[Noopie]

I'm interested in creating VideoCDs. I'm importing video onto my computer via Sony Media Converter. Then compressing it into MPEG format using the iMovie plugin that came with Toast 5. However, I find this plug is extremely slow. I know that it need to compress it quite a bit, but I was wondering if anyone knows of any software or external hardware that would accelerate the MPEG compression process. Thanks

By the way, I have a powerbook (so no PCI cards)

[Mighty Hetfield]

Yes, I'm thinking of getting the sony media converter to do the same thing. Unfortunately the conversion to MPEG1 is terribly slow. Even expensive software like MediaCleaner is really slow too. Heuris makes a plug-in for iMovie (or FCP, can't remember)but I doubt it's any faster.
Your PB processor and RAM might make a difference though. From what I know, a 70-80min movie takes 4to6 hrs. to decode on a fairly fast G4.As for hardware decoders, I'd imagine they're too expensive and probably would convert form DV.
Hope I could help.