Hi Micheal
The word on the streat (at least people I've taked to) says it sucks and goes in the trash. I've only seen demos so I can't say yes or no on that. Microsoft has a encoder they are giving away for free only to people who are capable of muxing a HD DVD (with Scenarist). In fact, I'll be at a workshop at THX in Burbank on tuesday for this new encoder
http://www.thxbpl.org/default.aspx
I believe you can buy it seperatly but it's around $18,000 or some God awful number :) Also remember DVDSP to Encore (or any other pro-sumer app) is nowhere near close in supporting the new HD specs - regardless of what they claim. Almost all the titles you see on the shelves were authored in priority software not available to the public - not scenarist. So you can see were a long ways off in making HD DVD or BD authoring something thats here to stay - at least for the small companies and authors out there.
Also check out Micosofts site on HD DVD. It has a start up package to get you going on HDi code writing and some other useful tools - even a forum.
http://www.microsoft.com/windows/windowsmedia/forpros/hddvd/default.aspx
Good Luck :)
