With outstanding VC-1 output and surprisingly good H.264 output, Expression Encoder 3 is an impressive update to the encoding component of Microsoft's Expression Studio.

With outstanding VC-1 output and surprisingly good H.264 output, Expression Encoder 3 is an impressive update to the encoding component of Microsoft's Expression Studio.

Expression Encoder, which offers a free "Standard Version" and paid Pro versions, is ostensibly a tool made to make encoding to Microsoft's Silverlight format (which powers Netflix streaming) easier.

Expression Encoder offers improved codec performance at low bitrates, better screen capturing, and DRM protection of live streaming video. Version four also includes a new H.264 encoder.

Expression Studio is Microsoft’s designer tools suite, which consists of Microsoft Expression Web, Expression Blend, Expression Design, Expression Media and Expression Encoder.

Expression Blend 2 ($499 ERP), in addition to Silverlight support, adds vertex animation and an improved user interface with a new split design/XAML view.

Expression Encoder 2, now a core offering of the suite, is a program for encoding digital audio and video media.

Expression Web supports HTML/Ajax design, Expression Design and Expression Blend support XAML, Microsoft's declarative graphic language, while Expression Media and Encoder are targeted at creating ...