Encoding Tools Product Review

Sorenson Squeeze Compression Suite, $449
At $449, the Squeeze Compression Suite is a bit less expensive than either Cleaner XL or ProCoder, and that doesn't hurt. Yet Squeeze is more about features than price, though oddly, "features" in this case can work both ways. Squeeze can appeal to very different crowds with very different levels of compression sophistication.

First, as an encoding automation application, Squeeze gets nice marks for being easy to use. If you're looking for a tool that gives access to basic encoding parameters, but thrives on simplicity, Squeeze is worth a look. The main interface is straightforward, featuring a series of format buttons across the top of the main window (there are six in the full Compression Suite, less if you purchase the components separately). Open a source file, select any combination of the format buttons, choose a bitrate preset from another group of buttons, and "Squeeze It." Naturally, you can get in a little deeper into encoding parameters— customize bitrate, crop, set keyframes intervals, etc.—if you like, but encoding can be that easy.

The six format buttons in the full Compression Suite are FLV (for Macromedia Flash MX), SWF (self-contained Flash files), MPEG-4 (Sorenson's own), MOV (QuickTime, but only the Sorenson Video 3 codec), RealMedia, and Windows Media. It's that collection of mostly proprietary compression technology that isn't available elsewhere that should appeal to expert compressionists. That's particularly true of the Spark Pro codec for Macromedia Flash MX, the only video compression that can be seamlessly and natively integrated into a Flash movie. Other video formats can open in a window in Flash, but Flash now includes native Spark decode and the video can become part of the SWF itself, responding to user controls, containing hot spots, and more.

However, the combination of an easy-to-use, relatively feature-limited (compared to ProCoder or Cleaner XL) inter- face against very powerful compression technology creates a dichotomy between users looking for simple and those wanting advanced tools. It would be better for Cleaner users, for example, to have Spark Pro or Sorenson MPEG-4 show up as codec choices in Cleaner with all its adjustment parameters and image filters and integrate into a familiar workflow. But for the present, Sorenson and Discreet do not have such a partnership. Moreover, Discreet no longer supports any Sorenson codecs within Cleaner XL. It would be even better for Macromedia to offer a full version of the Spark Pro in a slightly more expensive Video Edition of Flash MX, but as yet there is no such bundle.

That leaves either the Squeeze Compression Suite or Squeeze for Macromedia Flash MX ($149) as the only ways to access full control of Spark Pro encoding parameters. Macromedia Flash MX ships with Spark, but offers only cursory encoding controls, like an inexact slider for quality control and few other fine-tuning options. With Squeeze, you get options like precise bitrate control, CBR and 1- or 2-pass VBR options, keyframe intervals, and audio compression choices that serious coders demand.

Squeeze also does automatic fade in and fade out, just like Cleaner and ProCoder, as well as cropping, de-interlacing, two-mode noise reduction, and basic brightness, contrast, gamma, and white and black restore filters.

Ultimately, professionals will likely be frustrated by the simplicity and lack of power of the Squeeze interface. Still, Sorenson's unique compression technology, especially if you're a Flash developer, should override the modesty of the interface.