encoder and setup questions

[ztrmils]

I'm starting to work with v0.93 (with interest in using the 1.0RC.) Using the CCE 2.70.02 trial version gets me the "item.ecl is not a ECL for CCE SP Works" error message that's oft commented on in this forum. Editing the header of the rebuilder.ecl file doesn't help. I've set DVD-RB to use both SP and the Trial version, but neither gets me beyond this problem.

So I'm currently reencoding using HC 0.14. I'm using that version because it's what's packaged with the Rockas installer.

A couple of questions:

Can I / Should I use the newer version of HC or is that incompatible?

How can I work around the CCE problem I've described?

About that watermark that trial versions of CCE leave, is this visible at all times, sort of like network logos on TV programs at the corner of the screen?

What free encoder does the best job and does it come close to CCE basic?

I'm a quick learner with this sort of thing, but I'm new to DVD backups, so please excuse my inexperience.

[writersblock29]

@ztrmils

My own testing has shown me that HC comes pretty close to CCE in terms of quality -- close enough that you can actually argue about it within these forums! ;) There are only two reasons why I don't use HC in all my regular encodes.

1) The time involved. CCE tends to be faster than HC on a 2-pass mode -- and I rarely push CCE past 2 passes.

2) I paid close to $3K for CCE 2.5 SP years ago (there was no "basic" version availible or heard of at the time), and I'd like to drain as much usage out of that puppy as I can.

As far as versions and compatibility go... I'd just stick to what Jdobbs and Rockas packaged together in the installer to be on the safe side.

As for CCE, yes, that watermark's pretty much there throughout the video streams that it produces. Custom Technology meant for the trial to be for comparisons to other encoders as well as a way to judge for oneself the quality they'd get out of it. None of the retail versions carry a watermark with them.

[ztrmils]

Thanks, writersblock. That's helpful info.

Any thoughts, anyone, on the CCE error or the other questions?

[Rockas]

About HC... you can use 0.15... just replace the old HCBatch.exe with the new one.