Various questions about CCE

[JonRead]

Okay, I know people will straight away dive for me and say "read the sticky FAQ", but actually my questions are ones either not asked in that thread or ones that need elaborating on.

1. What version do people use here mostly ? Lite, SP, or Pro ?

2. I have downloaded the trial version of SP and I hear (from various people) it can't do any bitrate changing or so on, but when I click "edit" I see the option to change bitrates, what gives ?

3. Why is the software so expensive compared to TMPG ? What are the differences between the 2 software to warrent the price hike ? I have found both to be very fast and both seem to have the same options.

4. I have read about lots of other people using other software to control CCE encoding. How is this done ? Via a codec ? I have loads of codecs that I don't know what they are.

5. Speaking of codecs, where is the best place to get all codec possible ?

6. Light hearted question here, has anyone here actually PURCHASED the software for full price ? ;-)

Thanks all.

[wmansir]

1. What version do people use here mostly ? Lite, SP, or Pro ?

SP. Pro is a hardware package which includes en entire PC with the software. Lite doesn't do VBR, which is CCE strong point, next to speed.

2. I have downloaded the trial version of SP and I hear (from various people) it can't do any bitrate changing or so on, but when I click "edit" I see the option to change bitrates, what gives ?

You can change the bitrate. Depending on the trial version the limitations include: Output will contain CCE logo (all trials), 30 day limit (all trials), cannot save or load project files (.ec), cannot directly accesss advanced quality options.

3. Why is the software so expensive compared to TMPG ? What are the differences between the 2 software to warrent the price hike ? I have found both to be very fast and both seem to have the same options.

CCE is actually several times faster then TMPG, it can perform >2 passes in multipass VBR, and it's MPEG2 output is generally regarded as better looking. but, overall TMPG does have more features. I think the huge price difference is due to buisness plans. CCE is aimed at proffesional users, where multi-thousand dollar endcoding machines are the norm. TMPG is targeting the home user. It's like asking why SUN servers cost 10 of thousands of dollars when you can get a similar linux/X86 machine for 1/10 the cost.

4. I have read about lots of other people using other software to control CCE encoding. How is this done ? Via a codec ? I have loads of codecs that I don't know what they are.

I don't know about this, other than programs like DVD2SVCD and AutoCCE which simulate user input to automate encoding. Unless you are talking about programs such as VirtualDub and AviSynth which edit/process your files for encoding.

5. Speaking of codecs, where is the best place to get all codec possible ?

I don't know, the only reason CCE needs a coded is if your input file is compressed with that codec. I don't know the best place but you can checkout divx-digest and look for codec packs. I don't know if Doom9 does a codec pack.


6. Light hearted question here, has anyone here actually PURCHASED the software for full price ? ;-)

Yes, though most got it for buisness reasons.