[mythtv-users] Slightly OT? MPEG-2 Encoding Quality

[Jeff volckaert]

> Is there any difference in the quality of the MPEG-2 encoders?
>
> One of the side functions of the MythTV box will be to take my old tapes
> (family / camcorder stuff) and convert them to DVD.  There was a thread,
> a week or so ago, discussing software codecs for better quality.  As a
> general rule, are there differences in the MPEG-2 encoders in the cards
> (IE a more premium card gives better output = the 350 over the 150 or
> 250)?  Are there noticeable differences?  How about using a software
> codec versus hardware?
Those are just model numbers.  The hardware encoder is probably the
same chip in all the models.  I don't think there is any difference in
quality... just features.

You REALLY want to use a hardware codec.  A software codec eats up a ton of CPU.

Jeff