AVI to MPEG2 converter

[bassmike1]

Hello- searched forums and previous topics and couldn't find the simple newbie reference to "which is the best user- friendly (multi function/ freeware) AVI to MPEG2 converter". I have Nero6Ultra and i don't believe it does this conversion. Don't mind paying reasonable cost if it's flexible and guey friendly. thanx Mike

[pbhalerao]

There are no free MPEG2 converters as far as I know. If you buy a DVD writer or a new Digital Camcorder, they may come with some packages which can create DVD's - but probably not independant MPEG2 files.

Most encoders such as TMPGEnc, Mainconcept, etc. come with a free trial MP2 converters. You may have something like 15 days before the trial period expires. Nero6 Ultra should have a MPEG2 converter called Nero Recode but it lacks in quality IMHO.

If you check from the tools section you can get an approximate price of each tool. I don't think anyone will tell you that so-and-so encoder is the best because that will start a war of words. It is a matter of personal choice.

Personally I like TMPGEnc and Mainconcept.

[gshelley61]

Software MPEG2 conversion tools are not free, but can be relatively inexpensive (like, $50). Most of them offer a trial period where you can check them out for free.

Another much faster alternative is a standalone DVD recorder with DV firewire input (if you are converting directly from digital camcorder tapes). You could also look at a hardware MPEG encoding capture card like the Hauppauge 250. Both options perform real time conversion. Software encoding can be painfully slow.

[mats.hogberg]

QuEnc is a free (and pretty good at that!) mpeg2 encoder. User friendly? Well, that depends on the user...

/Mats

[ulapines]

HCEnc (free mpeg2 encoder)

[Abond]

Most of freeware mpeg2 encoders are not newbee user-friendly because they require Avisynth frameserving. The user-friendliest seems to be VSO DivxtoDVD, though the output is sometimes not so good.
Another option might be bbMPEG, but it is slow. Maybe some one-click packages are somewhat more newbee usable as DVD2SVCD (it has AVI2DVD functionality) or maybe Avi2DVD (this is another package)

[Soopafresh]

VSO DivXtoDVD - It's great, and takes AVI files. Oh, and it is free.

[bassmike1]

To Mats Hogberg:
I tried the QuEnc converter. Upon opening, I directed it to the Avi I wanted to convert to Mpeg2. It did not see it in the explorer window till I specified "all files". then when i hit encode it gave an error message:
"AviSynth open failure Script erro. there is no function named "Convert to YV12" ...aparently can't see an Avi filetype. This is a true ave that will open in Winamp I want to convert to Mpeg. Any ideas? or does this refer to the "user friendly" issue? thanx Mike

[danzeb]

FreeENC is also a free MPEG2 encoder.

[gadgetguy]

I tried the QuEnc converter. Upon opening, I directed it to the Avi I wanted to convert to Mpeg2. It did not see it in the explorer window till I specified "all files". then when i hit encode it gave an error message:
"AviSynth open failure Script erro. there is no function named "Convert to YV12" ...aparently can't see an Avi filetype. This is a true ave that will open in Winamp I want to convert to Mpeg. Any ideas? or does this refer to the "user friendly" issue?

This is the 'user friendly' issue. As Abond mentioned, Quenc requires an Avisynth script so you can't point it directly at the avi. The Avisynth script must identify the avi file and will probably require the ConvertToYV12 function (depending on the source) as a minimum script.

[Abond]

Hmm, it seems the last version of QuEnc (0.61) can open .avi files. Two points - either you haven't avisynth instaled (2.5.5 version!) or you miss the codec.
Probably your avisynth is missing or you have an outdated version (2.0.8 for example).

[guns1inger]

use fitcd to create easy avisunth files. No filters, but you will get a correct resize