Sorenson Squeeze 11.1

[Genome58]

I'm still using Sorenson Squeeze 11.1, but to do so, I've refrained from updating one of my Mac's OS from El Capitan 10.11.6. Does anyone have hands-on (not theoretical) experience with Squeeze functionality on more recent Mac OS? Specifically, what is the latest OS version which will maintain functionality of my standalone Squeeze app?

 

[bogdanw]

Specifically, what is the latest OS version which will maintain functionality of my standalone Squeeze app?

It’s a 32-bit app, so the last macOS that can run it is Mojave (10.14).
It will not run on Catalina (10.15) or newer versions of macOS. https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT208436

 

[Genome58]

Ouch! Thanks very much for that info. Good thing I have a number of Macs. As long as Squeeze continues to meet my needs, I'll dedicate one machine to this app and maintain the current OS.

 

[FCX]

Ouch! Thanks very much for that info. Good thing I have a number of Macs. As long as Squeeze continues to meet my needs, I'll dedicate one machine to this app and maintain the current OS.

What is it about Squeeze that you can't find in a modern app?
I used it for many many years, but found better and much faster alternatives.

 

[Genome58]

First and foremost, Squeeze is already paid for. Secondly, it meets my needs, particularly when I record directly to my Atomos Ninja Star, which yields ProRes 422 files. I have my settings pre-selected, so just push the "Squeeze" button and walk away. So buying a new app is neither a budgetary priority nor a software 'itch' that I must scratch, at present. However, I'm likely to require a better and faster alternative sometime in the future. What are you currently using? When support for Squeeze was discontinued in 2018, the alternatives were expensive and had a learning curve.

 

[FCX]

Highly pragmatic approach you've got there... ;^)

I've been using a combination of Compressor (dozens of custom presets) for maybe 60%, and the other 40% and oddball stuff is done with ffmpeg, using FF•Works for the GUI.

I'd only use Squeeze when I needed webm, wmv, mpeg1, or some other thing that Compressor couldn't do easily. Mostly because Squeeze was stupid-slow on my cheesegrater MacPro, and Compressor does a nice job with MP4, MPEG2, HEVC, etc. Plus, I can set up Sharing outputs in FCPX using my custom presets. Real time saver in my case.

FF•Works was inexpensive, ffmpeg is free, and it covers all kinds of things I never knew I needed. There's a bit of a learning curve, but it is worth the effort.

 

[bogdanw]

ffmpeg is free, and it covers all kinds of things I never knew I needed.

And easy to integrate into an AppleScript or Quick Action. An example https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/automator-applescript-help.2295459/post-29871275
Not to mention hardware-accelerated video encoding (h264_videotoolbox & hevc_videotoolbox)
https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/hevc-main10-hardware-encoding.2219528/

 

[orionquest]

Couldn't you do this with Handbrake?
BTW which is free.

 

[Genome58]

Highly pragmatic approach you've got there... ;^)

I've been using a combination of Compressor (dozens of custom presets) for maybe 60%, and the other 40% and oddball stuff is done with ffmpeg, using FF•Works for the GUI.

I'd only use Squeeze when I needed webm, wmv, mpeg1, or some other thing that Compressor couldn't do easily. Mostly because Squeeze was stupid-slow on my cheesegrater MacPro, and Compressor does a nice job with MP4, MPEG2, HEVC, etc. Plus, I can set up Sharing outputs in FCPX using my custom presets. Real time saver in my case.

FF•Works was inexpensive, ffmpeg is free, and it covers all kinds of things I never knew I needed. There's a bit of a learning curve, but it is worth the effort.

Thank you. I appreciate the advice

 

[Genome58]

Couldn't you do this with Handbrake?
BTW which is free.

I played with it before biting the bullet and purchasing Squeeze. The settings drove me crazy.

 

[chrfr]

I played with it before biting the bullet and purchasing Squeeze. The settings drove me crazy.

You can make presets, and Handbrake has the advantage of not being an obsolete unsupported product that requires you to maintain old hardware and outdated operating systems.

 

[orionquest]

I played with it before biting the bullet and purchasing Squeeze. The settings drove me crazy.

like @chrfr says you can make presets.

I don't find it that different then any other compression/video encoding tool
Plus from the sounds of it you are doing the same thing repeatedly and it will be less then an hours work or fiddling to set and forget.

The past 2 releases they have improved the interface, in case it's been awhile since you looked at it.

 

[ColdCase]

In the end, all these tools/apps are the GUI over ffmpeg. Handbrake is very good, has been my go to for years except for a couple things compressor does better. Most of their presets are a very good compromise. Bulk batch files are routine for me, open handbrake, open the folder containing all your video files, add all files to queue, go get a cup of coffee.

 

[Genome58]

like @chrfr says you can make presets.

I don't find it that different then any other compression/video encoding tool
Plus from the sounds of it you are doing the same thing repeatedly and it will be less then an hours work or fiddling to set and forget.

The past 2 releases they have improved the interface, in case it's been awhile since you looked at it.

Thanks for that. I'll definitely take new look at Handbrake.

 

[Genome58]

In the end, all these tools/apps are the GUI over ffmpeg. Handbrake is very good, has been my go to for years except for a couple things compressor does better. Most of their presets are a very good compromise. Bulk batch files are routine for me, open handbrake, open the folder containing all your video files, add all files to queue, go get a cup of coffee.

That's a very valid point. Given all of forum members' suggestions, I must also consider the appropriate OS upgrade. I think it might be prudent to first install Mojave, play with Handbrake while concurrently confirming that my other apps and printer/scanner driver all work before moving to a dedicated 64 bit OS. Do you agree?

 

[bogdanw]

before moving to a dedicated 64 bit OS

You can check for 32-bit apps on your system from System Information or with 32-bitCheck
https://www.macrumors.com/how-to/identify-32-bit-apps-mac/
https://eclecticlight.co/32-bitcheck-archichect/