New PC Flies, multi CCE pass > 2, HC Encoder??

[mattstan]

Hi,

My new PC is so very fast at DVD RB runs.

Intel Core Duo E8500 2 x 3.16 GHz
2 GB Corsair Dominator PC8500 1066 MHz RAM (top of the range)

My first run, encoding a 5GB movie, only took 44 mins in total, the final 7 mins being the 'rebuild'. I wasn't even using 2 hard disks (1 for source, 1 for working dir).

It was using CCE SP v2.70.02.12 with the default settings of:
VBR Bias: 25
Qual Prec: 16
VBR Passes: 2

Given that I usually do my encodes overnight anyway (in batch if I've more than 1), time is now not an issue. With time out of the equation, how many CCE passes should I use? Am I correct in thinking 9 is the max number of passes with my version of CCE?

Also there has been discussion that the HC encoder is now extremely good. Should I consider using that instead of CCE and what settings should I use?

My concern with these questions is to be able to maximize the QUALITY of the final 4.3 GB movie (I almost always do movie only encodes).

Many thanks everyone.

PS. Using the latest registered version of DVD-RB v.1.26.6.

[jdobbs]

I would not recommend doing more than 3 passes with CCE SP. In most cases 2 is enough. In very difficult encodes, 3 can make a slight improvement. Additional passes over 3 don't really (IMHO) improve the output.

[mattstan]

I would not recommend doing more than 3 passes with CCE SP. In most cases 2 is enough. In very difficult encodes, 3 can make a slight improvement. Additional passes over 3 don't really (IMHO) improve the output.
Thanks.

I just need clarification about something. When you say 2 passes with CCE does that mean in DVD-RB's 'CCE Customized Settings' dialog box, I set the VBR Passes to 3? (Or am I muddling up something I read)? To get 3 CCE passes I would then set it to 4?

Many thanks jdobbs.

[jdobbs]

No, you'd just set it to 3. The confusion is based upon the goofy way they refer to passes in the CCE documentation. DVD-RB makes 3 passes equivalent to the way passes are measured in every other encoder -- which of course means three actual passes through the file.

[mattstan]

No, you'd just set it to 3. The confusion is based upon the goofy way they refer to passes in the CCE documentation. DVD-RB makes 3 passes equivalent to the way passes are measured in every other encoder -- which of course means three actual passes through the file.
Ok but to clarify because you don't actually say which part of my question you're answering!!

To get 2 CCE passes enter 2 in DVD-RB's 'VBR Passes' settings.
To get 3 CCE passes enter 3 in DVD-RB's 'VBR Passes' settings.

Is that correct?

Cheers.

[jdobbs]

Correct.

[mattstan]

Correct.
Thanks again jdobbs.