Any thoughts on best mpeg2 encoding software ?

[Aanarav Sareen]

Best is subjective…

I prefer to use Procoder 2 from Canopus. A bit pricey, but can be used for multiple purposes.

[Tim Kolb]

I’m a ProCoder guy as well…it’s the swiss Army Knife of video file conversion.

…and it does very good multi-pass MPEG encoding.

TimK
Kolb Syverson Communications
Creative Cow Host
2004, 2005 NAB Post Production Conference Premiere Pro Technical Chair
Author, “The Easy Guide to Premiere Pro” http://www.focalpress.com
“Premiere Pro Fast Track DVD Series” http://www.classondemand.net

[Steven L. gotz]

OK. I understand the value of a good encoder. But it has to overcome the fact that you are encoding to AVI first. Right? So it is better even after that?

That would be a significant reason to buy it, for sure.

Steven
Adobe Premiere Pro 1.5 / After Effects 6.5 Pro
https://www.stevengotz.com
Learning Adobe Premiere Pro 1.5 https://www.lynda.com
Contributing Writer, PeachPit Press, Visual QuickPro Guide, Premiere Pro 1.5

[Aanarav Sareen]

> So it is better even after that?

Yes, I think so. I don’t have time right now, but if you want I can create a comparision between Premiere’s encoder and Procoder’s encoder. Also, Procoder Express uses the same encoding engine and is a lot cheaper ($60(

[Steven L. gotz]

I would be very interested in finding out if Procoder really creates an MPEG2 file that is better than one created from within Premiere Pro using the Adobe Media Encoder – even though you have to encode to DV AVI before encoding to MPEG2.

Very interested.

Steven
Adobe Premiere Pro 1.5 / After Effects 6.5 Pro
https://www.stevengotz.com
Learning Adobe Premiere Pro 1.5 https://www.lynda.com
Contributing Writer, PeachPit Press, Visual QuickPro Guide, Premiere Pro 1.5

[Aanarav Sareen]

[Steven L. Gotz] “even though you have to encode to DV AVI before encoding to MPEG2.”

Not entirely true. You can export an MPEG 2 directly from Premiere. File > Export > Procoder Wizard (or something like that)
Take a look at this screen shot:
https://asvideoproductions.com/forum_imgs/procoderss.JPG

[John Hand]

Aanarav is quite correct; direct to MPEG2 from timeline using Procoder. You don’t need to render a AVI first.

In my studio we’ve used and tested quite a few encoders over the years. Procoder (full or express) does NOT do a better job than the built-in MainConcept PremierePro encoder. Your mind may tell you so (because it costs MORE money), but it simply isn’t true. MainConcept is actually very very good.

If you need a “slightly” higher quality MPEG2, then purchase the CinemaCraft Basic, which produces visibly better results than either Procoder or MainConcept (but NOT by much).

All in all, the quality of all these encoders is quite spectacular.

Jon R. Hand

[Steven L. gotz]

I would be happy with Jon’s answer, but if anyone (Tim Kolb) besides Jon and Aanarav wanted to argue this out, I would be enthralled reading the posts.

I didn’t know about the plugin, so that makes a huge difference. But MainConcept is being used by so many companys now. Is Procoder really any better?

Is Jon correct? Or are you guys getting ready to rumble?

Steven
Adobe Premiere Pro 1.5 / After Effects 6.5 Pro
https://www.stevengotz.com
Learning Adobe Premiere Pro 1.5 https://www.lynda.com
Contributing Writer, PeachPit Press, Visual QuickPro Guide, Premiere Pro 1.5

[Aanarav Sareen]

[Steven L. Gotz] “Is Jon correct? Or are you guys getting ready to rumble?”

Is that a challenge? 😀 Give me a couple of hours and I will give you a comparision.

[Ron Shook]

Jon,

[Jon R Hand] “In my studio we’ve used and tested quite a few encoders over the years.”

When you were doing your testing were you using the most recent version of ProCoder? MPEG2 encoding was improved in the last version upgrade. Everyone I’ve seen who’s done recent testing puts ProCoder at the top except for the $2k full version Cinemacraft. Then again, we aren’t talking about great differences.

Ron Shook