Actually, NTSC is closer to 320 X 240 in resolution. Try a test render that way (it takes 1/4 the time). The general rule is that the better codecs (compression - decompression algorithims) are assymmetrical: they take longer to compress than decompress. Your video system should have a number of algorithms built in. I tend to use Quicktime, which has lots of them. You just have to take a short clip (about 10 seconds works pretty well), and try a number of them to see what works best for your type of project. - JimX