After upgrading to VP 17, I no longer see (on my PC at least) an option to render to Main Concept MP4. What happened to that option and what are the suggested alternatives to render an HD video to MP4.H264 (or .H265 if available)?
Use Magix AVC encoder instead if you need H.264 or Magix HEVC if you need H.265.
You can re-enable old Mainconcept AVC encoder in settings: click on Options | Preferences while Shift is preset, switch to Internal tab, search for 'Enable Legacy Mainconcept AVC...' and change value to TRUE. Restart VP
P.S. 3rd party render options like Voukoder also possible.
If you use Magix / Mainconcept, make sure you keep the minimum bitrate nice and high, maybe 1/3 of your chosen maximum. Otherwise it will look dirty in fades, transitions, and shadows.
So I'm guessing there is not a big need to re-enable the Main Concept MP4 encoder, as the Magix AVC is equal or better? Thanks.
That option to render only by Mainconcept is included in that Magix AVC render codec:
In VP-16, the MC (Main Concept) encoder is available in the Magix AVC settings. The legacy MC GUI and settings can be enabled in the (hidden) internal menu as was previously stated. I'm not sure about VP-17, but it s probably the same.
Whatever the case, Sony AVC is cleaner at modest bitrates.
That's what I use for YT, and x264 for my own work. I only use x265 / HEVC for 10 bit HDR, which isn't often.
So I'm guessing there is not a big need to re-enable the Main Concept MP4 encoder, as the Magix AVC is equal or better? Thanks.
MC AVC in VP11 produces better quality than MC AVC in VP12 and above (including VP17 where it should be enabled in deprecated features) and Magix AVC.
In any case, Magix AVC is faster than MC AVC.
If OP upgraded from VP12+ to VP17, Magix AVC should be used as it is faster with the same quality.
If OP upgraded from VP11- to VP17 -- I'd suggest to switch to different encoder. Even Sony AVC is better in my taste (but slower).