Re: best option for WMV encoding on a Mac

Flip4Mac is great for quick small WMV files but it will not match the precision of the FREE windows media encoder. I export a reference clip from FCP and open it in MPEG Streamclip (again, FREE). In MPEG Streamclip I export an AVI movie and compress the video using Apple's PhotoJPEG at 75% and keep audio uncompressed. This gives me a great looking AVI I can take over to the PC. I do have a dedicated PC and there are many GREAT reasons to have one (c'mon boys they're cheap!) in the shop. I still use eDVD to make cross-platform DVD's with ROM content for example and author PC Powerpoint for clients...much more.

You run the AVI file you created on your mac thru the Windows Media encoder and you can get excellent looking WMV clips that can be FULL SCREEN and look pristine. Excellent if you want to show a full screeen clip on ANY PC.

Again I have both Flip4Mac (small quick encodes for basic approval and of course the Quicktime extension for viewing in QT player) AND a PC for doing those encodes that I want to be the smallest size but the best looking. I have used nothing that does this better than the FREE Microsoft encoder.

So to review.....I use Flip4Mac almost every day to view WMV in QT and to create small low to med quality review clips for clients. I use the FREE MPEGStreamclip to make AVI clips that I take over to the PC (via simple USB jump drive) and make my critical (especially full screen) encodes on the PC.

My clients know that when it really counts I can deliver the best quality clips because of a comprehensive workflow.....I can also save them money by using a quick solution like Flip4Mac for the less critical review clips.

That's my story.....stickin' to it.

Rich Rubasch
Tilt Media Inc.