Scenarist
Scenarist, LLC is a Novato, California-based developer of professional authoring software for DVD, Blu-ray, and Ultra HD Blu-ray formats. It serves major motion picture studios, premium authoring facilities, and independent content holders worldwide, with claimed use on the majority of commercially released discs.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1996
- HeadquartersNovato, United States
- Headcount1–10
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingSoftware
What Scenarist does
Scenarist, LLC is a Novato, California-based developer of professional authoring software for physical optical media formats: DVD-Video (Scenarist SD), Blu-ray Disc (Scenarist BD), and Ultra HD Blu-ray (Scenarist UHD), with an Adobe Photoshop plug-in (Scenarist Designer) layered on top. The company's tools are reported to author the majority of commercially released discs worldwide, with claims that more than 95% of major movie titles are authored using Scenarist products and that Scenarist UHD is the first BDA-compliant UHD authoring application. Technical depth is concentrated in proprietary muxing and encoder-orchestration engines, direct integration with HEVC/HDR encoders (ATEME TITAN, bundled into Scenarist Live from September 2022), immersive audio encoders (DTS:X Encoder Suite), and Dolby formats, with staff active in the Blu-ray Disc Association and contributing to format specifications.
The business generates revenue through a mix of perpetual software licenses, software update fees (in the order of $199–$499 per release), the DTS:X Encoder Suite (priced at $1,495 standard), an annual subscription program (Scenarist Live, launched October 2020) and most recently Scenarist Cloud, an AWS-hosted authoring platform (May 2023). Distribution runs through a global network of authorized resellers (Italy, Spain, Portugal, Germany, the Netherlands, the UK, India, China, Singapore, Japan, Australia, Brazil) combined with direct email sales. The customer base comprises major motion picture studios, premium authoring facilities (Deluxe, LADB, VDM, Digital Blu, Imagion AG, etc.) and independent content holders, served via both direct relationships and reseller channels.
The company operates with a very lean team of 1–10 employees under managing partners Rolf Hartley and Chris Neely, with Rob Aubey leading application engineering and Tone Bui leading technical operations. It has been privately held since its 2014 incorporation as Scenarist, LLC following acquisition of the Scenarist brand from Rovi Corporation, and reports no venture or private equity funding. Pricing and product cadence (Scenarist SD v2026 in November 2025, ongoing Scenarist BD and UHD updates through 2024) indicate continuous operations but limited publicly verifiable growth signals.
Scenarist firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Scenarist
- Legal name
- Scenarist, LLC
- Website
- https://scenarist.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1996
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 1–10 employees
- Short description
- Scenarist, LLC is a Novato, California-based developer of professional authoring software for DVD, Blu-ray, and Ultra HD Blu-ray formats. It serves major motion picture studios, premium authoring facilities, and independent content holders worldwide, with claimed use on the majority of commercially released discs.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Where Scenarist is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Novato
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices2 records
Markets served
Scenarist business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Software
- Cost components
- Personnel, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Operations, Infrastructure
Revenue model
- Software Subscriptions (Scenarist Live): Annual subscription program providing access to all Scenarist authoring software, software updates, upgrades, new features, technical support, and bundled Ateme TITAN encoding. Subscription enables continuous access to the latest software versions and saves approximately 50% compared to purchasing software upgrades and support separately.
- Non-Expiring Perpetual Licenses: Traditional one-time purchase of non-expiring software licenses for Scenarist SD, BD, and UHD authoring systems. Customers can add seats of authoring and upgrade their subscription as needed.
- Software Upgrades and Updates: Software version upgrades, bug fixes, and patches sold to customers with permanent licenses or expired maintenance. Prices vary by product; e.g., Scenarist BD v5.8 Software Update Only at $199.99 or with 1-year email support at $499.99.
- DTS:X Encoder Suite: Sale of DTS:X Encoder Suite for creating immersive DTS:X audio bitstreams. Standard pricing at $1,495; special upgrade pricing for existing DTS Master Audio Suite customers at $795.
- Professional Training and Template Creation Services: Professional training services and template creation services to help customers get current on new techniques and workflows that reduce authoring effort.
- ATEME TITAN Encoding (via Subscription): Ateme TITAN 4K HDR encoding platform bundled within Scenarist Live subscriptions. Added to the subscription program in September 2022, eliminating cost barriers to 4K encoding including Dolby Vision for Ultra HD Blu-ray authoring.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Subscription | Annual | Scenarist Live Annual Subscription |
| One time/ perpetual license | Pay-as-you-go | Software Version Upgrades (Non-Subscription) |
| One time/ perpetual license | Pay-as-you-go | Non-Expiring Perpetual License |
| Subscription | Annual | Scenarist Live with Ateme TITAN |
Go-to-market motion3 records
Distribution channels2 records
Marketing channels8 records
Scenarist product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Scenarist develops and sells professional authoring software and tools used by movie studios, post-production facilities, and content holders to create DVD-Video, Blu-ray Disc, and Ultra HD Blu-ray titles. Its product suite covers interactive menu design (BD-J/HDMV), simulation, multiplexing of advanced audio/video formats (Dolby Vision HDR, DTS-HD), and verification, complemented by cloud-based authoring services and training.
