As it stands, the device is an unquestionable bargain. It combines easy-to-use software with an unobtrusive USB dongle to accelerate H.264 encodes. Installation is simple. Copy the minimalist software to your Applications folder, and plug the device into an available USB2 slot. Drag a movie file onto its interface, and choose among of five export options in the drop down menu: four Apple device presets, and one for the Sony PSP. These presets also appear in other apps that support these type of exports. Select the one you want, and encode, or modify the preset.

The turbo.264 presets exactly match Apple's specifications for video resolution and data rata for each device. Accordingly, you cannot exceed these specs when creating a custom preset. You are further limited by the maximum bit rate and 800x600 resolution of the embedded encoder chip used by elgato. Additional functionality can be added by firmware and software updates, but higher resolution and bit rate with this chip isn't possible. Note also that the full USB2 bandwidth is being utilized. Within these limitations, however, the device excels. Did I say that wish there was a pro version?

While targeted at consumer video enthusiasts, the device has professional video applications as well. Dallies from field locations can be quickly encoded and distributed to clients for review. Event videographers can produce high quality iPod Touch or iPhone videos to show prospective clients or for use with the Apple TV device.

I tested the device's capabilities for HD source footage using a fifty-five (55) second DVCProHD 720/24p 312/MB test file. And I was impressed. Encodes were tested using a MacBook Pro 2.4Ghz running QT 7.4 and Leopard 10.5.1 and a MacPro 2.66Ghz dual core, running Leopard, but with QT 7.3.1. I compared the turbo.264 encodes with the freeware application iSquint on both laptop and desktop, and additionally with exports from the Apple's QT Pro player on the MacPro. The DVCProHD footage was acquired with a Panasonic HVX200 in 720/24pNative and edited in FCP. My tests did not extend to HDV footage.

The following graph represents my results:

The numbers are noteworthy. The turbo.264 excelled on the slower MacBook Pro, a conclusion supported by other reviewers. iPod device exports using the turbo.264 were nearly 100% faster than iSquint. AppleTV encodes weren't as dramatic, but were impressive. I didn't test QuickTime Pro player with the MacBook Pro, because it wasn't installed. However, my guess is that Turbo.264 would perform better than the QT Pro app.

Field editors on a MBP should see a second benefit with the Turbo.264. There was no performance hit to other programs when encoding with the Turbo.264.

As expected, QT exports on the MacPro were faster - marginally - than the turbo.264. iSquint placed a distant third. I couldn't test on any non-Intel desktops, but anecdotal reports are that the turbo.264 is faster than software alone. I did experience a skewed export using the AppleTV device preset in the QT 7.3.1 on the MacPro. This was corrected with the release of QT 7.4, however.

The turbo.264 is an impressive device for encoding to H.264 Apple device presets, particularly when using slower Macintoshes, or in the field with a laptop. It provides an efficient means to distribute field edits, provide highly efficient and quality video for web sites, and as a marketing tools for event videographers. Its treatment of DVCProHD footage was impressive using the supplied device presets. However, I wish it were more.

Copyright ©2008 David A. Saraceno