I don't know if the AGC template is new for the AC3 render option, but does anyone a. know if it is new b. know if using it means we do not need to change settings like many of us did before when rendering AC3. Also, does the AGC actually work, and if anyone's used it, how effective and forgiving is it?

you never *needed* to change settings in the previouis encoder; it just was a good idea for certain kinds of projects.
The new encoder is for those that don't own the pro encoder. It doesn't allow for customization like the older/previous encoder offers.

thanks Douglas. I just listened to a project rendered out to the Stereo DVD setting, and it's great. I previously needed to change settings due to volume being too soft previously. Not a biggie, but it's nice not to have to think about that, since all my projects are pretty much the same.