By Daniel Eran Dilger

Published: 12:00 PM EST (09:00 AM PST)

Using Crunch to convert video files

As noted earlier, Crunch also offers to convert a variety of other formats, including DivX and MPEG-2. For users who have already ripped their DVD collections to a format not supported by the Apple TV or iPod, this presents a different scenario where Crunch might be useful as a simple tool for converting both existing ripped movies, as well as video files from a variety of other sources.

The Apple TV conversion presets in Crunch default to "Automatic," with "High," "Fastest," and "Custom" as alternative options. Because Crunch does not specify how these settings will affect the output apart from its estimated file size, it is a matter of experimental trial and error to determine if it's worth it to use different settings. In its custom settings, Crunch only offers the basic conversion settings available in QuickTime Pro, and in fact, the dialog box options in Crunch for custom conversion settings are identical to those presented by QuickTime Pro's custom export settings:



There is no preview shown nor any explanation given to suggest to users how making any changes to the custom settings will affect quality or conversion time. Since video conversion is very processor intensive and can take an hour or more even on newer computers, expert settings can make a huge difference in how long the conversion takes. By default, Crunch's Automatic settings only do a singe pass conversion. This is faster, but offers much less potential quality compared to using multipass conversions, which scan over the source file multiple times to optimize the quality and file size at the expense of taking longer to finish.

Users would benefit from being presented with this information to help them in converting their content based on whether they want it done fast, at high quality, or a smaller files sizes. Unfortunately, Crunch only presents the barest details with no guidance, relying solely on offering a simplistic interface instead.

Just as Roxio's Toast can select multiple files to burn to the same CD, Crunch also allows users to select multiple files and convert them in one step. It does not allow users to start additional conversions once one is underway however, nor can additional files be added to the existing conversion queue. Even QuickTime Pro allows users to export multiple videos at once, and provides a way to cancel individual operations independently. Crunch only offers to cancel the entire operation. This aspect of Crunch feels very much rooted in a classic Mac OS interface mindset, where one task consumes the entire program.

Even worse, Crunch's conversions do not necessarily work properly. A DivX 6.0 encoded AVI file with a typical MP3 soundtrack I converted using Crunch was successfully output to an Apple TV compatible format, but the audio was bumped about a full second out of sync with the video throughout the entire movie, making the resulting video useless. When I converted the same file using QuickTime Pro on the same system with the free DivX QuickTime components installed, the resulting file's audio was properly synced. This does not bode well for users hoping to benefit from Crunch's non-QuickTime DivX support.

Essentially, Crunch offers a spartan, one click interface to QuickTime. Select a video file, select the output source, and Crunch offers to convert it without forcing the user to walking through a lot of details. Crunch does offer to drop the output file directly into iTunes and ready to sync with the Apple TV, saving users the hassle of locating their files and coping them around manually after doing the conversion, but this does not seem to be worth Roxio's $50 price tag.

Unless users are addicted to the Toast interface, it would in many cases make more sense to simply buy the $30 QuickTime Pro upgrade from Apple in order to convert QuickTime file types with a degree of customizability, and use the free HandBrake for converting DVDs. Roxio should either reconsider the price it is asking for this utility, or include some expert support within Crunch to help guide users to customize their conversions.

Unable to match the features of the free HandBrake, with an interface only slightly simpler than QuickTime Pro but offering with less consistent results, Crunch doesn't seem to be worth its $50 price.

Pros:

• Simple, easy to use interface.
• Basic integration with iTunes.
• Support for DivX and MPEG-2 conversion.

Cons:

• Requires third party tools to actually rip DVD movies.
• Problematic DivX support.
• Steep price for a tool with free alternatives.
• Lacks expert contextual advice and help in custom conversion settings.
• Lacks expert features expected for an Apple TV product, including Pro Logic II support.

Ripping and Conversion Utilities

Roxio Crunch, Popcorn http://www.roxio.com/enu/store/mac.html
HandBrake - http://handbrake.m0k.org/
MactheKnife - http://www.mactheripper.org/
Apple QuickTime Pro - http://www.apple.com/quicktime

Free QuickTime Components

Microsoft WMA codecs - http://www.microsoft.com/windows/windowsmedia/player/wmcomponents.mspx
Perian AVI codecs - http://perian.org/
Divx codecs - http://www.divx.com/divx/mac/codec
XviD codecs - http://www.xvid.org/Software.83.0.html
Xiph codecs - http://xiph.org/quicktime/