Good Video encoders

[XL3/\/7]

I want to convert some .avi files to DVDs and I was wondering what the best options are, software wise for higher possible quality. Is CCE, TMPGEnc the best way to go, or are there any newer, better programs?
Thanks, George

[RockWood610]

Are you looking to do just a quick avi to DVD, or a full DVD production with making menus, editing footage, ect?

[XL3/\/7]

I will use DVD lab pro when I have my material ready. Only chapters and a couple of menus with a couple of subtitle tracks.

[freebird73717]

You can get quality as good as , if not better than cce, by using the freeware HCenc to encode your video.

Encode your audio with aften then author with software like guifordvdauthor.

If you just want quick and easy with simple no frills menus then you can use an all-in-one like favc to automate the process for you.

[RockWood610]

Try what freebird said... I use Sony Vegas/DVD architech for all my stuff, and they kind of go hand in hand are have probably way more options and will probably be un-needed for you if your only doing smaller quick dvds.

[XL3/\/7]

Where does Canopus ProCoder stand? I don't mind if it will consume a lot of time or if it's fast, complex or simple. What I want is the highest possible quality. I haven't been much into video editing for the last couple years, so I thought I 'd ask whether CCE is still the best. I already have CCE 2.7 so if there are no significantly better options, I will go with that.

[RockWood610]

What I do with my stuff is capture the footage with Sony Vegas, make all the edits I need (wicth if your using DV from a camcorder it will be captured as an avi file), and then render it with Vegas. The neat thing about Sony Vegas is that the DVD architech program is also from Sony, so they go hand in hand.

There are rendering options in Vegas. You render the video and audio seperatly. Audio takes very little time, but video it depends on your pc power.

It will render the avi file in an mpeg2 dvd format, and the best option in Vegas for dvd audio is rendering in Dolby Digital AC-3. Depending on the setup in Vegas, you can get either surround sound or stero.

Its all production software, so you get the full package...

[freebird73717]

I haven't heard much about canopus in a while. As far as the commercial encoders go cce is still probably one of the best. And since you already have cce 2.7 I don't think you would see a difference to warrant buying procoder.

[XL3/\/7]

Ok, thanks. CCE it is then