MainConcept Reference 2 is a powerful yet easy to use application that enables video professionals to transcode video & audio streams into various delivery formats required for Apple iPod®, Sony PSP, Blu-ray Disc, DVD, AVCHD, HDV, XDCAM, Adobe Flash, and others. MainConcept Reference contains “pre-sets” for many popular formats to take the guess-work out of picking the proper output format, and can even capture and encode video live from various sources. There is even a command-line interface for batch transcoding jobs.

MainConcept’s Reference application is unique in that it creates an ecosystem for MainConcept codec plug-ins. The Reference application is provided as a free download and contains all the available MainConcept codec plug-ins, fully functional, in demo mode (demo rendered output video contains a watermark). Users can purchase full versions of codec plug-ins that suit their needs from the MainConcept web store, providing maximum flexibility and affordability.

Currrently supported codecs include:

• MPEG-2 (incl. MPEG-1)
• H.264/AVC (Professional Version)
• H.264/AVC (Broadcast Version)
• MPEG-4 Part 2
• VC-1 Pro
• DVCPRO HD
• JPEG2000
• Dolby Digital Professional
• Dolby Digital Plus Pro

To purchase a MainConcept Reference 2 Codec as full version Plug-In and to receive a serial number to activate it, click one of the Codecs listed above for further details.

After the installation all media data created with the purchased codec Plug-In will be rendered without any watermark. All other codecs remain available in demo mode. Note: The MainConcept Reference 2.1 base application is required to install and use your purchased codec Plug-Ins.

When you want to use MainConcept Reference within a network, please contact your local sales representative at sales@mainconcept.de.

• Capturing from many different devices in their native format and various other codecs.*
• Subtitle rendering support for *.srt and *.sub files.
• New easy-to-use preset structure for quick access to the most important presets.
• Many powerful video and audio filters for different production environments and occasions.
• Improved user Interface for better handling and managing of transcoding jobs and projects.
• Direct access to import modules when opening streams for transcoding.
• Numerous ready-to-use export presets, including many new and improved ones.
• User friendly software protection for quick and easy access to the full version features after purchase.
• Configurable preset shortcuts for quick access to often used transcoding profiles.
• Powerful command-line interface allows preset based transcoding jobs in a convenient way, e.g. on a server (including capturing support).
• Pluggable input and output formats.
• Up-/down scaling of any input size to output dimensions.
• Framerate/sample rate conversion.
• Supports all features of the MainConcept codecs.
• Watch folder to allow background transcoding.
• Specify in-/out points for encoding.
• Chapter point support.
• Batch encoding: multiple tasks allowed, where each task can have multiple input files.
• Saving/restoring batch lists.
• Drag & drop new files from Explorer into the batch tasks.
• Specify target output file size.
• Muxing streams from different input files.
• View input and output file in external player.

*Capturing is only available in Reference for Windows.

Available Input Formats:

• DirectShow import (Win)
• QuickTime import (Win)
• MPEG-1/2, MPEG-4 Part 2, VC-1 & H.264
• DVCPRO
• JPEG2000

Available Output Video Formats

• H.264/AVC
• MPEG-1/2
• DVCPRO 25/50/100 (HD)
• MPEG-4 Part 2
• VC-1
• JPEG2000

Available Output Audio Formats:

• PCM
• MPEG-1 Audio
• AAC
• WMA
• Dolby Digital Professional
• Dolby Digital Plus Pro

Available Output Muxer Formats:

• Elementary Stream
• MPEG-2 PS/TS
• MP4
• 3GP
• F4V
• ASF
• MXF
• AVI
• MJ2
• DIF
• RAW

High-Resolution Manuals:
The documentation of MainConcept Reference is included in the demo version. However, it can also be downloaded separately to give you an overview of the powerful transcoding application. The high-resolution manual is available for free downloading below, in zipped Adobe® Acrobat® format. Currently, only the English version is available.

English manual for MainConcept Reference
(8.60 MB)

To use MainConcept Reference 2, you'll need to make sure that your computer system meets at least these minimum requirements:

Operating systems:

• Microsoft® Windows® 7, XP, Vista and 2000
  (we recommend to install always the current Service Pack for the used operating system), Microsoft®  DirectX 9.0®.
• Mac OS X 10.5 or higher (Mac/Intel)

Attention:
Before you start to install the new version of MainConcept Reference 2.1, please uninstall the current one. Additionally, make sure that no other MainConcept program is running during uninstallation or installation.

When you want to use MainConcept Reference within a network, please contact your local sales representative at sales(at)mainconcept.com.

Update Reference 2.0 to 2.1 Windows:

Reference 2.1 Windows includes the serial number protection again, you know from other MainConcept software. If you have problems updating or miss a valid license key, please write an e-mail to sales(at)mainconcept.de, and we will take care of your request as soon as possible.

Upgrade from Reference 1.x to 2.1 – 50% Special Discount on the First Order:

For a limited time only, MainConcept is offering Reference 1.x customers a 50% discount on the first order for Reference 2.0 Codec Plug-Ins.
Whether you want to order just one Reference Codec Plug-in only, or you want to order the entire set of Codec Plug-Ins, you get a 50% discount on your first order.

Why upgrade? With Reference 2.1 you get powerful new features including:

• Capture functionality
• New preset structure for quick access to the most important presets.
• Subtitle rendering support for *.srt and *.sub files.

For details on how to get your 50% discount, e-mail your name, a copy of your invoice and the Reference 1.x serial number to sales(at)mainconcept.de. Take advantage of this limited time offer today!