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EditPhish
01-26-2006, 02:14 AM
Yes, I read the post about encoding to mpeg-2.

And yup, I'm going to sound like a total noob with THIS question...

I'm using FCE for editing, having quicktime pro, and iDVD (on Mac obviously) -- what software & process would you recommend for optimum mpeg-2 encoding? I've never encoded to mpeg-2 all by itself... it's always been a part of the DVD burning process (like in iDVD)... and have never submitted any films online.

Can anyone recommend some decent software, free or pay (but lets not get into hundreds of dollars if possible)? I really do want to get the best quality possible (don't we all).

Thanks! :thumbsup:
krestofre
01-26-2006, 06:43 AM
Um ... that's a good question. I'm a new Mac user (switched about four months ago) and the only compression software that I'm aware of is Compressor 2, which is only available with FCP or DVD Studio 4. I'm not sure if FCE comes with Compressor or not.

If that doesn't help, then maybe someone else will chime in and we'll both learn something. :)
EditPhish
01-26-2006, 09:32 AM
Um ... that's a good question. I'm a new Mac user (switched about four months ago) and the only compression software that I'm aware of is Compressor 2, which is only available with FCP or DVD Studio 4. I'm not sure if FCE comes with Compressor or not.

If that doesn't help, then maybe someone else will chime in and we'll both learn something. :)
FCE doesn't ship with Compressor... I just recently upgraded to FCE HD, and looked in the box last night before I posted my question :undecided

Someone hopefully someone will chime in with suggestions/recommendations -- I'll be doing some research too so I'll let ya know if I find out anything good...
EditPhish
01-26-2006, 11:48 AM
krestofre,

Just so you know, I'm looking at BitVice -- http://www.innobits.se/ -- as a solution right now... They offer two pricing points too with a "Lite" version for about half the price (I'm still deciding which version to get myself). I found it in my searching around. You'd need separate software for muxing (bringing audio & video together after encoding), but Innobits offers a "helper app" that can do it.

Hope it helps ya... I'll share whatever else I find out.
krestofre
01-26-2006, 11:50 AM
Oh yeah. I have heard of BitVice, now that you mention it. Good find! :thumbsup:
Blaine
01-26-2006, 12:03 PM
I haven't used it because I use Compressor but QuickTime Pro has an MPEG2 conversion. Have you tried that?
EditPhish
01-26-2006, 12:23 PM
Quicktime Pro doesn't have an MPEG2 converter that I know of... are you sure Compressor didn't added functionality to your Quicktime when you installed it?

From the Apple site:

"MPEG-2 Playback Component — for playing back MPEG-2 content (requires separate purchase)"

and

"Can I create MPEG-2 content with the QuickTime MPEG-2 Playback Component?

No, the QuickTime MPEG-2 Playback Component does not contain an MPEG-2 encoder, therefore encoding or creating MPEG-2 content is not supported. The component is only a decoder, enabling playback of MPEG-2 content."

and

"Can I transcode MPEG-2 audio to other formats?

While the QuickTime MPEG-2 Playback Component combined with QuickTime Pro will allow the transcode of MPEG-2 video to other formats, the ability to transcode MPEG-2 audio is not supported."
Blaine
01-26-2006, 01:05 PM
Quicktime Pro doesn't have an MPEG2 converter that I know of... are you sure Compressor didn't added functionality to your Quicktime when you installed it?

No, I am not sure since I upgraded to QT Pro after Compressor was installed.


"Can I create MPEG-2 content with the QuickTime MPEG-2 Playback Component?

No, the QuickTime MPEG-2 Playback Component does not contain an MPEG-2 encoder, therefore encoding or creating MPEG-2 content is not supported. The component is only a decoder, enabling playback of MPEG-2 content."

From FCP when I choose Export> using QuickTime conversion
I get a screen that has the following at the bottom:

http://www.stickypod.com/stickypod_upload/uploads/QT%20Options%20a.jpg

then clicking the Format drop down I get:

http://www.stickypod.com/stickypod_upload/uploads/QT%20Options.jpg

I ran a quick test which yielded an m2v file (video) as well as an aif file (audio)
EditPhish
01-26-2006, 04:35 PM
I'm using FCE not FCP, and I don't have compressor installed (otherwise this wouldn't be an issue), so I don't get the MPEG2 option in the format dropdown.

And Quicktime Pro doesn't do mpeg2 encoding by itself.

Thanks anyway... think I'll end up buying BitVice... it's supposed to do a bangup job and has a lot of nice options.
Blaine
01-26-2006, 04:37 PM
I'm using FCE not FCP, and I don't have compressor installed (otherwise this wouldn't be an issue), so I don't get the MPEG2 option in the format dropdown.

And Quicktime Pro doesn't do mpeg2 encoding by itself..

Bummer :undecided
EditPhish
01-27-2006, 02:05 PM
Oh yeah. I have heard of BitVice, now that you mention it. Good find! :thumbsup:

Hey Kres, (and anyone else looking)... I ended up buying BitVice and it's fairly easy to use (along with the helper for muxing). Seems to do a nice job encoding.

I bought the full version, but I think "Lite" would be fine for most people and be a good alternative if money is tight.