TMPGenc - thevarious versions - what are they for?

[tmh]

OK, I've read for a month now and I am going to get TMPGenc for encoding from dv capture AVI to DVD compliant. Now I want to figure out just what it is I need. I see "TMPGenc", "TMPGenc Plus", TMPGenc Express" and "TMPGenc Author" talked about and reviewed all the time here.

Could someone please give me a brief explanation of which does what! Is one a "freeware" program? If so, what are the limitations of that version that would cause someone to purchase another version? Also, I realize the "TMPenc Author" is for authoring, not encoding (I think), but do I need it for simply putting my edited DV encoded to mpeg-2 files onto a DVD?

Thanks as always.

[yoda313]

Hello,

Tmpgenc is freeware but limited to mpeg1 vcd quality after a 30 day free trial of mpeg2 output. (edit the plus is the paid version that allows unlimited mpeg2 encoding)

(EDIT - TMPGENC itself is for converting avi files to mpeg or editing mpeg files to include borders or to resize or cut out video - as well as stripping out the video and/or audio)

I'm not familiar with tmpgenc express but I believe it is a one click wizard version of tmpgenc. Don't quote me on that I don't know for sure.

Tmpgenc dvd author is for authoring dvds. It's a pay program. Definitely worth it. You can do your own menus. But more importantly it accepts vob files from dvds. Though only one audio track.

Kevin

[tag]

One feature of TMPGEnc Xpress, (maybe important to you, maybe not), is that it supports the AC-3 plug-in. Otherwise, your choice is LPCM or MPEG-2.

[tmh]

OK, thanks. I read all the reviews on "Xpress" but I still don't get the AC-3 issue. Does this mean I would be able to encode audio and video (from DV AVI source) in one step, as opposed to having to seperate audio from video then use seperate encoders?

Also, the "edits" above confused me a bit - does the free version include the "Plus" features (mpeg-2) as a trial?

Thanks.

[yoda313]

Hello,

Sorry my fault.

Tmpgenc itself will include a 30 day free trial. Buy it and the mpeg2 will unlock to be unlimited.

Kevin

(the edit program not the author program)

[tmh]

Got it. Thanks for clarification.

[freestyler]

(the edit program not the author program)

Edit program?

TMPGEnc MPEG Editor?