| Encoder: | Suggested use, more info: | Output quality: |
| Tsunami MPEG Encoder (TMPGEnc), Xpress, Source Creator | MPEG encodes, such as VCD or DVD. Suggested for pretty much any kind of source file, and will open most source files with codecs installed. Especially useful for the many built-in video filters to restore video. Enormous amount of encoding options. GUI and wizard-based interface. | Very good output quality. Has tendency to have slight noise in files, even with decent bitrates, but not overly noticeable. Pretty faithful to the source. Fully customizable. |
| Canopus Procoder | Professional MPEG and streaming video. Only suggested for self-captured high quality AVI files or DV camera footage. Exists as standalone or as plugin for NLE timeline output. GUI and wizard-based interface. | Excellent high quality, often voted the #1 best quality encoder on the market. Fully customizable. MPEG output often looks indistinguishable from the uncompressed source! |
| Canopus Procoder Express | MPEG encodes for consumers wanting to make DVDs from DV camera footage. Exists as standalone or as plugin for NLE timeline output. Wizard-based interface. | Like its professional version, super high quality. However it is more limited in the output, for example: MPEG-2 for DVD with proper sequence headers can only be output as 720x480 |
| MainConcept MPEG Encoder, including Adobe version | MPEG encodes from high quality sources, or as an output encode from NLE software like Adobe Premiere. GUI and wizard-based interface. | Very good output quality. Tends to soften the video a bit, so not overly faithful to the source. Fully customizable. |
| VirtualDub | AVI codec encodes, such as XVID format. Output options depends entirely on the installed system codecs. GUI interface. | Depends entirely on the settings and codecs being used, but can achieve quite acceptable results in decent quality. Fully customizable. |
| Cinemacraft Encoder (CCE) | Only able to encode MPEG from AVI source. Exists as standalone or as plugin for NLE timeline output. GUI interface. | Very good output quality. Tends to add mosquito noise to the video a bit, so not overly faithful to the source. Fully customizable. |
| Cinemacraft Encoder Basic (CCE) | Only able to encode MPEG from AVI source. Exists as standalone or as plugin for NLE timeline output. Not as many options as the pro version. GUI interface. | Same as pro version. Very good output quality. Tends to add mosquito noise to the video a bit, so not overly faithful to the source. Fully customizable. |
| Freeware: BBMPEG, QuEnc, etc | Free MPEG encoders. Usually very limited in scope, only able to open certain kinds of files. Not suggested. Usually GUI interfaces, though some are command-line. | Often mediocre quality at best. Some of the better ones have near-eternal encode times. Not worth the hassle, spend $50 on a good MPEG encoder. |
| All-In-One tools: Nero, Roxio, FilmMachine, etc | Never suggested. Usually wizard-based interfaces. | As discussed above, all-in-one tools blindly encode video, often giving dismal results. |
| Special Use tools: EOVideo, AVi2DVD, etc | Not often suggested. These are usually tools intended to convert oddball formats to something more standard, sometimes included in non-mainstream all-in-one tools. Usually wizard-based interfaces. | Mediocre quality. Not much room to complain since these are often the only methods to convert the oddball video to more traditional formats. |
| Proprietary tools: Quicktime, Real, WME, etc | Only suggested for proprietary encodes. Tools released in-house by the format creators. Usually wizard-based interfaces. | Usually quite decent, tools are dedicated to their formats. |
| Anything not listed | It's probably not listed for a reason. Either low quality or a professional specialty use. Interface varies. | Varies. |
