Lotta good questions you have there. I can help you with a couple. For most of my encoding I use Vegas Video or Premiere direct after editing. It's pretty simple this way. If I go outside of those two programs I use
Cleaner 5 or Windows Encoding
Utility. The stand alone encoder is bullshit. The utility runs in the command prompt and is faster and you have complete control over all settings.
Of all of the options Cleaner 5 is the most thorough. You can encode Real,WMV,MPEG 1,2,3, & 4, and Quicktime.
WMV is my favorite. WM8 is the smallest and best and of course most computers can use it because Bill Gates said so, therefore it is.
Seriously though, some people can make Mpegs super small and some people can make quicktime look incredible. It's all in those extra little seemingly simple settings that most people just trust the defaults instead of tinkering with that makes the difference.
Divx is great but most people can't play them and won't be able to without downloading extra stuff for a while.
Real sucks ass. Down with Realplayer!
