Also, video compression might give you variable estimates for completion, based upon what it's encoding at the time. For instance, a section of video heavy with effects/filters/transitions/layering will go slower, and the estimation accounts for only what's currently being encoded, and not the other, more easy to encode sections. This could account for the jump from 4 to 9 hours.
Also, video compression might give you variable estimates for completion, based upon what it's encoding at the time. For instance, a section of video heavy with effects/filters/transitions/layering will go slower, and the estimation accounts for only what's currently being encoded, and not the other, more easy to encode sections. This could account for the jump from 4 to 9 hours.
it will definately take a while, but the estimated time is usually pretty iffy with the accuracy. When I am encoding DVDs in StudioPro, it will go from 1.5 hours to 15 hours then back to an hour.....
as the above poster said, certain parts of the file are heavy on the cpu, and thus take longer to render, in turn making the overall time estimate incorrect. It will get to an easier encoded section of the file and greatly reduce that estimated time.
If you move the data to another HD when encoding it'll go faster. Try getting a hold of a FW drive from a friend just to check it out. I think even 3 hours sounds long if you do it this way.
/Oh, try getting a speedy drive, like: 8MB cache, 7200RPM.