Good mpeg2 hardware encoder

[Premjit V.P.]

Hi all,

I wish to shift to hardware encoding. Can anybody tell me a decent encoder preferably in $750-1000 range for encoding captured and edited (but unrendered) dv avi.

I have few more questions

1. Does the hardware encoder only support specific editing software if so
any methods to route the avi from other editing software?

2. Can a hardware be shared from another computer in LAN.

Thanks in advance and merry christmas.

Premjit

[guns1inger]

Look at the canopus range (Storm DV II comes to mind) as a starting point. Most support only a couple of editors for so-called realtime previews, and usually only for their own transitions.

The question is, what do you want to do ? Are you looking for a dedicated hardware Mpeg2 encoder, or a hardware assisted DV board that can assist with mpeg2 encoding ?

[Premjit V.P.]

Hardware DV board + mpeg2 encoder is what I am looking for. But if dedicated encoder is superior I will go for that because I don't require routing to external monitor, high end color correction etc., etc., I just want to speed up my encoding work without compromise in encoding quality but at the same time, I don't want to pay for the accompanying software while purchasing the encoder.

Premjit.

[guns1inger]

You might want to have a look at this round up. which would indicate that from a quality perspective, a good software encoder still shines better than hardware, and that most of the hardware encoders are simply good, not great

http://www.tecoltd.com/enctest/enctest.htm

(Note : This was done back in 2002, however the basics of mpeg encoding haven't changed much in that time)

This one is a little more recent - again a mix of software and hardware solutions : http://videosystems.com/mag/video_mpeg_encoder_shootout/

[wwaag]

Another option is to use a DVD recorder with firewire input. Don't know how it compares quality-wise with other software or hardware encoders, but it sure would be an "inexpensive" way to go. You can create your VOB files (easily converted to MPEG's) directly from your camcorder or from your timeline in your editing program. I use a Pioneer and it works well.

However, it's "real-time" and not really a time-saver over software encoders. Even 2-pass VBR using CCE Basic runs pretty close to real-time in my system. For that reason, I stick with the software approach. Just my nickel.

wwaag