I have done a handfull of DVD authoring and 5.1 projects. not the best time i spend but I like doing it. It's really time consuming and requires a ton of extra gear. The money is not really there for mid to small projects so it's more a passion then an income. I'm the only one I personally know that goes out and buys 5.1. I do get clients asking about DVD authoring but the price usually scares them. I can't stress how much time it takes to Author a DVD-V with lots of goodies. It can take up to a week to author 1 title. I hope one day to break even on my investment but for the time being, I'll enjoy my "dark side of the moon" 5.1

I am starting to do more mastering for surround. I really like to do it. I don't handle the authoring in house. I pre master in surround and in stereo for most of the projects. I print my final 5.1 and stereo "master" to a DA 98. That gets sent to whoever is doing the sync to video and authoring.

Hey Mike, what are you using for authoring?

So I guess from the response that almost everyone is still doing work exclusively for CD / Vinyl?

Despite press & hype, it appears that the 16/44.1, 2 channel audio CD is still going strong.

How about the guys in post production? Much 5.1 work yet?

I work in post (mostly corporate) and we're just now starting to get a few requests for 5.1 capability. In fact, just this week alone I've been approached twice regarding 5.1 requests, one at work and one freelance request. These are the first two times I've been approached for this, but I can see more and more of it coming. No, in my personal setup, nor in my studio at work do I do any surround work, but the demand is growing, and I'm beginning to see the need to invest in it soon.

I'm intrigued by authoring. Who's doing it? Is it a niche that needs to be filled? Are there too many, or not enough, people/facilities out there claiming to have authoring capability? Maybe a new area to explore......

Joe,
right now i'm using DVD studio pro for DVD-V authoring. Not the best choice but I spent all my money on 5.1 and all the goodies that go along with that. I'm still researching my purchase for DVD-A and SACD. I'm really ready to move up to the sonic bag of DVD authoring goodies but right now it's a little out of my reach for the amount of authoring I do. Most of my work I do in 5.1 is what you are doing, the audio. I'm fine with that cause the video portion of authoring is a drag. Video, just like audio, takes a lot of dedicated and expensive equipment to look good, not to mention a lot of video knowledge. I try to get a video house to do all my video needs and then I take over from there. I love the audio part... if you haven't heard the dark side of the moon sacd, you should pick it up. each year the releases get better and better.

If you are going to the AES show, maybe we can meet and have a drink...

In Fact we can all meet and get drunk.

and If I had a few days left in NY I would phone ya bud.

Alecio,
Are you coming to NY for the AES show?

Hi bud! I am going to Ny on Sept 20th for 2 days of quick vacation. Then, jump to Spain. I will contact ya PM. Thanks for the attention!