Product overview
Scenarist is the world's leading developer of professional disc authoring technology, offering a suite of products for DVD-Video, Blu-ray Disc, and Ultra HD Blu-ray formats. The core product line includes Scenarist SD (DVD authoring, 30-year legacy), Scenarist BD (Blu-ray Disc authoring), and Scenarist UHD (Ultra HD Blu-ray authoring). Supporting tools include Scenarist Designer (Adobe Photoshop plug-in for menu design), and the company distributes ATEME TITAN (encoding platform) and DTS:X Encoder Suite (immersive audio). Distribution models include perpetual licenses and Scenarist Live subscription program. Scenarist Cloud provides cloud-based authoring on AWS. The products are the Hollywood standard with over 95% of major movie titles authored using Scenarist technology.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- Scenarist UHD: Ultra HD Blu-ray Disc authoring system - the industry standard for 4K UHD disc authoring.
- Scenarist BD
- Scenarist SD
- Scenarist Designer
- Scenarist Cloud
- Scenarist Live
- DTS:X Encoder Suite
Quantifiable outcome
- 50% faster muxing in Scenarist BD v8
- +5 more outcomes
Companies that use Scenarist
Customer profileNamed customers8 records
Segments3 records
Ideal customer profiles1 record
Scenarist technology and API
TechnologyAPI detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Integration3 records
Feature7 records
Scenarist partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Ten partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- SamsungcoreSamsung collaborated with Scenarist, Deluxe, and ATEME to complete the HDR10+ ecosystem for Ultra HD Blu-ray at NAB 2018. Samsung Research provided HDR10+ dynamic metadata technology that enables 4K UHD TVs to adjust on a scene-by-scene or frame-by-frame basis. Scenarist developed HDR10+ support in Scenarist UHD authoring system to enable the complete end-to-end HDR10+ production workflow.
- GlassThumbminorGlassThumb, developer of innovative streaming technology and original developer of the NetBlender brand authoring software, collaborated with Scenarist in September 2017 to continue and expand the NetBlender blog site for DoStudio users. The collaboration benefits hundreds of authoring service providers worldwide to share knowledge about CE standards and new technology.
- ATEMEcoreATEME joined the Scenarist UHDG Advisory Group in June 2015 and a commercial bundling agreement was announced at IBC in September 2015 to bundle the ATEME TITAN File multi-codec transcoding system with Scenarist UHD Workgroup. ATEME provides HEVC HDR and HFR encoding technology. TITAN is used to create the vast majority of Ultra HD Blu-ray titles worldwide. In September 2022, ATEME TITAN was added to the Scenarist Live subscription program, making 4K HDR encoding including Dolby Vision immediately affordable for any size production facility.
- Dolby LaboratoriescoreDolby Laboratories joined the Scenarist UHDG Advisory Group in April 2015. Scenarist collaborates with Dolby to integrate Dolby Vision HDR for Ultra HD Blu-ray authoring. Dolby Vision provides 12-bit video quality with expanded dynamic range and remarkable color depth. VDM delivered the first Dolby Vision Ultra HD Blu-ray title in France (Paddington 2) using Scenarist UHD. Digital Blu Post also expanded services to support Dolby Vision using Scenarist UHD.
- DTS, Inc.coreDTS joined the Scenarist UHDG Advisory Group in April 2015 as a Blu-ray Disc Association board member. A technology integration and distribution partnership was announced to include the DTS:X Encoder and DTS BD Digital Bridge Tool Suite with Scenarist BD Professional. DTS:X Encoder delivers immersive object-based audio for Blu-ray Disc and Ultra HD Blu-ray. In July 2018, Scenarist BD v8 included the DTS:X encoder for free. DTS:X is used in over 95% of Blu-ray titles.
- Deluxe Entertainment Services GroupcoreDeluxe joined the Scenarist UHDG in April 2015 as the first UHDG member. Deluxe provides key testing, replication QC, and glass mastering for Scenarist's Ultra HD Blu-ray authoring system. Deluxe authored the majority of commercially released UHD Blu-ray launch titles. Expanded its capacity with Scenarist UHD in 2016 to service new orders by major studios. In 2017, Deluxe's compression and authoring services became Dolby Vision approved for UHD Blu-ray.
- Blu-ray Disc Association (BDA)coreScenarist works with the Blu-ray Disc Association (BDA) to help define, test, and implement every aspect of the disc format specifications. Scenarist UHD received formal BDA certification in November 2015 as meeting all requirements for producing Ultra HD Blu-ray titles. BDA chairman Victor Matsuda has publicly commended Scenarist's investment in new technologies supporting physical media.
- Q-TEC, Inc.minorQ-TEC, Inc. in Tokyo, Japan is a member of the UHDG focus group and UHDG Advisory Group. A major content authoring facility engaged in UHD content creation that provides workflow testing and feedback during critical phases of Scenarist's Ultra HD Blu-ray authoring system development.
