One of the necessities of this new arena for creative outlet, as well as the in-house corporate department suddenly asked to put all their training films online, or the commercial Web developer asked to put video content online, is how to compress analog and/or digital video for the Web. If you have at least a rudimentary AV computer (one with audio/video in/out ability) and your graphic card has the ability to digitize your analog video input, you can certainly go far in putting the basic video content online using free tools from Real (www.real.com) and other similar tools.

However, to really make a splash online and provide the highest quality compressed video content with the smallest file size, as well as include embedded copyright information, you need something more powerful. Additionally, if your video content contains audio, the quality of your audio compressor is also important.

To address all of these issues, and many many more, Terran Interactive came out with a product a few years ago called Media Cleaner Pro. I've been using version 3 for quite some time now while working on an independent arts showcase Web site called neotrope.com and found it invaluable. I was excited when I heard a new version was out, but had not had a chance to use it until now.

Media Cleaner Pro is an amazing product that, very simply, offers the best in both video and audio compression for any medium. For a professional environment it allows batch processing of up to 2000 files, ideal for overnight or weekend processing of high volume files vs. one at a time. It allows you to generate multiple versions of the same file, including different formats from the same original file. This is ideal for creating Web content where you wish to provide your audience with QuickTime, RealG2, and Windows Media (ASF) for maximum compatiblity across all systems and browsers. It also allows you to convert between formats if you already have existing content in one format. It also supports MPEG-1 (same as CDVideo), AVI, DV, still images, audio-only, and you can upgrade to full MPEG-2 (DVD) compression for high-end projects. My favorite compression scheme is the included Sorenson Developer Edition, which includes variable bitrate encoding. If you downloaded any of the LucasFilm "Star Wars: Episode One" movie trailers last summer, you've seen the Sorensen codec at work. Truly beautiful.

Far more important than merely being a first-class compression and batch-processing tool, Media Cleaner Pro allows cropping, scaling, and filtering of your content prior to or during compression with an A/B viewing window, which zooms in on your movie to show you the before and after of processing. This allows excellent fine-tuning of the settings. Advanced settings for every function provide for even the smallest tweaking necessary to get the best possible results.

For audio, Media Cleaner Pro 4 includes a suite of MP3 compression software for compressing music and voice for the Web (previously sold separately for $99). For video-based audio, the QDesign codec and Media Cleaner give you massive control over audio shaping including bitrate, low- and high-pass filters with frequency range, noise reduction, dynamic range compressor, noise gate, and notch filter. Without needing to see charts and comparison figures, please take my word that I was able to get distinctly better sounding and smaller files than I could with the more consumer-oriented SoundJam MP software and various shareware tools.

For compatibility, the export module lets Adobe Premiere users process their files from within Media Cleaner. A separate $199 optional OMF Import module adds Avid integration.

Specifically new in this edition is cross-platform support, QuickTime streaming files, RealG2, Windows Media (ASF format), AVI, lossless format conversion, better audio compression, QuickTime poster frames and alternates, and support for VideoCDs with Toast software (MP-1). A well-organized 355-page printed manual is included (also in PDF on the CD). For new users, a built-in "wizard" can also help set up the most used settings for your files for a quick start.

Without a doubt, this product has earned a top slot in my rack of most-used tools. For my Web development and CD-ROM projects, I have found it to be absolutely invaluable. Once you see the final results possible with Media Cleaner Pro, you won't go back to anything else. If you are planning to compress DV-based or analog movies, convert video and/or audio to the Web, then you must try Media Cleaner Pro. For non-professionals, there is also an "EZ" version without many of the higher-end features, but similar high-end results.

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