(8)
Your rating: Now say why...
Turbo.264 is the easiest and fastest way to convert videos to superior quality H.264 (MP4) files for iTunes, and is perfect for anyone who wants to put their own video content on an iPod®, iPhone™, Apple TV™ or Sony PSP®. Because Turbo.264 is a hardware encoder, it frees up the processor for other tasks while video encoding is in progress. Think of it as a "co-processor" for your Mac-a real benefit for anyone who likes to keep several applications open while converting videos, especially on older Macs.
Turbo.264 comes with its own video converter software. The
Turbo.264 comes with its own video converter software. The
What's New
Version 1.4:
- YouTube Upload
- DVD Chapter Markers
- Dolby Digital™ AC-3 Audio Passthrough for Apple TV Exports
- QuickTime Broadcaster Support
- Bug Fixes
- System Preferences Installation
- Download Read Me Files
Requirements
PPC / Intel,Elgato Turbo.264 video encoder hardware
Macintosh computer with PowerPC G4, PowerPC G5 or Intel Core processor
512 MB of RAM
built-in USB 2.0 port
Mac OS X 10.4 (or later, Mac OS X 10.5 Leopard recommended with all software and security updates installed)
QuickTime 7.4 (or later)
iTunes 7.5 (or later)
PPC / Intel,
Turbo.264 User Discussion (Write a Review)
Overall:
(8)
(8)
| Downloads:5,155 |
| Version Downloads:3,347 |
| Type:Multimedia & Design : Video |
| License:Updater |
| Date:02 Jun 2009 |
| Platform:PPC / Intel |
| Price:Free |
Overall (Version 1.x):   |
| Features: |
| Ease of Use: |
| Value: |
| Stability: |
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Turbo.264 is the easiest and fastest way to convert videos to superior quality H.264 (MP4) files for iTunes, and is perfect for anyone who wants to put their own video content on an iPod®, iPhone™, Apple TV™ or Sony PSP®. Because Turbo.264 is a hardware encoder, it frees up the processor for other tasks while video encoding is in progress. Think of it as a "co-processor" for your Mac-a real benefit for anyone who likes to keep several applications open while converting videos, especially on older Macs.
Turbo.264 comes with its own video converter software. The application converts the files, drops them into iTunes, and automatically syncs with an iPod, iPhone, or other device connected to iTunes.
Turbo.264 also supports the export command of most popular Macintosh video applications, such as iMovie®, QuickTime Pro®, Final Cut Pro® and EyeTV®. Turbo.264 works in conjunction with these applications to dramatically accelerate the video encoding process, and is highly recommended for use with EyeTV's Wi-Fi Access feature.
Turbo.264 comes with its own video converter software. The application converts the files, drops them into iTunes, and automatically syncs with an iPod, iPhone, or other device connected to iTunes.
Turbo.264 also supports the export command of most popular Macintosh video applications, such as iMovie®, QuickTime Pro®, Final Cut Pro® and EyeTV®. Turbo.264 works in conjunction with these applications to dramatically accelerate the video encoding process, and is highly recommended for use with EyeTV's Wi-Fi Access feature.
Copyright © 2012 MacUpdate LLC
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+15
Antoniong reviewed on 26 Jun 2011
There is no option to burn in.
No option to create a .srt files.
So useless.
Henkdejonghoorn reviewed on 18 Apr 2011
-14
Supershuttle reviewed on 18 Feb 2011
+915
Misha reviewed on 16 Feb 2011
Having said that, if you don't want to tax your processor or if you have an older Mac, this is great (the older your Mac, the more significant the speed gains from Turbo.264 are vs. software).
+1
+111
Users of Turbo.264 HD SE have to go to websites, like
http://mewiki.project357.com/wiki/MeGUI/Video_Encoder_Configuration/x264
and Elgato calls this support. Every freeware author has more useful documention than Elgato.
+2
+23
I've been using Turbo.264 HD for some time now, mostly for preparing the TV I record for viewing on both my iPod Touch and now my iPad.
But the feature I like the most is the boost it gives to streaming TV to my iPad where ever I can get wi/fi.
In my experience, a very useful and solid product.
+12
I really don't understand why I have to spend 50$ more to have just what other software are doing for less (Quicktime Pro?) using the same usb stick or even for free...
+1
+406
Turbo.264 HD version 1.1 now available
http://forums.elgato.com/viewtopic.php?f=128&t=8517&start=0
+1
+12
You're right! Just downloaded and it keeps the serial number!
Thanks!
+35
+1
+149
Pedro Fardilha reviewed on 14 Nov 2009
A simple and nice app that interacts with a dedicated piece of hardware to ease the ever increasing need of video conversions.
At the same time it won't max your processor usage, making it possible to keep working on something else.
Like I said, I like the concept... to bad in real life it doesn't work that well.
Turbo.264 HD is quite prone to crash making the whole easy of use concept just a nice idea.
Also Elgato doesn't care that much about the constant complains that just keep on popping on their forums .
I should know what I'm talking about, after all I made the same mistake twice (argh!!). First with the original Turbo.264 and now with the HD version.
So, why did I make the same mistake twice?
Well, because even with all the "personality traits" that it shows, it's still the fastest way for my to convert my home made movies in AVCHD format.
So, just to sum it up:
If you have a AVCHD camera and you wish to find a way to quickly convert them, this is the thing to buy.
