Mpeg.now vs TMPGEnc quality?

[IM_Riktar]

So how much difference is there between the 2? As I stand here on the brink of upgrading my TMPGEnc to the full version I am wndering if I shouldn't just go for the $99 upgrade to MSPro 6.5 from my MSP 6.0 software.

While I am happy with the features in MSPro 6.02 from my standpoint it couldn't hurt to have the new version and be able to encode right into Mpeg2 from the MSPro timeline. Doing that with the Ligos codec in my current version has provided less than steller results. The time savings is worth the difference in price between TMPGEnc full vs the MSPro 6.5 upgrade cost. Provided that the quality is comparable.

Then again, if Panasonic would make a plugin for MSPro 6.02 I would consider just going that route.

Decisions, decisions.

[Brian Ellis]

I've seen little to choose between them for any given bitrate: MPEG.NOW is certainly easier to use, embedded in MSP but TMPGENC is somewhat more flexible (consequently easier to make a mistake). I mow use MPEG.NOW exclusively.

[Dr Mordrid]

TMPGEnc still offers the highest quality with problem sources given the MainConcept MPEG SDK Ulead has been using.

MainConcept recently issued a new MPEG SDK which Ulead has and is using to create an updated MPEG.now patch (to be called PowerPatch II) for MSPro 6.5. My sources tell me that they are targeting the end of Sept./early Oct. for release of this patch.

The reason for the delay is that they have to put the new MainConcept MPEG SDK through SQA (software quality assurance) to make sure it won't bollux up something else in MSPro 6.5 before releasing the patch.

Once released this new encoder should up the bar even more for MPEG.now.

Even so TMPGEnc Plus is a very hard act to beat, especially given all the tools it incorporates: multiple delacing filters, built in telecine and inverse telecine etc. etc. etc. Because of this I feel TMPGEnc is something everyone should have in their toolkit.

TMPGEnc will become even more useful once VideoTools releases their VideoServer plugin for MSPro. The only thing delaying this is that an update for the Premiere version is now in beta. When this is finished they plan on putting the finishing touches on the MSPro version next.

With a VideoServer plugin for MSPro you will be able to export the timeline to a small (6.5k) fake *.avi file on the HDD which TMPGEnc (or about anything else that can load an *.avi) can load and process any way you want. In TMPGEnc's case this would mean streaming the timeline direct to an MPEG file without having to lay down a large disk file first.

From Premiere I've even used VideoServer to serve the RT.X100's timeline direct to DVD MovieFactory :-P

Basically VideoServer makes about any program a Premiere (and soon; an MSPro) plugin.

Sound nice?

Dr. Mordrid

[IM_Riktar]

Brian:
The ease of use is what I am looking for with Mpeg.now in my Mini-DV to DVD conversions. Using the Mainconcept DV codec is making my decision easier to go with Mpeg.Now since their DV codec has worked so well.

Doc:
Wasn't their some talk awhile back about a upcoming release of a plugin for MSPro from Videotools? I wonder what is taking so long with this. Unless their is some indication that they will be cranking out something to try soon, I won't be considering that as an option. We'll see.

TMPGEnc does indeed have many usefull tools in it's holster. The thing is, I don't use alot of them for my work. To my way of thinking I could use the filters in MSPro 6.51 and render out straight to Mpeg2 for burning in MovieFactory.

What will probably be the deciding factor is if I cam make a side by side comparison of both and judge for myself. If the quality difference is apparent while viewing on the average TV I will go with whoever is best. But, If I have to get my mug within 3 inches of the screen and strain to notice any difference between the 2, then I will be upgrading to MSPro 6.51 to get the Mpeg.Now codec.

Thanks to both of you for weighing in on my request. As usual, you both have given me some added considerations to ponder on.

RikTar

[Dr Mordrid]

VideoTools wanted to complete the other projects they had in the works first: a new build of AVISynth (finished in May), a new build of Link2 and some new AVISynth plugins (finished in July) and the upgraded Premiere VideoServer...which they are betaing now.

I got a mail from them confirming that the MSPro plugin is next up to bat and that some work has already been done on it.

Dr. Mordrid