Which TMPGEnc do I need?

[ingeborgdot]

I have been using Sony Vegas Pro for a long time now but am not really happy with the down rez to SD from HD. I have been reading on the Sony forum that many have been using TMPGEnc to do a better job. They edit in Vegas, render in native and then use TMPGEnc to down rez. I go to their site and there are many to choose from. Which one do I use?? Thanks.

[DB83]

What a rediculous question. Downrez from what to what ?. You have been on here longer than me and you still do not know the basics ?

Just click some of the links and see what the various programs offer. It took me 5 seconds to find out.

Or, better than that, try some of the free tools such as handbrake or avidemux first.

[ingeborgdot]

From HD to SD. I guess I am just not as intelligent as you and never claimed to be experienced at this. How long I have been on here has nothing to do with my expertise. This board is starting to get a bad wrap for people like you on here. This is a forum. Why do they have it? For stupid people like me to ask questions.

[DB83]

And your answer is equally typical. Ask for more information and you throw your toys out of the pram.

Beats me why you use one of the most expensive pieces of software around yet can not answer a simple question. But I will humour you and hold your hand some more. What is your HD format, codec etc and what is your intended SD format, codec etc.

Without such info what help can you really expect ?

[budwzr]

The Sony Vegas Forum is loaded with old dogs that haven't learned a new trick in decades. Not a good source of advice.

You can't do better than Sony Vegas Pro and HitFilm for sFX. Only your own ability and understanding is your limitation.

[ingeborgdot]

Expensive? I paid a little over 200 bucks for this a couple of years ago and just paid 139 for an upgrade. I don't call that expensive. So, I know I am not as educated as you but man, you are rude. Are all Brits this rude?

[ingeborgdot]

This is a hobby and not something I do for a living or a lot. I am sorry if I have bothered you but why do you even take the time to answer anyone as stupid as I am in the first place. Kind of puts you in my category I guess.

[sanlyn]

Well, hopefully this won't be taken as another smarmy answer (good heavens, people, we're getting a bit chaotic around here)...

The TMPGENC you mentioned is SD and does not encode to MPEG2. For SD encode to DVD you should be using TMPGenc Plus 2.5 . Old hat, yes, but still highly regarded, used by plenty of semi-pros and pros, and better than Vegas at SD encoding. It's cheap enough, but you could get just as good or a little better (for free) with HCenc (but HCenc doesn't have TMPGenc Plus excellent image correction controls). I'm not sure what you mean by "render" in Vegas (render to what format?), but downsampling HD to SD is best done in something like Avisynth or some of the apps mentioned earlier. The makers of TMPGEnc Plus replaced the basic encoding engine in later versions that aren't nearly as competent. In any case, all this processing and resampling should be in lossless AVI before encoding, or you'll end up with pure garbage. TMPGEnc's newer Authoring Works is okay for authoring, but not as talented as their earlier stuff when it comes to conversions...not bad, just not as good as earlier models. The only other TMPGEnc product I'd recommend in their newer line is their MPEG Editor v3, but that likely won't do everything you want. Basically, it's just an editor with a few toys thrown in like dissolves, transitions, etc. But as a frame-specific editor/joiner, it's pretty nice.

Really can't offer more without specific info about the videos you're working with.

[KTH]

It sounds like you are looking for the TMPGEnc software that will just do video conversions (from one format to another). If this is what you want then the software you are probably looking for is "TMPGEnc Video Mastering Works 5". Although I read that some people like the quality of the previous version "TMPGEnc 4.0 XPress" better.

[ingeborgdot]

Thank you sanlyn and KTH for your offerings. I am sorry that my knowledge of all of this does not meet certain standards but I don't do it enough that I really ever get good at it. I tend to come on here and look for advice and try to add to my knowledge. Then I don't do any of it for about 5 or more months and I forget half of the stuff I learned. Yes, I am trying to take video that comes from an HDR-FX7 at this point that is 1080i 60. In Vegas it is HDV 1440 x 1080. So I would render as native in vegas. Then, I would take the rendered piece and put it in TMPGEnc and render it to an SD format. One that would work with DVD Arch. 6. Not sure of what the settings in TMPGEnc would be but that is what I am looking to do. Again, because of the lack of my intelligence I hope I explained this okay.

[ingeborgdot]

What is TMPGEnc MPEG Smart Renderer 4?

