Encoding Card or Faster CPU

[kevinswystun]

I use CCE for most of my encoding. But it sure is slow. I am looking to speed up the process. Is there a card that can to this or should I update to a faster CPU?

I am currently running an Intel 1gz with 200 megs of RAM.

[kevinswystun]

After poking around the net, I answered my own question.

It’s better to get a faster CPU, because:
1) An encoded card is hardwired with a encoding program and can’t be changed much, but encoding programs like CCE are constantly being updated.

2) The encoding being done by a card is not faster than a real fast CPU (say 3.06 GHz) although you may be able to multitask better.

The best system is two systems networked. The main system has all your stuff running on it (internet, authoring program, DVD burner, printer, etc) powered by an average processor. The second is the speed machine, with a fast CPU, good size RAM, a fast hard drive, running CCE at full tilt with no interruptions. Once the second system is done with the encoding, you import your M2V file to your main system, then author and burn.

[wmansir]

I was hoping someone with more knowledge than me in mpeg2 encoding hardware would answer you. But I imagine a faster cpu would be more bang for your buck. A quality encoding board would cost a few hundred bucks, and for that price you could get a P4 2.4 GHz which would encode much faster than realtime, and would benifit you in other apps like games.

Of course to move from a 1Ghz PIII to a p4 you'll need a new motherboard, and perhaps new memory. So you'll have to factor some in for those too. Luckily memory prices are dropping like crazy again so you can get 256mb DDR ram for $30.

[fasttimes]

Originally posted by wmansir
A quality encoding board would cost a few hundred bucksA hardware encoder that is in the same league as CCE, would cost about $14,000! Anything in the "few hundred bucks" range is junk, vs CCE. A faster processor is the *only* viable choice, if quality is the priority.

[wmansir]

Like I said I have little knowledge of hardware encoders. I'm sure with the rising popularity of appliances like the Tivo and Microsoft's media center PCs the price of decent MPEG2 encoder cards are coming down, but their quality is questionable. However the dirt cheap prices of CPU power is unquestionable.

[-TiLT-]

anyone remebered cce costs money too? :)

Greetings
-TiLT-