other MPEG encoders vs Mainconcept "standard"

timmcallister wrote on 7/5/2006, 10:47 AM

I have Vegas Movie Studio, it comes with mainconcept "standard" and the "studio" products do not support the Mainconcep "pro" version.

While the standard version does a good job of a lot of stuff, there is some material with just too many artifacts to accept without a fight! I assume everyone here knows that the mainconcept MPEG2 encoder provides a few presets, but allows NO modification of settings.

I am producing DVDs with 30-45 minutes of content, so it seems to me (the amateur I am) that I could compromise small size (size is not an issue for 30 minute DVDs) for better quality.

So... Any recomendations for an easy to use MPEG2 encoder that may/will provide better results that the "standard" version of mainconcept?

The few encoders I've looked at are moderately complicated. Yes, I know someone will say "take the time to learn the tools" but I have very little time and am almost willing to accept the output of mainconcept standard, but... Is there something easy to use (simple workflow and interface) that will provide better results (at the cost of size)?

THANKS

Comments

jrazz wrote on 7/5/2006, 10:55 AM

Maybe not what you are looking for, but B&H has Vegas 6 for 149 USD and if Vegas 7 is close, you may be eligible for a free upgrade if you purchase 6.

j razz

Former user wrote on 7/5/2006, 11:23 AM

Don't know how much you want to spend but this is a very good software MPEG (and other formats) encoder.

http://tmpgenc.pegasys-inc.com/en/product/te4xp.html

farss wrote on 7/6/2006, 1:42 AM

With DVDs containing only 30-45 minutes of content you can encode at the maximum bitrate that the players can cope with. In general better encoders (think expensive too) have the greatest advantage at lower bitrates. I suspect your problem is setting the encoder an impossible task.

For example video noise gobbles up bandwidth, leaving not much for anything else. The biggest single factor in determining the output quality of an mpeg-2 encoder is what goes into it.

We've fitted over 3 hours of sports onto a SL DVD, looked perfect except for one brief section when I'd used a dissolve, doubt anyone would have noticed though. Trick was this video was shot with a high end camera on a good tripod and no noise.

Bob.

timmcallister wrote on 7/7/2006, 6:32 PM

DaveT2 - I downloaded TMPGEnc xpress. It has a nice looking interface and wizard that gives the apperance of being easy. However, I found the "templates" for the different output types (quicktime, WMV, etc) encoded enormously large files. I spent a while tweaking, but never really got anywhere. If this thing came with usable templates, I would probably buy it. But... I don't want to take the time to deal with this.

Bob - thanks for the background, makes perfect sense when explained. Problem with Mainconcept "standard" is you have NO ability to change ANY setting. And Vegas studio won't run the "pro" version.

thanks folks!!!!!!!