[Tom Saurus]

ingeborgdot: I recently have been learning about how to edit and convert AVCHD files. I took a 1920 x 1080 i file, dropped it into Tmpgenc Express 4.0 and I was able to edit the file and exported using the DVD output template. The program did an excellent job at this task. When it comes to converting to mpeg2 Tmpgenc Express 4.0 does a great job. You could probably convert your file using Freemake Video Converter as well. Freemake Video Converter is free but you have to be careful you don't install toolbars and other stuff you don't want when you are installing the program; so please take your time and be careful during the install. If you are interested in converting to .mkv or .mkv I would recommend getting a Smart Rendering Video Editor such as VideoReDo or Tmpgenc Smart Render 4, edit your files, export the file and then use Vidcoder and let it encode it. VideoReDo also has some export options that will convert your edited file to a DVD compliant .mpeg2 file.

To learn about Tmpgenc Smart Render 4, you will notice that Tmpgenc Smart Render 4 is highlighted. You can click on that and that will take you to the Tool Section of the Videohelp website. You can read what some posters here think of the program if you scroll down and read the comments. You will also notice there is a link to the Developer's Website. Clicking on that will take you to their website and you can read more about the program. They offer a 14 day trial. To there credit the Trial Version is more generous than in the past, as they don't limit the length of the video to be exported. However they do encode their name at all the cut points and the full functionality of the program is not available to try. For that reason I have sent some money to buy VideoReDo because they allowed me to experience the full functionality of their program and that impressed me with what the program can do.

For basic editing you can use Freemake Video Converter or AviDemux; but really the best thing to do is get a Smart Rendering editor. The AVCHD video needs a Smart Render because it allows you to cut stuff on a more precise level and because it is more stable than AviDemux.

[DB83]

Expensive? I paid a little over 200 bucks for this a couple of years ago and just paid 139 for an upgrade. I don't call that expensive. So, I know I am not as educated as you but man, you are rude. Are all Brits this rude?

Well if you think I am rude then count yourself lucky that others have not joined in here.

Vegas Pro used to retail at $600+ if my memory serves me. Only the latest version, without the dvd authoring, comes close to your price.

Well you have finally answered the question and have had some information, even from this 'rude' Brit, to go on with.

Now we know, or can assume, that your SD format is dvd compatable you need not really worry about the settings as the program should have a template.

I will avoid the joke about 'smart' render.

[ingeborgdot]

I get mine for a special discount because of what I do. The upgrades are cheap.

[ingeborgdot]

Thanks Tom. I think what I am looking to do is what describe in the express 4.0 which is not longer made. I think it is now video mastering works. This is what someone else says on another forum to do for someone else. This is what I am looking at doing.
Render to native format of the source files from Vegas. Then use tmpg to render to MPEG. DVDA will accept the file & it will look way better than what Vegas can produce. Use Vegas to render out the audio separately.
He never does say which TMPGEnc to use though. If it were smart renderer 4 or Video mastering works 5. I am thinking it is video mastering works 5 though.

[sanlyn]

The v4 is no longer offered. However, everything TMPGEnc sells has a trial version that you can audition, including the old Plus 2.5 (which they tried to discontinue, but their clients raised hell so they kept it as-is). Meanwhile if their stuff doesn't do what you want, there are many free goodies in the tools section of this forum. I don't envy the grunt work of the research stage, but I'm sure other members can add to the list of possibilities -- as if you needed more to think about . There are some mixed opinions in our own reviews of Authoring Works 5, but frankly many people get products with no intention of learning to use them correctly. Those who like v5 keep it. So take mixed opinions with a grain of salt until you try it yourself.

[DB83]

You know, before you consider other software it may be profitable to look at the problems you have with Vegas.

You may wish to expand as to why you are not happy with the output. There are many Vegas users in this forum and there could well be a very quick 'fix' for you.

I would suggest you upload a short sample of your original source (native format) and the same clip at SD format.

'Uncle Nasty' signing off

[ingeborgdot]

Thanks unc.

[ingeborgdot]

I tried uploading a short clip but it says my hd one is an invalid file. Not sure why. I'll keep on trying I guess.

[sanlyn]

If it's invalid it could be bigger than 100MB. What's the name and size of the clip? All that's needed is a few seconds with motion in some of the images.