Ulead Vs. Pinnacle: Which MPEG Encoder Package Should I Get

[CubDukat]

I've been using TMPGEnc for a while to encode VCDs and SVCD-compatible material, and generally I'm happy with it.

However, I am looking at moving to a commercial solution because I am planning to get a DVD burner, and I was curious as to which of the two commercial packages provide the best quality without tweaking and the most compatibility.

My biggest concern is that either program be compatible with WindowsXP, as I will be upgrading to that very soon and want to get rid of Win98SE.

Also, the resulting MPEG files have to be able to be burnt from within Nero 5.5.x because that's what I'm currently using.

Any assistance would be greatly appreciated.

[EricB]

Why not use TMPGenc? I haven't tried the Pinnacle recently, but TMPGenc is much better than the ULEAD. If you really want commercial, try CinemaCraft.

[rbruner2]

I'm assuming you mean Pinnacle Express for MPEG encoding. The MPEG encoder that comes with Studio 7 is horrendous, and not worth using. However, the one that comes with Pinnacle Express is supposedly much better...though I don't know a comparison.

Pinnacle Express, however, doesn't require Nero since it is also a DVD and CD burn package as well.

[ratt794]

Stick with TMPGenc for encoding MPEG - it is the best out there and equal to CinemaCraft but a LOT cheaper. CCE light is $250 and the Pro is $1999 whilt TMPGenc is free / $48.

As for editng - Media Studio Pro is about the best out there for DV editng.
It will also edit MPEG but that has to be done with great care. I have MSP6 and also Video Studio 4,5, and 6 from Ulead. The MPEG encoding with all of them has issues so stick with TMPGenc and use NERO.

As for getting rid of Win98se - DONT. XP has known compatibility issues with many video programs and capture cards and is a SLOWER O/S from what I have experienced. If everything you have works now then don't fix it by upgrading to XP - you may be sorry. I frequent another forum and have seen many XP related issues so be warned and upgrade at your own risk. Win 2000 would be a better choice right now -XP is still buggy and too new for good support by the hardware / software companies.

[CubDukat]

XP's really that bad? The only reason I still have 98SE is because up until recently, my Studio DC10plus wasn't compatible with XP, but apparently the latest version of Pinnacle Studio 7 features XP support for it. Just last week I had to reinstall 98SE for the third time in as many weeks. The program crashes if I even look at it funny, and I'm just plain sick of it. Almost makes me wanna go out and get Linux.

Upon further consideration, I think I will stay with TMPGEnc and Nero. It's way cheaper and the quality seems pretty decent--not to mention it's free

Now if only I could find my original CD for Nero. Ever since I upgraded to 5.5.8.0, I've been using it in demo mode because I can't find the CD anywhere to enter in the serial number. Looks like I may have to buy it all over again.

Anways, thaks for the help, guys.

[Scooby111]

Personally I haven't had any problems with XP. I've used UleadDVDWorkshop on a regular basis. I do occassionally have problems with Tmpgenc but only after it's completed whatever I asked it to do. In most cases I just restart Tmpgenc and it works fine.
Also if your going to run XP, make sure you have at least 256MB RAM, and I'd suggest giving it more, like 512MB.

Do a fresh install of XP, not an upgrade as well. I've done probably 40 or so here at work and the only machines we have problems with are the upgrades.....

My 2 cents...

[Jens Gervil]

Hi.

As for your upgrade to XP I can only say DON'T, use Windows 2000 instead. I just got a new PC and tried 98SE, ME, XP and ended up with 2000 :-) It's impossible to crash, works perfect with my Pinnacle Studio 7, TMPGEnc, Virtualdub, flaskmpeg, DVDx, Easydivx, dvd2svcd. I can only recommend you use the 2000 version (and NTFS for your harddisk, my DV tapes now comes as one 12 Gb file)