suggestions for a dvd compliant mpeg2 encoder

[uglijimus]

I'm converting my avi files into a DVD.

I've tried procoder 2, which is great, except for anytime in the program I'm encoding, whenever there are flashes of light, (lasers, explosions, etc) those parts will become jerky and extremely pixelated when encoded by procoder 2.

I tried XtoDVDconvert and TMPengc (I think those are the names...!) and neither of them recognized my avi files. I also tried DVD flix but the file was larger than the one created by procoder 2 and had poorer quality. I saw gunslinger's guide on HCenc but it looks a degree is needed to interpret it.

Any suggestions on an encoder that will produce dvd compliant mpeg2 files that is relatively simple? It doesn't have to be free, I'm willing to pay.

thanks

[aedipuss]

the best software encoder has always been cce. the latest version is sp2. not cheap but it's good.
http://www.cinemacraft.com/eng/sp2.html

mainconcept is probably second with procoder 3 third.

[SatStorm]

The best encoder is CCE indeed.

Then, we have TMPGenc Plus 2.5 (good but slow).

Procoder is good for DV sources.

Mainconcept somehow smooths the video. I don't like that, but it seems most LCD screens, screen the results great! A mystery to me why...

Avidemux also encodes easy to mpeg 2/ DVD and I believe the results are good.

Personally never used HCenc, but many say that it produces files compared the TMPGenc 2.5 quality and it is faster.

[PuzZLeR]

I too will echo that CCE is the best IMO - great quality, fast, and produces fully compliant DvD video. It will input almost any AVI file, but I prefer feeding it AviSynth scripts.

You can get the basic version for $60, which is only a few non-necessary features short of the professional version which is $2000. Keep in mind, CCE is used for many of today's commercial DvDs.

People have mentioned things about CCE's multiple passes improving quality, but that's only necessary for an exact file size IMO, and many of those posts are old. I get excellent results with one pass with constant quality, or quantizer based, OPV (one pass VBR).

HCEnc, which is free, is compared to CCE. It's great but the interface is awkward to me so I don't blame you for getting lost. It's more for the hardcore hobbyist, not the professional (although the quality is comparable), and a bit of a learning curve for the newbie.

Yes, MainConcept MPEG Encoder's encodes come out a bit soft, particularly with blending some interlaced content. (CCE tends to be more on the "film-grain" side.) But yeah, MC's content on a big screen can come out "shiny", which isn't so bad. (And the files can be more compressible in some cases.)

ProCoder is good, but I've never found enough reason to justify a purchase of it since it didn't really offer anything new over CCE or MC.

TMPGEnc Xpress is very, very good, but very, very slow. The result may, or may not, be better, but expect 3x the wait for it compared to the speedy CCE and MainConcept. At such slow speeds, a one pass constant-quality or quantizer method is sorely lacking (since CBR is inefficient).

ConvertXtoDvD is excellent for a balance of speed, ease, and quality. Its best purpose is when you need something on a DvD without headaches, such as wanting to bring something to your friend's house. But I wouldn't recommend it for serious archiving.

[uglijimus]

thanks guys, I haven't done too many files with it yet, but it seems that CCE is working pretty well. I can't really tell too much of a difference in quality compared to procoder, but the time is significantly faster. Thanks!

also, thanks puzzler, for the exhaustive listing of encoding software!