Best MP2 encoder?

[EddyH]

In addition to farting around with CQ modes and the like, I've been wondering... the only mpeg layer 2 audio encoders I've really trialed so far are TMPGEnc's built-in one (fairly quick but awful quality), TooLame (incredibly fast and -slightly- more hi-fi), SCMPX (similar to the first two), and the ancient GNU (reference encoder?) that comes with CoolEdit96... the last one sacrificing speed (about 6x slower than TooLame) and occasionally a little stereo fidelity for higher treble response and general all-round better quality... it easily rivals many mp3 encoders at 224kbits.

However I'm not really in the loop encoder-wise and any tutorials generally don't acknowledge encoders existing outside of video programs, or point me to TooLame. What I want to know is.... does anyone know of any that offer better end quality than TooLame, TMPGEnc, SCMPX, but don't go so far in their (joint stereo) stereo field destruction or complete lack of speed as GNU does? Something with a nice balance would be good, eg getting maybe 17-18khz response at 192kbits, and encoding at 4-5x realtime on a 1ghz PC. I don't need *all* of the quality offered by GNU (though holding onto it would be good) and want a time saving, but don't want to give it up for the high-speed, mauled output of TooLame.

This would be an ideal place for any up and coming codec coders to plug their tools too

And yeah, another poll. I'm in a polling mood.

[EddyH]

(particularly, when I downloaded TooLame to try out, I was expecting something along the extreme quality and customisability lines as the truly excellent MP3 encoder... was a bit disappointed to find something that was basically the TMPGEnc engine with a nitro jet and dual ported exhaust...!)

moved, eh... ok, no prob hanging round the newbie forum too much i guess but it seems to be the only one with the right description for what i do!

[EddyH]

So it seems at least two people like using a different encoder to any i have thought of, but are unwilling to say what it is... why so shy?

[metoo2]

Tmpeg, but not the newer versions of tmpeg. The old versions create the best mpeg2 files!

[sterno]

Other MP2 encoders that I know of include mp2enc (part of MJPEG Tools) and the plugins for cdex and besweet (I think they're based on either toolame or mp2enc, though). If you want to test you might go ahead and try those. If you have vcdeasy you'll find a Windows build of MJPEG Tools under its directory, since it uses them for creating MPEG stills.

[EddyH]

MeToo, no, read the post. I'm talking audio encoders, mpeg 1 layer 2 not mpg2 files / ac3... hehe

Sterno.. cheers.. i'll give that a try. Got VCDEasy sitting around waiting for it's next use so . If MP2Enc is related to MP3Enc from back in the day at all the quality should be 'ok' at least... used to make some amazingly decent 56k mp3s with that ol' Fraunhofer reference encoder, and none too sluggish on the 486 either.
But, the CDEx encoders IIRC have been based off of Lame for quite a long time.

Thanx for replying at all!

[mats.hogberg]

TooLAME if it didn't crash so frequently (on my systems at least). sometimes I resort to wav2mp, which does pretty much what tooLAME does, but only takes 44.1 kHz wav as input.

/Mats

[unclebud]

I use TMPGenc for my DVD encoding and use the highest quality (slowest) settings for the best picture. I use mpg audio set at 224 bit for my DVD audio.
MP3 creation, I use the Audiocatalyst 2.1 ripper and encoder. It's fast, easy and does a good job.

[EddyH]

...
....<sigh>

oh well

Guess i'll stick with the GNU encoder and just get a 3ghz system instead to compensate for it's sluggishness.
Most other mpg encoders compared to it either cut the audio off really low (except for TMPGEnc over 224k, if what other articles say are to be believed... but i need it to perform at 224 or below), or do evil, squelchy, swooshy, tinkly things to the treble that hurt my brain. Like the kind of stuff the average mp3 encoder used to do but grew out of 4 or 5 years ago... you still occasionally get the results floating around on kazaa... it aint pretty.

Guess my previous posting of such got lost: the encoder supplied with VCDEasy is VIDEO ONLY, unless it has absolutely zero switchable options for audio and multiplexing, producing a straight 224-stereo, S/VCD standard stream, for all of it's other flexibile switches.

In this whole world there are only like 4 or 5 utilities, and most are the same thing renamed? I really find that hard to believe... goddamn back in the 16 bit days i could boast maybe eight or nine tools for each different task spread out over a stack of magazine discs... now the internet can't even offer that much. Must be all the porn!

buh

thx anyhow

[pustanio]

Glad I read this post... I was just about to ask a similar question..

Im rather disappointed in tmpgenc's audio

Got a great picture, but tinny sounding trebble..

Im going to try CoolEdit96...

Cheers eddy