MPEG Video Encoders - Features & Info
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ProductMegaPEG Batch EncoderBitPackPrimeView Duet ProDV-2100True VideoPublisher 200MPEG FusionMPEG ForgeVSTOR 150DVD Studio 4.2.1DesktopDVDMPEGXpress 2000Butane II/ Argon
EncodingSoftwareHardwareHardwareHardwareHardwareHardwareHardwareHardwareHardwareHardwareHardwareHardwareHardware
PlatformsWin 95/98/NTWin 95/NTWin NTWin NTWin 95/NTMacWin 95/NTWin 95/NTWin NTPowerMacMac G3Win NTPowerMac, Win 95/NT
VBR []2 pass1 pass[][]2 pass[][][]2 & 3 pass2 & 3 pass1, 2 & 3 pass[]
Bit Rate Range360 kbps to 12 Mbps2 to 9 Mbps0.384 to 16Mbps3 to 15 Mbps0.3 to 15 Mbps0.4 to 15 Mbps1 to15 Mbps1 to 10 Mbps3 to 15 Mbps1 to 11 Mbps1 to 15 Mbps1 to 40 Mbps0.56 to 15 Mbps
Frame Rates Supported23.97, 24, 25, 29.97, 30, 50, 59.97, 60 fps24, 30 fps24, 25, 29.97, 30 fps25, 29.97 fps23.97, 24, 25, 29.97, 30 fps24.97, 29.97 fps24, 24.97, 25, 29.97, 30 fps24, 24.97, 25, 29.97, 30 fps23.97, 24, 25, 29.97, 30 fps24, 25, 29 fps24, 25, 29 fps23.97, 24, 25, 29.97, 30 fps25, 29.97, 30 fps
Raster Sizes Supported720, 640 x 480, 360 x 288, 240720, 704, 352, x 525, 625720, 704, 640, 544, 480, 352 x 480, 720, 704, 544, 480, 352 x 576720, 704, 544, 480, 352 x 480, 576, 352 x 288, 240?352, 704 x 480, 720 x 480, 576, 352 x 576TKTK352 x 240, 288, 480, 576, 704 x 480, 576720, 352 x 480, 576, 320 x 240720, 352 x 480, 577, 321 x 240720, 704, 640, 544, 480, 352 x 480, 352, 320 x 240, 720, 704, 544, 480, 352 x 576, 352 x 28880 x 64 up to 720 x 576
Filtering/Noise Reduction Gaussian and median filteringAdaptive Noise and Film grain reducer, Brick Wall FilteringLow Pass, 3D,control of video parameters[]2DTK2D2D2D, 3D, deinterlace[][]Low Pass, 2DLow Pass
I-Frame Only Optionyesyesyesyes[]yes[][]yes[][]yesyes
Aspect Ratios Supported4:3, 16:94:3, 16:94:3, 16:94:34:3, 16:94:3, 16:91:1, 4:3, 16:9, 2.21: 11:1, 4:3, 16:9, 2.21: 14:3, 16:94:3, 16:94:3, 16:94:3, 16:94:3
Real-time Previewyesyesyes[]yesyesyesyesyesyesyesyesyes
Real-time Audio/Video Encoding[]/[][]/yesyes/yesyes/yesyes/yesyes/yesyes/yesyes/yesyes/yesyes/yesyes/yesyes/yesyes/yes
Audio InputAESAES/EBU, AnalogAES/EBUAnalogAES/EBU, AnalogAES/EBU, AnalogAnalog, AES/EBUAnalog, AES/EBUAnalog, AES/EBUAIFF, AES/EBU, AnalogAIFF, AES/EBU, AnalogAES/EBUAES/EBU
Audio OutputMPEGAC-3MPEG, AC-3MPEGMPEGMPEG, AC-3, WAVMPEG, AIFF, WAVMPEG, AIFF, WAVMPEGMPEG, AC-3, AIFFMPEG, AC-3, AIFFMPEG, AC-3?
Video InputAVI, QuickTimeSDISDI, YUV, Y/C, CompositeComposite, Y/CSDI, Y/C, CompositeSDI, YUV, Composite, Y/CComposite, & Component Analog, Y/C, SDIComposite, & Component Analog, Y/C, SDIComposite, & Component Analog, Y/C, SDIComposite, & Component Analog, Y/C, SDIComposite, & Component AnalogComposite, & Component AnalogComposite Analog
ScriptingActiveX[][][][]yes via 3rd Partyyesyes[]AppleScript, proprietaryAppleScript, proprietary[]yes
Square to Rectangle Pixel Conversionyes[][][][][][][][]yesyesyes[]
Batch Processingyesyesyes[]yesyesyesyesyesyesyes[][]
List Price$495$109,000 to $180,000$18,000$11,500$49,500$29,995$22,950$11,950TK$59,999$39,999$25,000$6,499/$4,999
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    Glossary



VBR, Number of passes

Variable bitrate encoders come in either single- or multi-pass versions. Single-pass encoders take the least amount of production time, but render a lower image quality than multi-pass models. Two- and three-pass encoders make a preliminary analysis pass before compression to check for redundancy in video information and set the bitrate accordingly. A three-pass encoder makes an initial inspection pass before the analysis phase, which further contributes to the final image quality, though it takes more time to complete an encode.

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Filtering/Noise Reduction

Many products offer filtering/noise reduction options at a nominal cost.
These are most useful when working with low-quality input formats like analog video. Two-dimensional filters are primarily good for softening an image, making it easier to compress. Three-dimensional filters track trends in the video information across time.

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I Frame only option

A valuable feature for delivering MPEG 2 over a network or other applications where the video information is regularly altered after encoding, intra-frame only compression allows you to disassemble disassemble an MPEG stream at any point in time, meaning you can edit any MPEG stream you want. Allows complete flexibility when editing the resulting MPEG stream.

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Scripting

This feature allow you to automate encoding process. Eliminates repetitive operator tasks. Usually akin to elementary programming, there is a significant learning curve, but it can save a great deal of time.

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Square to Rectangular Pixel Conversion

Computer-generated still images from Photoshop, for instance, use square pixels whereas analog video uses rectangular pixels when digitized. Products that support conversion between both allow for easier integration of computer-generated artwork into the final product.

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