Elgato (http://www.elgato.com) has released a software edition of Turbo.264 HD, a video converter for the Mac. It gives users the ability to instantly edit HD camcorder clips without converting them first, and supports nearly any kind of video source format.
It uses advanced encoding technology to convert any video file to a high-quality iPhone- and iPad-compatible format. The interface offers pre-installed output formats for iPad, iPhone, YouTube and more. The software edition of Turbo.264 HD is available for download immediately in the Elgato Online Store at a price of US$49.95 USD. A hardware-accelerated version of Turbo.264 HD is also available.
Turbo.264 HD automatically detects USB camcorders and enables users to preview and edit video clips before importing them. Turbo.264 HD Software Edition does not require a lengthy conversion into an intermediate format, according to the folks at Elgato.
Turbo.264 HD can handle nearly any kind of video file, including formats that are non-native on the Mac such as MKV or wmv. Turbo.264 automatically adds converted videos into iTunes to sync with connected Apple devices. Video collectors can add details before converting, such as a description and episode numbers, to keep their iTunes library organized.
Using encoding technology, Turbo.264 HD converts standard- and high-definition files faster than other H.264 video encoders. It follows Apple’s specifications for H.264 videos and uses Elgato’s Progressive Scan method for video deinterlacing.
The Turbo.264 HD is available in a software edition, and a hardware-accelerated version is also available. A free trial is available at http://www.downloads2.elgato.com/turbodownloads/demo/software/turbohd_demo.dmg .
The hardware-accelerated version of Turbo.264 HD boosts the speed of video conversion from two to four times, even on the fastest Mac. The hardware accelerator connects via USB to act as a “co-processor” and comes complete with the software. The Turbo.264 HD (with hardware accelerator) is available in the Elgato Online Store at a price of $99.95.
