Best video encoding app?

[Doju]

I've searched and read tons of reviews, but I'm still indecisive about which app to choose. Keep in mind I have ripped all my DVDs and have them all as .AVIs and .MKVs already, no interest in DVD rippers.


So basically I started using iFlicks and was very pleased with the amount of meta data available automatically. But encoding a 30 minute 720p TV show took 3 hours to encode!

I got reading and read it uses Quicktime as its encoder, which is why it can be very slow, especially .MKVs. Then I read VisualHub (I have this from before Techspansion quit) encodes them so much quicker because they use an open source engine called FFmpeg. I tried this and it encoded it MUCH quicker.

Then I heard how Handbrake is better for encoding. Their universal preset has much better algorithms to determine the quality. Okay.

Then I was reading about RoadMovie. I love the ability to add Chapters and I love the ability to set the poster frame so easily and desperately want these.

So what am I best off doing? I could always encode in VisualHub and add it to iTunes and then use the iFlicks script to grab the meta data? But then I don't have poster frame or chapters.

I love iFlicks' meta data, but hate the time to encode and wish it had poster frame and chapter support.

I love VisualHub's encoding time, but hate the lack of meta data available and hear Handbrake is better somehow.

I love Roadmovie's poster frame and chapter support, but there's really nothing else appealing and I think it uses the same slow engine as iFlicks.

Opinions? Why couldn't iTunes be like Plex and require no conversions of file type and grab all the meta data in the world instantly and painlessly.

 

[bmcgonag]

Why not just use Plex?

 

[shinji]

If you are starting with mkv and want to end up with .mp4, you can simply remux with mkvtools as long as the video is mpeg-4 to begin with (it'll tell you). mkv2vob does the same thing and is a much better app but unfortunately is windows only.

For anything else, I like handbrake.

Just keep in mind that encoding is very processor-intensive. It takes a while. You can make it quicker with something like turbo264hd which is a hardware solution and their own software encoder that goes along with it.

Don't know a solution for the poster frame, though.

 

[Doju]

Why not just use Plex?

I do. Only for my HD movies for my home theatre, though. I need a bunch of other video in iTunes to sync my iPhone and (future) iPad.