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Test Bench: Canopus ProCoder Express (page 2)

Compression Convenience

In the end, this product is all about convenience. Sure, the quality of the video is good using the MPEG-2 codec, for example, but then again, so is the video coming out of the Main Concept encoder found in most video editing and DVD authoring apps. ProCoder Express is fast, but not any faster than its competitors. The watch folder feature is a real standout for home productions, but it could be a killer app when installed on a dedicated rendering computer on a network at a small production house.

D. Eric Franks is Videomaker's Technical Editor.

TECH SPECS

Platform: PC
Operating System: Windows 2000 Pro or XP
Processor: 800MHz
RAM: 256MB
Hard Disk Space: 80MB
Other: DirectX 9, Internet connection (for activation)
Plug-in For (optional): Canopus Let's Edit, EDIUS and Adobe Premiere 6.5 and Pro
Video Input Formats: DirectShow, QuickTime, WMV, MPEG-1,2,4, Raw DV
Video Output Formats: same as input plus DivX and Real
Printed Manual: 24 pages
Trial Version: none

STRENGTHS
  • Convenient and flexible
  • Watch folder automated rendering
WEAKNESSES
  • Not a necessity for most
SUMMARY

ProCoder Express is a very reasonably-priced encoder with good ease-of-use and convenient features.

$60
Canopus Corporation
711 Charcot Avenue
San Jose, CA 95131
(888) 899-EDIT
www.canopus.com

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