I still use Render tab function from Ultimate S Pro extension from VASST:

http://vasstsoftware.com/product/ultimate-s-pro/

And I think similar function can also be found in Vegasaur add-on extension tool:

https://vegasaur.com/transcoder

Xmedia Recode : https://www.xmedia-recode.de/download_64bit.php

ShanaEncoder : https://codecpack.co/download/Shana-Encoder.html

Shutter Encoder : https://www.shutterencoder.com/en/

Format Factory : http://www.pcfreetime.com/formatfactory/index.php?language=en

These are all powerful FFMPEG GUI tools.

Xmedia Recode is very powerful and has many options for better trans coding.

@FayFen I just tried it, very buggy, would not use my settings, restarted, this time accepted my settings but crashed on encode.

I know I've been surprised by some AVC camera footage that worked well in Vegas (non All-Intra) but did not know how or why It played so well, given your expertise and knowledge of Xmedia Recode, are you able to create an encoding template for your Vegas family to use that is known to work for best playback without lagging and fast smooth scrubbing?

The default values for handbrake and ffmpeg encoders don't seem that great compared to the easiest to play camera footage I've used

@lan-mLMC et al, thanks for showing me these options. However, I cannot see the option to output into a format I wish, like Apple Pro Res and PCM audio and the size and framerate. The output options on all products here seem limited, to say the least. This includes Vegasaur transcode, which I have. That said, maybe I am not looking closely enough. If anyone can point to a product that gives the granular output control I need, it would be most appreciated. Thank you.

Here's an example of ProRes from ShutterEncoder. You get legal audio for ProRes so it's PCM.

You seem to get the ability to change resolution and conform to a certain framerate (in Advanced features), too.

Format                         : MPEG-4
Format profile                 : QuickTime
Codec ID                       : qt   0000.02 (qt  )
File size                      : 1.34 GiB
Duration                       : 31 s 211 ms
Overall bit rate mode          : Variable
Overall bit rate               : 369 Mb/s
Encoded date                   : UTC 2022-02-27 06:47:36
Tagged date                    : UTC 2022-02-27 06:47:36
Writing application            : Lavf59.17.102
Make                           : Z CAM
Model                          : E2

Video
ID                             : 1
Format                         : ProRes
Format version                 : Version 0
Format profile                 : 422
Codec ID                       : apcn
Duration                       : 31 s 165 ms
Bit rate mode                  : Variable
Bit rate                       : 368 Mb/s
Width                          : 3 840 pixels
Height                         : 2 160 pixels
Display aspect ratio           : 16:9
Frame rate mode                : Constant
Frame rate                     : 29.970 (30000/1001) FPS
Color space                    : YUV
Chroma subsampling             : 4:2:2
Scan type                      : Progressive
Bits/(Pixel*Frame)             : 1.481
Stream size                    : 1.34 GiB (100%)
Writing library                : Apple
Language                       : English
Encoded date                   : UTC 2022-02-27 06:47:36
Tagged date                    : UTC 2022-02-27 06:47:36
Color primaries                : BT.709
colour_primaries_Original      : BT.709
Transfer characteristics       : BT.709
transfer_characteristics_Origi : BT.709
Matrix coefficients            : BT.709
matrix_coefficients_Original   : BT.709

Audio
ID                             : 2
Format                         : PCM
Format settings                : Little / Signed
Codec ID                       : sowt
Duration                       : 31 s 211 ms
Bit rate mode                  : Constant
Bit rate                       : 1 536 kb/s
Channel(s)                     : 2 channels
Channel layout                 : L R
Sampling rate                  : 48.0 kHz
Bit depth                      : 16 bits
Stream size                    : 5.71 MiB (0%)
Language                       : English
Default                        : Yes
Alternate group                : 1
Encoded date                   : UTC 2022-02-27 06:47:36
Tagged date                    : UTC 2022-02-27 06:47:36

Other
ID                             : 3
Type                           : Time code
Format                         : QuickTime TC
Duration                       : 31 s 165 ms
Frame rate                     : 29.970 (30000/1001) FPS
Time code of first frame       : 11:43:11;00
Time code, striped             : Yes
Language                       : English
Default                        : No
Encoded date                   : UTC 2022-02-27 06:47:36
Tagged date                    : UTC 2022-02-27 06:47:36

@Former user 

@lan-mLMC Apple Pro Res

PCM audio

the size

Change the video and audio bitrate in xmedia recode to change the output size. You can use a bitrate calculator like videocalc to calculate the average bitrate you have to use.

framerate

@RogerS @lan-mLMC Okay, thank you, I will try these options. The pro res option is needed, so these granular instructions are appreciated. I will report back the outcomes. Thanks again.

@RogerS I tried ShutterEncoder and was able to output the videos at the quality I need. I also tested and edited some of the footage and the upscaled videos from 720 to 1080 look (and sound) great. Will test Xmedia, but now at least this project is sorted source footage is sorted. There is another, larger project with a lot of footage to re-encode, but one thing at a time. Thanks so much guys!