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Since Apple has been on Intel chips, compressionists everywhere have been scrambling for a universal binary video compression program (Rosetta is useless for high end programs). Matter of fact, UNEASYsilence relied on YouTube to compress our media into FLV.

Thankfully, not too long ago Sorenson stepped up to the plate and updated Squeeze, the long used gold standard in compression. Even though Squeeze has been the choice of professionals for years, there is a new (and potentially better) player in town.

Telestream, the creators of Flip4Mac, have updated their own video compression software as a universal binary, and in that update they may have created the easiest to use and fastest desktop encoder for the Mac. And when I say fast, I mean FAST! Episode tears through any media file I throw at it, properly utilizing every ounce of the Intel chip. To encode two minute Flash 8 Video from a high definition source took less then one minute on a Core2Duo.

The new version of Episode Series version includes encoding for VC-1 and HDV, MPEG 1 2 and 4, MOV, WM9, WMA Pro, DV, 3GPP, AMC, Flash Video, plus sound support for AIFF, M4A and surround encoding for 5.1 audio.

If you compress video, even occasionally, I highly suggest that you try Episode (They have a 30 day free trial), if you enter the code 50OFFEPISODE before December 31st you can get $50 any version.