How to setup Windows for WMV encoding from Mac sources?

[simonx314]

Hi, I just installed a fresh copy of Windows XP on a dual 3.2ghz quad-core Mac Pro with a fat load of RAM. It's primary purpose is to encode WMVs using Windows Media Encoder. My source files come from Final Cut Pro in XDCAM codec, but I also get requests for converting just about any kind of random media file. I'm really looking for versatility in this machine.

What kind of codecs/software should I install in Windows to be able to handle receiving h264/xdcam videos from Final Cut on the Mac? I understand I may have to export some intermediate cross-platform codec from Final Cut, any recommendations for high quality formats I can export from a Mac and encode with Windows Media Encoder? I already plan on installing VirtualDub. I figure this is the place to ask for help on building a Windows machine for WMV encoding in a Mac environment.

[poisondeathray]

FFMPEG can handle mov wrapped xdcam and basically any video format. It's like a "swiss army knife" of video, and you can find it cross platform (win/max/linux)

If you a GUI or front end, you could use winff or avanti (there's a few others)

Since exporting xdcam is lossy you could minimize quality loss by exporting uncompressed or animation codec mov (huge disc space requirements) , or use lossless compression like .png for your mov (still huge space, but less than uncompressed). Another commonly used cross platform intermediate would be Avid DNxHD, which is very nearly lossless and free.

On the pc, WME should be able to accept most types of mov wrapped videos, as long as you have quicktime installed. It won't accept AIC, and that's the one you should avoid