Encoding Overview

Depending on the type of video that are going to encode, there are different compression formats that you should use.  On this site, I describe how to encode with RealMedia 8 and Windows Media 8.  Read the information below to help you choose a video format.

You should go through my RealMedia 8 encoding guide if:

• You are encoding a cartoon video at a resolution near or below 320x240

• You are encoding a real life video with moderate to low action at a resolution near or below 320x240

• Your encoded video is going to be played on computers with slower CPUs

• Your encoded video is going to be played on computers that are running UNIX or the MacOS

You should go through my Windows Media 8 encoding guide if:

• You are encoding a cartoon video at a resolution well above 320x240

• You are encoding a real life video with lots of action at a resolution near 320x240

• You are encoding any real life video at a resolution well above 320x240

To follow the RealMedia 8 encoding guide, you must have RealProducer Basic or RealProducer Plus installed on your system.  You may also need to have Avisynth installed.

To follow the Windows Media 8 encoding guide, you must have the Windows Media 8 Encoding Utility and the Windows Media 8 Encoder GUI installed on your computer.  You might also need to install Avisynth, VFAPI, and the ReadAVS VFAPI plug-in.

All of these programs are available from my Software page.  

If you have all the appropriate software, you can head on over to the RealMedia 8 Encoding guide or the Windows Media 8 Encoding guide.