Any FREE software to encode to MPEG2?

[rayban]

Hello! I've heard that TMPEnc is one of the best to use to encode to MPEG2 but I've found that you need PLUS in order to do it which would cost some $$. Are there any FREE encoders which are up to par with TMPEnc based on your experience?

1. What are some FREE encoders that are up to par with TMPEnc to use to encode to MPEG2?

2. I will capture using AVI (for analog) and DV with Studio 8 and then encode using a GOOD encoder before burning to DVDR. What do you all suggest to use to encode to MPEG2?

Any input would be appreciated.

[Karate Media]

I could very well be wrong, but I don't think you can find a free mpeg2 encoder. Everything you have that reads or creates an mpeg2 was made by a company that paid for the rights for the mpeg2 codec. From software to hardware, $$ was paid out for the license.

If I wasn't on a shared dial-up connection at work , I'd check and tell you who exactly owns the mpeg2 license...

I'll let some more knowledgable folks stroll along and drop the science on you...

[housepig]

TMPGenc has mpeg2 encoding free for either 14 or 30 days (can't remember offhand).

as for free, you can try bbmpeg, listed in the Tools section, but personally I haven't had good results with it, and it's pretty slow compared to TMPGenc.

Once you go beyond TMPGenc at $50, your choices become much more expensive - CinemaCraft Encoder (CCE) , LSX & Main Concept aren't cheap.

Check the Tools section, under Encoders - you'll see a lot of options, and you can check 'em out for price and performance.

- housepig

[tphaggerty]

Well CCE Basic is only $58 and it does a nice job if/when you figure it out (plus you almost have to frameserve with AVISynth to do any type of filtering or resizing). Once you figure out this combo, its pretty amazing.

I also have the MainConcept Encoder, which is more expensive, but (a bit) easier to use than CCE Basic.

[yx]

The CCE 2.5 trial version has a big water print at the lower right corner, but the Main Concept 1.3.1 trail version has a very tiny water print at the upper left corner. Both have no expiration date.

[fingernailX]

bbmpeg

http://members.cox.net/beyeler/bbmpeg.html

[rayban]

Thanks for the replies...

Do you know if bbmpeg will work on Win XP Pro?

Thanks again!

[K2]

BBmpeg is the only free encoder.
I use mediator with it, get very good results.
I use it for SVCD, but for capture to DVD I capture directly in MPEG2. Saved me the step of encoding. Orginally I did use it to encode for DVDs but was too slow.

P.S. BBmpeg makes the best SVCD I have seen anywhere. (decrease Q.. to 6)

Yes, on XP pro
to work on XP you need a patch for bbmpeg.

[Karate Media]

So does BBmpeg license the mpeg2 codec and take a loss? Or have I misinterpreted the whole thing? Perhaps the fee is for a decoder, not an encoder; or free if for non-profit uses?


Or maybe I should look it up on my own?



Sorry if this is too OT...


(BTW, I've looked through the tools so many times -- and double-checked before I even posted earlier -- and I still never realized BBmpeg did DVD-compliant mpeg2! I learn something new every day!)

[spiderman2k1]

I think if you go to tool on this site the girst version of TMPG is free verion12a or some thing it's about a year or so older

[Sulik]

If you already have an AIW, you're better off with the real-time MPEG2 capture than bbMpeg.