MediaCoder

I had tried Handbrake for a week or two but found in far less satisfying than MediaCoder. And frustrating!

Handbrake was time consuming when working on a batch, each source file had to be loaded and “Add to Queue” clicked and, even then it often failed to convert all in the queue.

It's settings were ambiguous and not reproducible. For example, when aiming for an interlaced outut, I had set Anamorphic = Strict, as recommended for interlacing, and saved it in a Preset. However, on loading the Preset, Anamorphic appeared at its default value (‘Loose’).

Most important for me, since I require the max resolution for workimg in Premiere, Handbrake often failed to give the desired Resolution, which cannot even be set or changed easily. Handbrake has a mind of its own and usually chooses what it wants for the resolution -- usually lower than desired. It also seems incapable of convertig an NTSC file to PAL so that I can treat a number of clips on the same Timeline in Premiere.

For example, wanting to keep 720x576 for all clips, I converted 3 NTSC files in 720x480 to PAL:
The output framerate was correct at 25 fps but the two clips in 4:3 were output at 706x480 for one and 720x488 for the other, and a 16:9 source clip in 16:9 came out as 706x476. They all had a reduced resolution (quality) for a Timeline at 720x576.

I finally gave up using Handbrake. It may be useful for straightforward conversions but for me, NO!
In any case, MediaCoder lets you have control over everything you want and offers numerous other encoding options in case you need them.

That is why I re-examined MediaCoder and prepared the abovementioned Guide on Trimmed Versions (viewtopic.php?f=17&t=13044).

Thanks for your suggestions and comments (Long time no 'see').

I found ShanaEncoder easily and downloaded the latest version 2.1.
The first thing I noticed was that, if the footprint matters, it consumes twice as much space as the two trimmed-down versions of MediaCoder I suggested in viewtopic.php?f=17&t=13044.

Whereas, ShanaEncoder does offer numerous output formats, can add a Logo and subtitles, it allows only one user Preset and limited control over the settings. This, of course, is OK if one of the built-in Presets for particular devices is adequate.

On the other hand, MediaCoder - even the two trimmed-down versions I like - has far more options and control over the output and allows many user-defined Presets.

Still, it was good to discover other alternatives to MediaCoder (for interest sake).

Hope life after MediaCoder suits you mixer!

I have done some more testing of both the ShanaEncoder and the Kirara.
The results have been compared with Trimmed down versions of MediaCoder at viewtopic.php?f=17&t=13044.

An EXCELLENT H264 encoder is meGUI, probably SIMPLY THE BEST

I had a quick look at meGUI 2418, which is able to convert many source formats to MP4 or MKV.
Even though it seems to offer more control over the output than does Handbrake or Kiara it is far more comlex to use and far less user-friendly. It seems to need the use of scripts and the installation of its components and its operation is not self evident.

I would far rather use MediaCoder, which offers more options with more features, and yet its installation includes all that is needed in one hit and the GUI (interface) is more self evident. It is a much tidier and powerfal program than meGUI.

Please do NOT discuss meGUI any further or suggest more alternatives.
This is a Forum on MeddiaCoder.
Thanks