Videographica: MPEG Encoder Reviews

Last major update: 2006.02.26 – Version History

In late 2000, my company gave me the task of deciding on an MPEG encoding solution for nontechnical users. We wanted to encode to relatively low bitrates with full D1 frame sizes, in real time if at all possible. (See the Encoder Criteria page for more details.) My company allowed me the freedom to purchase a number of different products, and the time to carefully evaluate them all. These pages are the result of that research. You should read through the criteria, because if your needs are different, you may find that you disagree with my assessments.

For each product, I assign points on a 0-10 scale in these categories:

Usability: The level of usability. A good interface and a lack of bugs will earn the highest score; 50% of the final score
Functionality: The encoder's functional range; 10%
Quality: The quality of the MPEG output; 25%
Core Value: The core encoding component's value given the above criteria and the product's price; 10%
Bundle Value: How well the non-core software (video editors, effects packs, etc.) helps justify the product's price.; 5%

Full details of my test material and methods are available here.

The Reviews

• Summary Tables
  
  
• ATI All-in-Wonder series
  
• bbMPEG
  
• CinemaCraft Encoder Basic
  
• CinemaCraft Encoder SP
  
• Hauppauge WinTV PVR
  
• Ligos LSX-MPEG
  
• Pinnacle Systems Studio DV
  
• Tsunami MPEG Encoder (TMPGEnc)
  
• Vitec Multimedia DVD Cut Machine
  
• Vitec Multimedia MPEG Maker
  
  
• Conclusions