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Provides: Video compression

Format: Download or CD (Nate Caplin training on DVD)

Developer: Sorenson Media

Minimum Requirements: G4 PowerPC, Mac OS X v10.3, 128MB RAM, 90MB available hard disk space, QuickTime v7

Processor Compatibility: Universal

Retail Price: $799.00 complete, $378.00 upgrade from Suite 4.x, $79.00 upgrade from PowerPack 4.x

Availability: Out now

Version Reviewed: 4.5.5

Upgrades such as this have to frustrate the typical user. On one hand, if you're anything like me, you always want the latest and greatest software. There's nothing more frustrating than being faced with a task that you know could be handle more efficiently and effectively after a software upgrade. On the other hand, upgrades can get expensive, and the cost/performance ratio doesn't always justify an upgrade each time one is released.

So, if you're using Sorenson Squeeze Compression Suite v4.3 or lower, is it worth the $378.00 to upgrade to the Sorenson Squeeze Compression Suite PowerPack v4.5? It does if you're on a Intel Mac. Now a Universal app, the speed increase on Intel Macs is significant. In previous versions, compressing a ten minute movie could take so long that I would never sit at the computer while it was going on, I'd just check in from time to time. With v4.5, the first time I checked in, the video was done. I assumed it didn't work and compressed it again, and only then saw that Squeeze had, in fact, done its job.

Now, if you're compressing a lot of video, a speed increase such as this can quickly pay for itself. But if you don't need a quick turnaround or haven't upgraded to an Intel Mac, that's where we have to look at everything else Sorenson offers in the update. First, though, a quick recap.

Squeeze is a video encoding tool that makes it easy for users to compress their video content for output to web, CD or DVD applications. This can be as simple as opening your video, selecting a preset output format, and telling the software to do its thing. Those more experienced with the science of audio and video, however, can gain more control over the final product by tweaking nearly ever aspect of the compression along the way (with some curious omissions, discussed below). Numerous input and output formats are accepted, details of which can be found at Sorenson's website. A more in-depth look at what the Sorenson Squeeze Compression Suite does and how it does it can be found in my review of v4.3. Here, I want to focus on the upgrades.

I've already discussed the speed increase, so the next most obvious update to experienced users will be the numerous new presets, such as those for On2 VP6 for Flash 8 and Apple H.264 for iPod.

Although the iPod compression presets are handy, I can't imagine they'll be as important to most Squeeze users as will the VP6 codecs for Flash 8. Considering the rise of Flash videos on the web, the more support Squeeze offers for this format, the better. It should be reinforced here that On2 VP6 Pro encoding is only offered in the Squeeze PowerPack and Squeeze for Flash boxes. Standard Compression Suite users will be left with Spark for Flash output. Users of both levels will get the ability to attach skins to their .SWF and .FLV files, choosing from over 20 provided templates or the ability to create your own.

PowerPack users also receive the Flip4Mac WMV9 encoder. The support here is quite extensive, and much to my horror, I found I often sometimes preferred the WMV9 results over my QuickTime results. Let's keep that between you and me, though.

The nice batch processing capabilities remain, as does the ability to easily output to multiple formats at once so you can compare the files for the best quality to file size trade-off. Now that files are compressed up to three times faster, this is no longer such a chore.

DVD disc burning has been added to the mix, but this capability is still in its infancy. For instance, it doesn't support Dolby Digital or multichannel audio, and the set-up for DVD burning isn't nearly as intuitive as the rest of the program. I'm sure these issues and others will be addressed in future versions, but for now, you're still better off burning your DVDs with Toast 8 Titanium.

Problems with previous versions remain, as well. Image processing isn't the best with some formats, and doesn't stand up to the competition (although, to be fair, the competition can be considerably more expensive). Also, the available filters in Squeeze are lacking basic controls such as sharpen and saturation.

And more subjectively, the entire GUI of Squeeze could use an overhaul. It's one of the few video compression tools that's available for both Mac and PC (in fact, bonus points are awarded to Sorenson because registration gives you license to run the program on one Mac and one PC, which is great for if you're in a multi-platform environment), so I get that they want to use the same interface for both. However, it feels more like an old Mac OS 9 Kaleidoscope theme than something designed for either Mac OS X or Windows XP/Vista. The layout of the windows and tools is fine, but the frame is too industrial.

One feature of the PowerPack not covered here is the Nate Caplin training DVD. My review unit didn't come with this, but you can get the details of the DVD at Sorenson Media website.

Sorenson Squeeze Compression Suite PowerPack v4.5 is still a good program, and those just now jumping into video compression for output to multiple formats will be pleased with how easy Squeeze can be while allowing room for you to grow in your comfort with micromanaging the settings. The update to the PowerPack v4.5 may not be worth the hefty price tag, however, for those not running Intel machines or who don't need extensive Flash video support.