HCEncoder >2 passes?

[qrwe]

Hi,

I've tried HCEncoder (example mirror given: http://www.free-codecs.com/download/HC_encoder.htm ), which gives a fully satisfying result. QuEnc gives pretty good results too. My question is: could anyone explain why not more than 2 passes are supported/implemented in these encoders? I mean, is more passes unnecessary or is it more complicated than that? I've been trying CCE too, where you can set nearly as many passes as you want (where many people suggests 6-7 passes).
Thanks for any help!

[guns1inger]

CCE is the only encoder I have seen that supports more than two passes. With the exception of some low bitrate encoding situations (3 hours + at full res on a single layer disc), more than 2 - 3 passes is not visible to the human eye on existing display devices. The first pass decides where best to allocate the bitrate available, the second pass does the final encoding. With CCE, subsequent passes simply refine the allocation. However, after three passes, the changes are get exponentially smaller, so by the time you get to 5 or more, the changes are almost negligable at a data allocation level (having long since become negligable at a visual one)

[qrwe]

Oh, that explained things. Again, thanks a lot!

[lantern]

Don't forget the price for >2 pass encoding for CCE:

Cinema Craft Encoder SP
Only: $1,950.00

CCE Basic - $58
HC Encoder - Free
QuEnc - Free

That's something to consider if you are only making backups of your DVD collection, especially if you can not tell the difference in an unbiased comparison.