Burning DVD/Blu-ray

Anyone know if Apple ever decides to make a stand alone program to replace DVD Studio Pro? I still use it for DVD, but FCPX seems limited for Blu-ray, as does toast. Not nearly as many customization options as DVDSP had. I know Encore seems to be the best, but I don't see it for sale as a stand alone program. Some jobs are now posting for FCP, Motion, Compressor, and Encore experience. It seems crazy to buy the whole Adobe suit for just Encore? Anyone have an suggestions?

I'd be surprised if Apple decided to generate a new DVD app. That seems to be going out, even HD variations of DVD, although I know a lot of people still have those requirements. Personally, I hate creating DVD's and try to avoid it, but sometimes it is necessary.

I'm still using DVDSP. However I'm offering discounts to my brides for not having to make them and the custom cases I deliver in. I see that several of the wedding guys in my area aren't even offering BluRay or DVD. I'd like to make the jump to BluRay delivery however i would have to get the proper burner and reintroduce myself to Encore, which I haven't used in a couple of years and never did a BluRay in. I figured I would go the Disc-less rout first to se what happens. Sure would speed up delivery...but i also like to be able to give the couple something in hand, tangible.

I think some wedding videographers are delivering files with file players like Western Digital TV or Roku and build in that cost instead of disc. The couple feels they're getting a "gift" since they can use the player for other things. I know that's not quite the same as doing a run of 20 discs but one can deliver files via DropBox or equivalent.

With Adobe's Creative Cloud you could buy a month or so of the Apps and be able to author a Blu-ray in Encore and build that into the price of creating it.

Since my main gig is graphic design I plan on upgrading to Adobe's Creative Cloud soon. Seems to be worth it.

Don is right about clients sometimes preferring a tangible product. To that end, consider supplying the media on a thumb drive, or better yet, on dvd DATA discs assuming the files will fit. You can still supply the case with any graphic/photographic images and design so clients have a more meaningful item.

If the video is shot well in high def I prefer not to let the DVD encoding reduce the quality, but to supply a full resolution version along with a more easily playable universal mp4 file.

Thanks for all the feedback guys> I've actually seen a few weddign companies create custom flash drives with cases for them. Seems to be the way things may go. I personally like have a Blu-ray rather than downloading a movie, but that's just me. I may have to look into the flash drive option in the near future.