• DVD Studio Pro includes a built-in Simulator for testing projects prior to build, and the main canvas window includes title and action safety guides.
• Custom scripts can be attached to buttons or menus, markers, stories and tracks.
• DVD@CCESS technology provides the ability to create Web links and other forms of interactivity, such as opening an external image.
• Supported file formats include any QuickTime-compatible video, audio or still image, including Photoshop still images, as well as MPEG-2, Dolby Digital AC-3 and stereo PCM.
• It can import iDVD projects directly and supports chapter markers from Final Cut Pro and Express.
• As mentioned earlier, the break point for dual-layer DVDs can be set manually, as can the track direction.
• It can write to (and read from) DLT using DDP 2.0 and write to authoring drives using CMF 1.0. (It can also burn directly to DVD-R, of course.);
• It offers the ability to set display conditions (for parental controls or language settings).
• It has analog and digital copyright management, including support for Macrovision (also known as the broken link in all modern home theater setups) and CSS.
• And, overall, you'll find that DVD Studio Pro 2.0 is a smooth-running, intuitive application with tons of contextual functionality and quick keyboard access to virtually every feature.

[an error occurred while processing this directive]The bottom line
DVD Studio Pro 2.0 isn't just a reworking of an earlier version. It's a complete overhaul. And I, for one, can't spot a single flaw that makes me regret this course of development. In every respect, DVD Studio Pro 2.0 provides a richer and more intuitive authoring experience than earlier releases, with a revamped interface that enhances the experience just that much more. And the price point is just unbelievable. With this new release, Apple earns a Must Buy recommendation for DVD Studio Pro, which is our first Must Buy recommendation for a DVD authoring package and only our eighth for any piece of software in any category.

Apple DVD Studio Pro 2.0 is available now for $499 for Mac OS X. Upgrades from any previous version run $199. For more information, visit http://www.apple.com/dvdstudiopro.