VisualHub

Reviewed by Ted Bade

Visual Hub provides features to let you easily convert computer video files from one format to another. It is easy to use, although you should realize that working with video can be time consuming. If you have ever needed to convert a multimedia file from one format to another, for any reason, take a look at VisualHub.

VisualHub can convert video type files between any of the following formats: iPod, PSP, DV, DVD, AVI, MP4, WMV, MPEG, and Flash. It is as simple as drop the file on the VisualHub window, decide what format to convert it to, and press the start button. The VisualHub application takes care of performing the necessary digital magic to make it happen.

The reason why one would want to convert these files are numerous. Essentially, if you have a video file and want to use it in a particular device or with a particular application, you may need to convert it to a format that is compatible before you can use it. Whatever your format need VisualHub can help.

My introduction to VisualHub was as a really slick solution to convert MPEG-2 files that I got from my Tivo, into a format I could use on my iPod. Essentially I just needed to drop the video file onto VisualHub’s window, click on start, then sit back and wait. (Note: VisualHub won’t convert .tivo files to standard MPEG2, that is up to you to do).

VisualHub’s default settings will satisfy most people. However, if you are one to tweak a video file, VisualHub does offer some options to modify the conversion. For instance, for the iPod format conversion, you can select to optimize for either the iPod or TV. You can also increase the “Quality” level of the conversion from the standard to a higher quality or a lower quality. There is also the somewhat scary “advanced options” button, that lets you get deep into the video magic process. This area is for experts and magicians only. The warning at the top of the advanced options window warns:

“Don’t! You’ll screw it all up!”

I won’t go into the options present in these advanced windows, mostly because I don’t really understand them. Personally, I wouldn’t adjust anything in this window. However, if you are familiar with these things, just be aware that VisualHub gives you a lot of power over the conversion process. Each conversion type includes its set of preferences pertaining to that format.

If you are a Tivo user, you may or may not be aware of an ability to move videos from your computer to the Tivo to watch on your TV. These videos have to be correctly formatted before this will work. Of course, VisualHub offers this conversion. You can convert a video file to MPEG and click a button to format it for the Tivo. I tried this feature by taking a video clip I made with my digital camera, converting it to MPEG2, then uploading to the Tivo. Now we can watch the video clip on the TV! Cool beans.

In order to make this work, you need to have the Tivo Desktop system preference pane installed on your Macintosh and the “Videos” tab, which is by default turned off, turned on. The VisualHub package includes a script called “TiVoGoBack Enabler” that will turn on the “Videos” tab in the Tivo Desktop preference pane.

I was impressed with how VisualHub handles a conversion to DVD format. It did the complete process from the conversion of the video file to actually burning a DVD. Then all I had to do was plop the DVD into a standard DVD player to watch it. There were two gotchas during this process. First of all, it is a good idea to name your DVD, otherwise you get a silly default name when you insert it into a computer’s DVD drive. Secondly, is when to insert the blank DVD. Most Mac users are used to being asked by the application for something when it is needed. In the case if VisualHub, they expect that you insert the blank DVD when you start the conversion process. If you don’t, VisualHub will sit and wait for a DVD. It won’t alert you to this fact, but just sit and wait. When you read their fine manual describing this process, you find that the DVD should be inserted at the start of the process. Ultimately, this makes sense. Completing the process takes a good long while. Insert the DVD when you start and go get a coffee or go watch a movie, depending upon the speed of your Macintosh.

Two aspects of working with video files one needs to consider is the power of their Macintosh and the time they intend to spend on these projects. Working with video takes a lot of processing power, the less processing power you have, the more time it takes. But even a more powerful computer will spend a goodly amount of time working video. I discovered that my aging G5/1.8GHz PowerMac can spend a lot of time crunching video files. I was very happy to find that my wife’s Intel DualCore MacMini could significantly reduce the amount of time it takes to convert an MPEG file into DVD format. Having a more powerful chip can be a real advantage when working with video files.

It is also a good idea to know what format you really want before you start a conversion. If you tie up your machine for an hour or so converting a file, you won’t be happy to discover that the format you selected wasn’t really what you wanted! ;-)

Running VisualHub is so easy that a manual is really unnecessary. However, the package includes a PDF manual that answers a lot of questions. While it isn’t really necessary, it is often a good idea to read the section concerning the type of conversion you are going to run before doing it, at least the first time. For one thing, you might learn something interesting about the format or the process before you start for another you will learn what input ViualHub expects from you.

If you read the manual or run the program, you will notice a few subtle remarks here and there that spice up working with the application. From the warning on the top of the advanced options window to the quotes that begin each chapter in the manual. It’s all fun.

If you want to play with video files you will probably need the abilities offered by VisualHub many times. It will perform the necessary magic to change the files from one format to another, requiring minimum input from the user. It works and performs well. This program is definitely worth the shareware fee.