Maximum PC

You bring up an interesting point, OvenMaster. To put things into perspective (from my point-of-view), I’ll compare the two to digital cameras.

XMedia Recode seems to be more like a manual only camera. It would not recognize the file format I wanted to convert from… I had to ‘tell’ it. Format Factory is more like a point-and-shoot. It does what you want when you want and it has customization available for those so skilled.

In summation, I’m more of a point-and-shoot kinda guy. I think that is why I posted the ‘code monkeys’ would be more interested in XMedia Recode rather than the casual converter, like myself!

I know you are far more skilled than me at video codec. Please don’t pin your opinion on my simple observation. Although, the ease of click-and-drag are my preference!

It can be as simple or as elaborate as you want it to be.

If it's just a format convert that you want then a few clicks will do that.

Start with what you know and then pick a new feature to experiment with. Once you know how to use that go on to a different feature.

That's how I learned to do the things I do.

Both of you are definitely right. Experimenting with a program often leads to discovering ways to fine tune for optimum results.

This being said, for instance, I make a big deal out of installing, configuring and customizing Exact Audio Copy to encode mp3s from CDs exactly how I want them done: 320kbps VBR, with specific file naming conventions to fit Winamp and my portable player. THEN whenever I launch it, it's one-click operation.

I would surely imagine that XMedia Recode is flexibly configurable the same way... look in all the preferences, set things the way the user wants them, and then one-click operation. Even with FormatFactory, I did change the default location for finished converted files, and I always bump up the bit rate from the default 128kbps for mp3 files.

Sometimes, though, I do have to be careful with really complicated software. ImgBurn and Shareaza are very good examples. There are so many options in those programs that even one misplaced checkmark can ruin what I want to do. And unless I take notes, I can't remember what I changed in order to put it back the way it was.

I think the digital camera analogy is a good one. I have one that is pretty much point and shoot... but it is sufficiently flexible for me to customize picture taking to be exactly how I want and need it. IMO, good software enables me to do things easily, with advanced options for customization.

You, my friend, are a genius!

What better way to introduce people to conversion utilities than with a choice?

For those, like me, that only want to convert Video, Audio or Pictures in a semi-controlled environment, the best place to send them is to Format Factory.

For those looking for more absolute control, they need to look into XMedia Recode (Satch’s English Link).

I know this is not the direction you intended, but it’s the direction I took!