Best codec/compressor for Mpeg-2/ DVD creation

[mpiper]

I am trying to decide what codec is best for creating DVDs. I use Adobe software (Photoshop, Premiere Pro, Encore, Audition) to create the videos.

Encore comes with Mainconcept's codec, and I purchased the CCE Basic. I need to keep expenses low, but I want the best possible while on a budget (so anything over $500 is out).

I have tried both Mainconcept and CCE, and both seem good. Mainconcept is slow, and CCE can add Mosquito noise. I have found that turning off the Quality setting and setting the flat priority to about 20-22 seems to help on that. (I have also tried Tmpeg, but it is SLOW.)

Does anyone know a website that has an in-depth review or comparison of the available mpeg-2 codecs? I have hear of Honestech, and a few others, but can't find anything that shows a sample of the output.

I can find a "shootout" of the newer Mpeg-4 codecs (doom9) and remember seeing a "shrink" transcoder shootout, but I can't find any straight compressor comparisons.

Any ideas or assistance would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks,
Mike

[BJ_M]

i did this comparison here - a lot will depend on your content

more than anything else ...



https://www.videohelp.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=235665&highlight=

[mpiper]

BJ_M,
Thanks for the link. I just read through the full thread. Of the options tested, the CCE seemed to be the closest to the source image, while the Procoder gave the "cleanest" image.

Your test proved that my gut reaction to the Mainconcept was right, they can't compete.

Does anyone else know about the Honestech or Tmpgenc 3?

BJ, have you tried the new 2.70 version of CCE? Is it better then 2.5 or 2.67? Has anyone heard any rumours about when the Basic will get the 2.70 engine?

Thanks agian, BJ_M!

Mike

[lenti_75]

canopus procoder is the best, by far. maybe, sometimes other are better, but I did not met a file that I could not encode with procoder.

and if you want to do NTSC-PAl encoding....this is THE soft to use.

[mpiper]

Has anyone used the Procoder express? The CCE Basic is 95% the quality of the SP for a fraction of the price. If the Procoder express is similar, it would be a great "bang-for-the-buck" solution.

I still like the CCE accuracy, but the Procoder would be a good option for a "smoother" look.

Mike

[BJ_M]

yes - i have used 2.7 CCE SP .... it has a new GUI and a lot more features - but in many ways it is harder to set up ... It is really devoted to setting scene by scene than before ... the end result though is about the same as CCE 2.5 really - though you can tweak more to get a better encode for a certain scene ... CCE SP IS $1995 though ..... so not really in your range .. I would have to say also - procoder is a very good buy , procoder express is even a better buy if you have really clean sources and dont need all the other features of procoder 2 (they use the same engine) ..

[mpiper]

BJ_M,
If I already have CCE Basic 2.69, would you consider it worth it buying procoder Express?

What is the speed like between Procoder and CCE?

[BJ_M]

cce is faster somewhat -- depends on how many passes and such ..

if you already have cce basic , i dont think buying procoder express is worth it - unless you just want to buy it to get different results ...

[mpiper]

BJ_M,
Thanks for the help. When the next round of upgrades comes out, I may go for Canopus, but until then, I'll just stick with CCE.

Now, if only Premiere and Encore liked CCE as well as they do Mainconcept. . .


Laters!
Mike

[BJ_M]

cce works with premiere

[burnman99]

have y'all tried the latest AVIDemux, or Quenc? They are good fast & free. Also, freenc & Nuenc are free but don't think they encode audio. Would like to see a speed/quality comparison between the free enocders vs the pay ones to see what if any difference there is.

Later!

Rog

[mpiper]

BJ_M,
I have the CCE premiere plugin. But Premiere Pro 1.5 will encode the chapter marks and the file will open in Encore 1.5 with chapter marks and titles already set. All I have to do is create a menu.

With CCE, I am exporting a movie, so none of the new "tweaks" will show up in encore and Ihave to do it in Encore, which is slower than Premiere.

But, hey! It looks much better than Mainconcept.

Rog,
I tried Quenc and a few others, but nothing quite matched what I want. The price is right (free!!), but that is a secondary consideration to quality.

Thanks again!!!

Mike