- GLS StudiosminorGLS Studios GmbH in Munich, Germany is a member of the UHDG focus group. Leading authoring facility engaged in UHD content creation that provides workflow testing and feedback during critical phases of Scenarist's Ultra HD Blu-ray authoring system development.
- BluFocusminorBluFocus, a certification and testing facility for the entertainment industry, is a UHDG Advisory Group member. Provides advanced quality assurance and quality control services including compatibility, functionality, qualitative review, verification and training services to Scenarist customers.
Scale indicators6 records
Recent moves7 records
Expansion highlights5 records
Scenarist competitors and assessment
Company assessmentBroad incumbents
- Apple: Apple's Compressor and Final Cut Pro are used in professional video post-production pipelines that can feed into Blu-ray/UHD Blu-ray mastering. Apple is a broad incumbent in professional video rather than a direct disc authoring competitor.
- Xperi (DTS): DTS, now part of Xperi, developed the DTS:X immersive audio format and DTS:X Encoder Suite that Scenarist integrates and resells. DTS:X is used in over 95% of Blu-ray titles, making Xperi a deeply overlapping standards holder in Scenarist's audio pipeline.
- Blackmagic Design (DaVinci Resolve): DaVinci Resolve is a leading color grading and finishing tool used in the same high-end post-production workflows that produce Blu-ray and UHD Blu-ray masters. Blackmagic Design is a broader incumbent in professional video rather than a disc authoring specialist.
- Dolby Laboratories: Dolby provides the Dolby Vision HDR format integrated into Scenarist UHD and works with Scenarist on Ultra HD Blu-ray authoring workflows. Dolby is both a UHDG partner and a broader incumbent in HDR/immersive audio for home entertainment.
- Avid Technology: Avid's Media Composer and Pro Tools are widely used in film/TV post-production and audio mastering pipelines that eventually feed Scenarist for disc authoring. Avid is a broad incumbent in professional media production rather than a direct disc authoring competitor.
- Adobe: Adobe's Media Encoder and broader Creative Cloud video tools overlap with Scenarist Designer (a Photoshop plug-in) and are used in professional video workflows that feed into disc authoring. Adobe is a broad incumbent rather than a direct disc authoring competitor.
Direct peers
- GlassThumb (formerly NetBlender / DoStudio): GlassThumb/NetBlender develops DoStudio Blu-ray authoring software, a directly competing professional authoring tool. GlassThumb has collaborated with Scenarist (continuing the NetBlender blog for DoStudio users), confirming it as an overlapping competitor in the same niche.
- Rovi Corporation (now TiVo): Rovi was the previous owner of the Scenarist brand and authored DVD/Blu-ray technologies through its Sonic Solutions heritage. Scenarist, LLC acquired the Scenarist brand from Rovi in September 2014, making Rovi the historical direct peer and originator of the technology stack.
- ATEME: ATEME provides the TITAN multi-codec HEVC/H.264 encoding platform that is bundled with Scenarist UHD and Scenarist Live subscriptions. ATEME's encoder is used to create the vast majority of UHD Blu-ray titles worldwide, making it both a core partner and a closely overlapping technology peer.
- CyberLink: CyberLink produces PowerProducer and Power2Go, which are the closest direct competitors to Scenarist for consumer and prosumer Blu-ray and UHD Blu-ray authoring. CyberLink is also a member of the Scenarist UHDG advisory group, indicating direct overlap in the disc authoring market.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat6 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Scenarist social profiles
Digital presenceScenarist financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Scenarist leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Scenarist funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Scenarist M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Scenarist
What does Scenarist do?
Scenarist develops and sells professional authoring software and tools used by movie studios, post-production facilities, and content holders to create DVD-Video, Blu-ray Disc, and Ultra HD Blu-ray titles. Its product suite covers interactive menu design (BD-J/HDMV), simulation, multiplexing of advanced audio/video formats (Dolby Vision HDR, DTS-HD), and verification, complemented by cloud-based authoring services and training.
Is Scenarist a public or private company?
Scenarist is a private company. It is classified as founder individual operated bootstrapped and is currently operating.
When was Scenarist founded?
Scenarist was founded in 1996. It employs 1 to 10 people.
Where is Scenarist based?
Scenarist is headquartered in Novato, United States, in the North America region.
How does Scenarist make money?
Six revenue lines are on record. Software Subscriptions (Scenarist Live) is the primary driver. The others are non-Expiring Perpetual Licenses, software Upgrades and Updates, DTS:X Encoder Suite, professional Training and Template Creation Services and ATEME TITAN Encoding (via Subscription).
Who are Scenarist's main competitors?
Broad incumbents on record are Apple, Xperi (DTS), Blackmagic Design (DaVinci Resolve), Dolby Laboratories, Avid Technology and Adobe. Direct peers are GlassThumb (formerly NetBlender / DoStudio), Rovi Corporation (now TiVo), ATEME and CyberLink.
Does Scenarist have an API?
No public API is recorded for Scenarist.