Moth3r said:

I've read good things about HC Encoder from respectable members on the Doom9 forum; although I've not tried it myself as I am so used to CCE. Apparently it is slower than CCE but produces comparable quality. It is wrong to automatically assume that CCE is way better just because it's a commercial product.

Quite right. I've read that too. It is most definitely slower - I've used both - but I don't think there's much in it quality wise. Even if it is almost as good, it is great that there is a free encoder for people to use that is so near the standard of a top commercial product such as CCE.