Video Encoder Review

I may as well admit that I'll never finish this section. As of January 2006, I use a reasonably recent version of XviD for AVI files and TMPGEnc for MPEG-2 (DVD) files. WinDVD Creator is the only decent DVD authoring software I've used, though it is quite buggy. Sonic MyDVD is junk. I would like to try Apple's iDVD since it comes with new systems.

For a good set of standards, all encoders that have bitrate settings were set to 1150kb for 320x240 (VCD spec) and 4600kb for 720x480 unless otherwise noted. Source was ripped using Flask and encoded to Pic Video Lossless MJPEG. MPEG video was recorded at 320x240. Other encoders were tested at 320x240 and 720x480. Deinterlaceing was done by Flask.

MPEG 1 Encoders

avi2mpg1
version: 1.10 bitrate: 1150kb
resolution: 320x240
VBR: NO
Quality: poor
Notes: I hate to knock a free product, especially one of the first free encoders, but it really isn't useable.
pic here
bbmpeg Adobe plug-in
version: 1.23 bitrate: 1150kb
resolution: 320x240
VBR: NO
Quality: moderate
Notes: Another free encoder. Encodes Mpeg-2 as well. Run using standalone software. I don't know why the sound isn't working, it should be, it has before.
pic here
LSXmpeg Adobe plug-in
version: (unknown)
bitrate: (unknown)
resolution: 320x240
VBR: (unknown)
Quality: Excellent, but irrelevant
Notes: The pirated plug-in for Adobe Premiere would crash when attempting to change settings. Whatever it's set to is what you see.
pic here
Panasonic mpeg Adobe plug-in
version: Nov 01, 1999
bitrate: 1150kb
resolution: 320x240
VBR: NO
Quality: moderate
Notes: I can tell no difference between the standard and CG settings.
pic here
Tsunami MPEG Encoder (TMPGEnc)
version: a
bitrate: 1150
resolution: 320x240
VBR: YES
Quality: moderate +
Notes: The newest and best free encoder and the only one that is still being updated.
pic here
Xing mpeg encoder
version: 2.20
bitrate: 1150
resolution: 1150
VBR: NO
Quality: moderate
Notes: Xing encoder is very annoying. It sets the Xing mpeg player as the default video player and the encoder will crash if it is not.
pic here

MPEG 2 Encoders

bbmpeg
version: 1.23
bitrate: 1150
resolution: 320x240
VBR: NO
Quality: moderate
Notes: Same as mpeg-1. Sound still doesn't work.
pic here
bbmpeg
version: 1.23
bitrate: 4600
resolution: 720x480
VBR: NO
Quality: Better
Notes: Sound still doesn't work.
pic here
bbmpeg
version: 1.23
bitrate: 4600
resolution: 720x480 interlaced
VBR: NO
Quality: Better
Notes: Seems smoother than non-interlaced. Sound still doesn't work.
pic here
TMPGEnc
version: a
bitrate: 1150
resolution: 320x240
VBR: YES
Quality: moderate
Notes: Same as mpeg-1.
pic here
TMPGEnc
version: a
bitrate: 4600
resolution: 720x480
VBR: YES
Quality: Good
Notes: Visually not as good as bbmpeg
pic here
TMPGEnc
version: a
bitrate: 4600
resolution: 720x480 interlaced
VBR: YES
Quality: Good
Notes: Seems smoother than non-interlaced, but more noise.
pic here

Other Encoders

Divx Fast Motion
version: 3.11 Alpha
bitrate: MAX
resolution: 320x240
VBR: YES
Quality: poor
Notes: I'm not impressed. Horizontal lines through video instead of macroblocks.
Note2: I just found that the horizontal lines aren't really there. They don't show up in VirtualDub or Media Player 7, just Media Player 6.4 Why do I have Media Player 6.4? That's the last one that runs on Win95 and the one that comes with Win2k. I don't like Media Player 7 much.
pic here
Divx Fast Motion
version: 3.11 Alpha
bitrate: MAX
resolution: 720x480
VBR: YES
Quality: moderate
Notes: better than the 320x240, but still not impressed. Same horizontal lines.
pic here
Divx Low Motion
version: 3.11 Alpha
bitrate: MAX
resolution: 320x240
VBR: YES
Quality: moderate
Notes: Same horizontal lines.
pic here
Divx Low Motion
version: 3.11 Alpha
bitrate: MAX (very large)
resolution: 720x480
VBR: YES
Quality: moderate
Notes: Not as good as other encoders, and much larger file. Same horizontal lines.
pic here
Divx 4
version: 4.0
bitrate: 4600
resolution: 720x480
VBR: YES
Quality: very good
Notes: Best codec I've tried so far. Requires rather alot of micromanagement to run VBR.
pic here
Divx 4
version: 4.0
bitrate: 1150
resolution: 720x480
VBR: YES
Quality: moderate +
Notes: Scales to lower bitrates quite well. Looks as good at 1150 as the best mpeg-1 at 320x240.
pic here
Divx 5
version: 5.1
bitrate: 1150
resolution: 720x480
VBR: YES
Quality: good
Notes: DivX 5.1 and XviD are a close pair. Didn't do higher bitrate tests since these look good.
pic here
XviD
version: 2.1 16-Jul-2003
bitrate: ~1150 (can only set desired file size)
resolution: 720x480
VBR: YES
Quality: good
Notes: DivX 5.1 and XviD are a close pair. Didn't do higher bitrate tests since these look good.
pic here

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