But... hypothetically speaking, if someone hands over to you some DivX or MKV that you, for some reason, want to convert without that much effort... well, for that I could never recommend Turbo.264 HD. All those constant errors and the lack of proper support from Elgato, make of this more of a headache than it should be. For those I would have to recommend a SVN version of Handbrake.
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+2
+23
In Turbo.264 you have standard settings like "iPod High, iPod standard, etc." and if you press "edit" in the same pull down menu you are able to set things (quality, audio) just like you want.
For example:
Video settings in Turbo.264:
-Size: resolution
-Aspect Ratio: 4:3, 14:9, 16:9, wide
-Overscan
-Framerate: all the standards from 15 to 30 but also custom!
-Data Rate
Audio settings in Turbo.264:
-Sample Rate: 24000, 32000, 44100 & 48000 khz
-Channels: Mono/Stereo
-Data Rate: from 64 to 160 kbps
And it also depends on the source file...
What about speed?
I can't believe that Handbrake comes even close! Did you ever converted a 2 houres long high quality movie with both apps?
Never the less, if you don't like Turbo.264 you can always use Quicktime. The Elgato turbo 264 stick is fully integrated with Quicktime and gives you even more speed (just a few fps). And you also can use the x264 software based codec in Quicktime.
Handbrake is a good product and free. But you can't compare, in my opinion, both programs.
One program (Turbo.264) is for a hardware codec baked in a microchip (the Elgato turbo 264) and the other program is using the x264 software based codec.
If you want speed (64bits with more then 4Gb RAM Macs) in Handbrake you lose compability with iTunes, iPod, Apple TV...
A person is free to use what he thinks is the best.
I quote you: "But once I recently encoded a movie using Handbrake I will NOT go back to Turbo.264." end quote.
Did you even tried version 1.3?
Did you even tried other video/audio settings or even Quicktime?
Before I bought Elgatos Turbo 264 stick I tried many programs! Handbrake but also shareware with big promises... For me this is the best solution!
I converted my entire Video folder with Turbu.264. 60 Gb of video files I had collected over the years and in various formats in just a few days ;-).
I realy can't complain about the quality. It's well done and I also have much more extra space on my HD thanks to the program.
I wonder how long Handbrake would take for the same job?
With kind regards.
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+1
+23
I understand from the link that this lack of sharpness only happens with the Turbo.264 program? But you still can use your Elgato stick with other programs? Or am I wrong?
I'm afraid that the Elgato hardware (the stick) is a program (a codec) in a microchip. So you can't change that... It's not a codec in a chip you can program (like a firmware microchip)...
And I don't believe there is even firmware.
I think this is just a software problem in the Turbo.264 program because it does not happens in other programs with the stick. Or am I wrong here?
Have you tested this version? The forum thread is from januari, so maybe and hopefully for you this is solved now?
Any feedback would be welcome on this issue!
I also own an Apple TV and never used the Turbo.264 for movies. Just for programs I recorded with EyeTV.
So feedback would be very welcome!
How is the feedback and support from Elgato?
With kind regards and thanks for the link!
BTW: The movies I converted with version 1.2 are sharp on my Apple screen. It's also sharp on my iPod Touch.
And the programs from EyeTV that I sync with the Apple TV are also converted with Turbo.264 and are sharp (the only thing I do is not converting from whitin EyeTV because of an ugly border on my PHILIPS LCD TV. Instead I drag the recordings from the folder to the software and then I don't have this issue).
BTW2: The bugs I have need to be checked with the new 1.3 version and the new 3.0.2 version from EyeTV!!!
So you see, I have bugs too :-). But for the moment only very small ones... Which I'm almost sure they will solve in time...
BTW3: I'm still convinced this Turbo 264 USB stick is a great product! The software is user friendly and is evolving...
I never used software which is bugfree. Bugfree software simply does not excist! Even the best OS on the planet has bugs ;-). And believe me, as a betatester for several companies I know about bugs... There is no such thing as bugfree software.
-1
I never did a (for example) 2GB vs. 2GB side by side test.
Also a 3GB H.264 final file is good with me file size-wise. I could get about 635 movies onto one 2TB hard drive and all the movie be awesome quality. NICE!
I wanted to be able to get a bigger file size out of Turbo.264 but couldn't figure out how to get there. Maybe if it was possible to set a target file size (and that being 1GB larger than I could get) than the clarity would be better. But I just couldn't find a setting in the software to do that. Handbrake does take longer for certain though.
And another thing... I have an AppleTV and a 52" 1080p LCD TV. I am very impressed that I am encoding a SD movie (from DVD) and playing it on my 1080p and getting the results I am. I was looking through samples last night and viewing I AM LEGEND. There were parts where I could see all the pours on Will Smith's face. So I am NOT worried at all about going from SD DVD movies to a 1080p HD TV after seeing what I saw. In the beginning I did not think I would be getting that good results.
So... it would be nice to see them add TARGET FILE SIZE to the Turbo.264 software. Then I would love to try it again.
The issue is I have about 800 DVD movies that I am wanting to convert down to H.264. And yes it is going to be an ongoing project.
But it is so cool (and has been my plan for along time) to be able to sit down on my couch and simply scroll through my TV screen and hit play for any movie I own and it just starts right up.
-Josh
+1
Weekdayheroes rated on 19 Mar 2011
+7
Dochoz rated on 19 Feb 2011