Best MPEG4 encoder

[Mouseanony]

Hey all,

Planning to convert Lord of the Rings extended to MPEG4. Going to fit it onto 3 80 min CDs so probably around average 1.2mbps bit rate + audio. (VBR of course with maximum pass rate possible). Anyway, what codec do you recommend in terms of quality (not functionality or easy of use for now?

Three main ones I know of are Microsoft WMA 9, Divx 5 and XVID but any other suggestions are welcome. I know some of you rightfully dislike anything to do with Microsoft but since it's for personal use and I'll make sure they don't restrict the rights, not a prob for me.

Also, ignore audio for now.

If possible, please give reasons for your choices, e.g. comparisons you have done or read (give links then if possible) as well as supplementary info like when you made the comparisons, what the source material etc, bit rates, versions, etc etc etc.

Thanks for all your help.

[easydvd]

I've used M$ mpeg4VKI and had much better results than with DivX. Dunno about Xvid. Heard a lot of positive comments though.

Big drawback with M$ mpeg4 is I don't know of anything that can do VBR with it.

Anyone?

[techscalibur]

Mouseanony, here is another suggestion ... try mpegable X4 Live from http://www.mpegable.com

Supports Advanced Simple Profile, AAC. It converts AVIs, MPEGs into .mp4 files and does live capturing (analogue/digital) too. It's the best MPEG-4 encoder software out there, using it for a while and canned the rest. I'm sure it will work for you.

It costs 25 euro, but this month they are giving it away for free.

[easydvd]

I just went to download the proggie you mentioned. Do you have ant personal experience with it? I HATE divx but I like mpeg4......just think that divx is the shitt**st among them.

Any suggestions for optimization of this codec? Can it cap with v-dub? I looked around on the site but there are still some questions I have.

[kitty]

What would prevent M$ from tagging a WMV file with the processor serial number or IP address of the creator of the file? They could track piracy then... scary.

[easydvd]

That is kind of scary when you think about it which is why I don't really use wmv.

on another thought........
I had a chance to test out the mpegable program some. Not too shabby!! It will load and encode from an avs script and a v-dub vdr file. A variable bitrate mpeg4 encoder that you can frameserve into. Hhhhhhhmmmmmmm. This definetly merits further testing I'm interested enough to do that at this point and will post the results I get.

[fingernailX]

Divx 5.02 is the best and easiest way to begin the process. I would encode to Divx 5.02 (3.11 alpha doesn't hold up anymore even with advanced processing) 2 pass vbr with Xmpeg and create a soundless avi. You can then use the latest binaries of the SourceForge project MPEG4IP to take that avi and make it a ISO MPEG4 file. (http://www.everwicked.com/ has the guides needed) The audio will have to be AAC. DO NOT USE QTPro6 as it just doesn't work well enough. Once you have a iso mpeg4 file QT6, Real One with the Envivo plugin, the Mpeg4IP player, Sigma Designs Xcard and maybe even Windows Media player with the Envivo plugin SHOULD play it. Should being the operative word as all ISO Mpeg 4 players and encoders don't have interoperability yet. (as do some mpeg2/DVD products I might add) Soon? new generation settop DVD players will be able to play these files and things will get more interesting. The binaries for MPEG4IP carry an interesting disclaimer ansd is repeated here to keep the Nazis who police these posts happy:
MPEG4IP DISCLAIMER
These binaries are for evaluation testing and for development reference only. They may by no means to be used commercially. The binaries are not created nor distributed by any member or associate of the creators of MPEG4ip. Therefore they take no responsability for it's use. Use them at your own risk and thoroughly read the license before using it : http://www.inf.ufpr.br/~rja00/.