Re: Learning about Compression and compression programs

Ben,
I must say that I do consider you "the man" on compression; and read this thread with interest, as I have been having some mixed results with the new QT7/FCP5/Compressor line-up. I decided to plow forward and download a trial version of Bitvice 1.6 (their most recent offering) and perform my own test. Overall I will agree that I saw little difference between the two; however I saw some significant superiorities in and around transitions (simple 20 frame cross-desolves). Where I was getting some very blocky results with compressor, they were flawless out of bitvice. I also noticed less background fluctuations in areas with thin mids. This was using the same Quicktime, out of FCP5. A 12 minute video, 4/3 shot with mini DV. I used all default settings in Bitvice.
I will also point out that I can correct the flaws out of compressor by engaging the filter that reduces noise; however this added an overall "dulling" effect to the entire video (almost like adding a gausean blur).