Elgato Turbo USB Accelerator Supercharges HD Video Conversion

Elgato released a USB accelerator dongle that promises to offload video conversion CPU load when converter to the very popular H.264 video format. This format is now widely used in iPod / iPhones, PMPs, cameras, camcorders, Apple TV and media centers. The Turbo.264 HD Encoder/Accelerator will take almost any format of video and using on-board hardware rapidly convert it to H.264. Their comparison is 60 minutes for a 15 minute file conversion reduced down to 20 minutes using the Turbo.264 HD. AVCHD Video, QuickTime, AVI, DV, WMV, MPEG-1, MPEG-2 Program/Transport Stream, MPEG-4, MP4, M4V, H.263, H.264 AVC, Xvid and VOB are natively supported as well as many more they didn't take the time to list.

There are 10 generic H.264 conversion profiles to start with. They range from YouTube to 1080p High definition as well as just about every flavor of iPod (at least the ones with video). Previous entrants into this market were able half as hearty as Elgato Turbo.264 HD. The software included with this dedicated encoder also has rudimentary video editing features for trimming or making adjustments to the video prior to conversion. And it will automatically detect many of the AVCHD enabled camcorders that are coming out now. Making it possibly a ZERO-step process to drag and convert camcorder video files for varied consumption. Available now at their online store for $149.95.