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Streaming Magazine Column - February 2003 | |
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Special Edition: Sorenson Squeeze 3 PreviewSorenson Squeeze 3 is the latest release from Sorenson Media. Essentially it's an encoding tool built around the Sorenson family of codecs - Sorenson Video 3 Pro, Sorenson Spark Pro, and Sorenson MPEG-4 Pro. It's available in a number of different configurations - one designed specifically for Flash MX, one for MPEG-4, and the full compression suite version, which includes the entire Sorenson codec family. If you're running on the Windows platform, Sorenson Squeeze also includes the ability to encode RealMedia and Windows Media content.In addition to offering the latest and greatest Sorenson codecs, Squeeze 3 offers a simple, easy to use interface coupled with intelligent presets that allow virtually anyone to encode high-quality compressed video files. Squeeze doesn't just create files for streaming media applications - it also produces high-quality compressed files suitable for progressive download and local playback applications. Not only that, but it offers the ability to capture files directly via FireWire, and a sophisticated batch processing implementation. WorkflowThe Sorenson Squeeze 3 interface couldn't be simpler. On the left is a video preview window, with standard transport controls such as play, fast forward, etc. The output file names and encoding specs are listed in a window on the right. Above these two windows is the toolbar, which contains graphic icons that provide access to set various encoding parameters.An icon for each available encoding format is offered, along with icons for pre-processing filters, Flash Player settings (if your version includes Flash Video support), and icons for the three types of encoding presets. You can select more than one encoding format at a time. After you choose the formats you want to encode, you select the encoding presets you want to use, and then simply press the "Squeeze It" button at the bottom of the interface. In addition to processing files singly in this manner, you can process whole folders full of files. All you have to do is select a "watch folder," and then select the desired formats and encoding presets. Press "Squeeze It," and any files in the folder are automatically encoded. What's more, Sorenson Squeeze stays active, and any files that appear in the watch folder are also encoded. This is a great tool for anyone that creates a reasonable amount of streaming media. For advanced users, Sorenson Squeeze 3 offers the ability to create custom encoding presets. The last icon on the toolbar opens up a window that offers control of the encoding specs for each format. ProcessingSqueeze 3 offers a full complement of filter parameters to process video files. Along with the standard color, contrast, and gamma settings, white and black restore filters are offered, along with de-interlace and inverse telecine, and noise reduction filters.You can also trim your video by selecting in and out points, add a fade to the beginning or end of your clip, normalize the audio level, and crop your video. The cropping tool is one of the best implementations I've seen. One complaint I have is that there is no way to save filter settings. This can be extremely handy if you create a particularly useful combination of settings, and necessary if you have to recreate a particular encode. The VerdictSorenson Squeeze 3 is a well thought-out tool that anyone could learn to use in a matter of minutes. However, the most important measure of an encoding tool's worth is the quality of its encoded files, and Squeeze does not disappoint here. For people creating QuickTime and/or Flash Video content, having access to all the Sorenson Video 3 Pro and Sorenson Spark Video parameters enables higher quality encodes, particularly using their 2-Pass and new 1-Pass VBR modes.Last but certainly not least, the Sorenson MPEG-4 Pro codec recently won the NerdTV shootout as the best MPEG-4 codec. For this reason alone, Sorenson Squeeze 3 is a must for any serious streaming media professional wishing to create MPEG-4 content. Add in the batch processing and high quality filters and you've got a serious streaming media tool. For those of you on the Windows platform, the RealMedia and Windows Media capabilities are just icing on the cake. Next Month: Authoring - Keep it Simple
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