you’ve already built to a folder; and Disc Image, to specify a Blu‑ray or DVD project you’ve built to an image file on your hard drive. Click Browse to locate and specify the project.

Specifies where to write your project:

For output to Folder or Image, specifies the destination for your build folder or disc image. Click Browse to specify the location.

For output to Disc or DVD Master, specifies the disc writer or DLT drive to which the project is sent for burning. Click Refresh to scan your hardware for additional recorders.

Tests the recorder, not the project, before burning the disc. To test the project, see Check a project.

Specifies how fast the selected recorder writes to the disc.  Encore  displays the maximum speed of the drive you selected. You can select a lower speed.

Type the number of discs to burn. If you choose to burn multiple copies, Encore prompts you to insert new discs when needed.

Erases rewritable discs that already contain data before the program writes the new data. Selecting this option bypasses the alert message that normally appears later in the process.

Displays the amounts of free and used disc space for the current project. (For more information, see Check the space remaining on your disc.)

For Blu‑ray Disc image output, Disc Info also includes the following Image Type options:

Write-once, recordable format for high-definition TV recording and computer data storage

Re-writable format for high-definition TV recording and computer data storage

Read-only format for computer software, games, and movie distribution

For DVD output, Disc Info also includes the following settings:

The name entered in the Disc Properties panel appears here. To change the disc’s name, enter a new one.

Defaults to last size used. To change the disc size, select a size from the pop‑up menu. If you choose Custom, you must also enter the desired size in the Custom box.

Select One or Two to specify the side of a dual-sided DVD. (For more information, see Determining disc size.)

Specifies whether the layer break for dual-layer DVDs is set automatically by Encore or manually.

Specifies the source location of the folder containing ROM content. (This setting also applies to Blu‑ray discs even though it is not listed under Blu‑ray settings.) For information, see Add ROM content to the disc.

Specifies regions allowed for viewing the DVD. Region codes must be enabled by a professional replicating facility. (This option is not available for Blu‑ray discs.) For more information, see Set region coding for replicated DVDs.

Specifies a choice of different forms of copy protection that can be set during professional replication of the DVD. (This option is not available for Blu‑ray discs.) For information, see Set copy-protection for replicated DVDs.

AVCHD passthrough

Encore does not transcode Blu ray legal (as per BD spec) AVCHD files (MTS,M2TS) when building a blu ray.

Specify a layer break for dual-layer DVDs

Dual-layer DVDs must have a layer break—the point at which the DVD player switches from the first layer to the second. Ideally, Encore creates the layer break (also called layer transition) between timelines or menus, making a smooth transition (since it jumps layers at a point where no content is playing). If it cannot find a spot that satisfies these requirements, Encore enables the Layer Break setting. When the Layer Break setting is enabled, you can specify the break manually, or let the software do it automatically.

Replicating discs

To produce multiple copies of your DVD or Blu‑ray disc, you can burn them yourself, either in Encore or by using a third-party mastering application. Producing them in Encore works best for limited quantities and requires the appropriate hardware or software. However, if you require a large quantity of discs, use a professional replication facility for mass production. Most replication facilities can accept files in DLT format or as single-layer DVD images (without copy protection applied). For specific information, contact your replication facility.