Best H.264 encoder?

[W_Eagle]

Which one would you consider best, amongst all encoders, freeware or paid, software or hardware?

[eon_designs]

Out of all the ones I have tried - I settled for Jesterware. Currently have both DVD to iPod and DVD ripper Pro. Both encode to H264 with fantastic results.

The latest release of DVD Ripper Pro can use all 4 cores on my Q6600 with superb results. Previouse AMD X2 4600 encoded a film in 5-6 hours. New Q6600 does it in 45mins. Output quality is fantastic and able to retain AC3 5.1 sound.

Support is also first rate - any questions or problems and the staff at Jesterware are quick to answer.

I am not saying I have tried every encoder, but this one is easy to use with very good results. IMHO better than most. I would recommend it to anyone.

[Baldrick]

x264. FREE.

[W_Eagle]

Out of all the ones I have tried - I settled for Jesterware. Currently have both DVD to iPod and DVD ripper Pro. Both encode to H264 with fantastic results.

Can those encode HD avi or HD DV files?

x264. FREE.

Can it encode HD avi or HD DV files on the fly (real time)?

[Soopafresh]

If your system is fast enough, you can do real time HD x264, but you'll need an 8 Core Mac Pro running XP to do it.

https://forum.videohelp.com/topic336716.html

A hardware encoder for h264 HD exists from MainConcept - http://www.mainconcept.com/site/developer-products-6/sunryze-hd-6093/information-6102.html?L=54963

[Midzuki]

Soopafresh wrote:

If your system is fast enough, you can do real time HD x264, but you'll need an 8 Core Mac Pro running XP to do it.

A dedicated "supaakonpyutaa" would be even better ^_^

[W_Eagle]

A hardware encoder for h264 HD exists from MainConcept - http://www.mainconcept.com/site/developer-products-6/sunryze-hd-6093/information-6102.html?L=54963

Thanks.
This isn't an hardware encoder, it is an SDK.

[PowerFalcon]

This thread is fairly old, what H.264 codec is the best that is free for 2013, that does 720p ?

[zoobie]

Handbrake

[jagabo]

Still x264. And still free.

[PowerFalcon]

Still x264. And still free.

Any codec in mind, I need a codec

[Selur]

Codec = code and decode,... assuming you need a vfw encoder and decoder, x264 vfw might be interesting,...

[PowerFalcon]

I need a coder, not so much a decoder at this time

[Selur]

then x264 should be fine,.. (there's a library available, a CLI, multiple GUIs for it, a vfw version,...)
http://forum.doom9.org/showthread.php?t=167525 might also be an interesting read.

[PowerFalcon]

then x264 should be fine,.. (there's a library available, a CLI, multiple GUIs for it, a vfw version,...)
http://forum.doom9.org/showthread.php?t=167525 might also be an interesting read.

You referring to the file link you posted in post #12 ?

[Selur]

the link I posted goes to the inofficial vfw interface for x264 (developers of x264 only offer cli and library support), which is only useful if you need a vfw encoder. Personally I normally use the x264 cli interface through a gui.

[jagabo]

then x264 should be fine,.. (there's a library available, a CLI, multiple GUIs for it, a vfw version,...)
http://forum.doom9.org/showthread.php?t=167525 might also be an interesting read.

You referring to the file link you posted in post #12 ?

x264vfw is a VFW version of x264. It will work with any program that uses Windows's VFW API for encoding video. VirtualDub, for example. I usually use one of the command line builds (fed via an AviSynth script) x264 CLI. There are many GUI front ends for x264. Like XMediaRecode, Handbrake, Xvid4PSP, MeGUI, etc.

[addu]

Latest bred of mainconcept or rovi are the finest because they keep sharpness intact even in low bitrates comparison to x264.

[PowerFalcon]

then x264 should be fine,.. (there's a library available, a CLI, multiple GUIs for it, a vfw version,...)
http://forum.doom9.org/showthread.php?t=167525 might also be an interesting read.

You referring to the file link you posted in post #12 ?

x264vfw is a VFW version of x264. It will work with any program that uses Windows's VFW API for encoding video. VirtualDub, for example. I usually use one of the command line builds (fed via an AviSynth script) x264 CLI. There are many GUI front ends for x264. Like XMediaRecode, Handbrake, Xvid4PSP, MeGUI, etc.

The compressor posted in post #14 is the same as x264vfw ?

[Calidore]

MSU has been doing annual h264 software comparisons for years. Here's a link to the current (8th) one:

http://www.compression.ru/video/codec_comparison/h264_2012/

[PowerFalcon]

MSU has been doing annual h264 software comparisons for years. Here's a link to the current (8th) one:

http://www.compression.ru/video/codec_comparison/h264_2012/

Is the free version worthwhile ?

[jagabo]

The compressor posted in post #14 is the same as x264vfw ?

x264 is the encoder. x264vfw is the version built for VFW. Different people create VFW builds. They're usually not as up to date as the x264 CLI builds.

[PowerFalcon]

I'll stick with the x264vfw build

[jagabo]

x264vfw is only useful if you are using a VFW based editor.

[PowerFalcon]

x264vfw is only useful if you are using a VFW based editor.

It would work just as good for online video ? I assume when you say VFW based editor, any editor that is for Windows ?

[jagabo]

I assume when you say VFW based editor, any editor that is for Windows ?

No. VFW is the antiquated, deprecated (by Microsoft), Video For Windows API for AVI files. Some programs still use it though. VirtualDub being one of the most notable. I think Sony's Vegas uses VFW when saving as AVI files.

[Hoser Rob]

I think it depends somewhat on your skill level. There are several very good encoders that are recommended by the really knowledgeable video geeks here that I don't think are suitable for newbies.

For the less skilled I'd recommend handbrake. Or vidcoder ... same encoder, different interface. A number of very knowledgeable people here like it better. I like handbrake better myself. Either one has the best compromise between power and ease of use I've seen.

I would recommend never ever assuming a program like an encoder that's paid software is going to be better than a free one. One of the big dirty secrets of the computer business is that there are tons of paid programs that are just front ends for one or more free programs with a prettier looking interface. Which often doesn't work as well.

[PowerFalcon]

I don't want a 3rd party program to do the encoding. I want it installed within the system, when a program needs to encode video\audio I select the codec and done, did I give the impression that I wanted a 3rd party program like handbrake ?

[Steve(MS)]

I don't want a 3rd party program to do the encoding. I want it installed within the system, when a program needs to encode video\audio I select the codec and done, did I give the impression that I wanted a 3rd party program like handbrake ?

You started out graverobbing this old thread by stating:

"This thread is fairly old, what H.264 codec is the best that is free for 2013, that does 720p ?"
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So yes, you gave the impression.
Beggars need to be careful that they aren't choosy.

[PowerFalcon]

I don't want a 3rd party program to do the encoding. I want it installed within the system, when a program needs to encode video\audio I select the codec and done, did I give the impression that I wanted a 3rd party program like handbrake ?

You started out graverobbing this old thread by stating:

"This thread is fairly old, what H.264 codec is the best that is free for 2013, that does 720p ?"
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

So yes, you gave the impression.
Beggars need to be careful that they aren't choosy.

Yes, I did, what are you leaning towards ?