Yeah, we don't do a lot of major edge blending so it isn't worth the cost. If only using single screens or a 2 or 3 screen blend I think the encore is relatively easy to use and reasonably affordable compared to the spyder. If it is a 3, 4, or more blend then the spyder really starts to shine and become more cost effective.
However, we have moved on and are now considering using a full fledged vision mixer like the Ross Vision
http://www.rossvideo.com/vision/vision_overview.html and then just use some format converters to drive any of our "weird" outputs.
We don't know what the answer is yet. We don't have to make a decision for another 3 or 4 months. The encore is a fantastic product strong in the "all around goodness" category and I would recommend it heartily. The ross is a downright bad (in a good way....) video mixer and the spyder is a great mega-blending-madness machine.
All great tools for different uses
I have recently sat down and played on an encore and a ross vision. While the encore is a lot more flexible than a proper vision mixer, there are some definite speed advantages to using a vision mixer and its premium price tag becomes fast justified when you look at the integration abilities into such oddities as machine-farm control, complex tally systems, video servers, and monitor walls.
I think the most important and frustrating thing to learn when you start looking at equipment of this caliber is that there is no right answer and no product that is hands down the right answer. Get educated and pick your poison .
Karl P