Parallel Media Encoder Parallel Media Encoder
New The first media encoder MCP built for professional post-production

Encode faster. In parallel.

Put your Mac to full use, leverage every media engine to get time back in your workflow.

Download Free Buy Now for $39

Free tier includes batch queue and 2 simultaneous encodes. No credit card required. Free for personal, educational, and evaluation use. Unlock full parallel for $39.

Why Parallel Encoding?
New · Built-in MCP server

The first media encoder MCP built for professional post-production.

Connect Claude or Codex and describe the transcoding rules for an entire project in plain English. The assistant probes every clip, proposes the settings for each one, and sends the approved jobs to PME’s parallel queue.

  • By resolution “UHD to ProRes 422 HQ, HD to 422 LT.”
  • By file name “Anything with INT gets timecode burn-in.”
  • By audio channels “Keep all 8 channels on interviews, stereo for the rest.”
See what it can do Setup guide

Free with the app. Encodes run locally, and PME never uploads your media files or audio.

AI assistant · connected to pme MCP
Transcode the whole Harbor shoot on /Volumes/RAID/Harbor. UHD clips to ProRes 422 HQ, HD to 422 LT. Anything with INT in the name is an interview: keep every audio channel and burn in timecode. Everything else gets stereo. Keep source timecode on all of it.
pme_probe_media 148 files 148/148

Found 148 clips from 3 cameras. Here's the plan:

62 3840×2160 · A-cam MXF ProRes 422 HQ · stereo
41 1920×1080 · B-cam MP4 ProRes 422 LT · stereo
18 name contains INT · 8 ch PCM ProRes 422 HQ · all 8 ch · TC burn-in
27 1920×1080 · drone HEVC ProRes 422 LT · stereo
pme_transcode ×4 batches · 148 jobs queued
pme_wait_for_jobs · encoding in parallel 148/148

✓ All 148 done in /Volumes/RAID/Harbor/Transcodes. Heads-up: 2 B-cam clips are 29.97 fps in a 23.976 project. I left them as shot. Want me to make 23.976 versions?

What users say

Parallel Media Encoder feels like the first transcoding software that was actually built by someone who uses transcoding software. Oh, and it's fast. Really fast.

Brian Chahley, CEO of Streamwell

Brian Chahley

CEO, Streamwell

Ready to save time?

Buy Now for $39

Built for professionals

Everything you need for high-volume transcoding, designed for Apple Silicon from the ground up.

Parallel Encoding

Encode 2–10 files simultaneously and finish 39% faster in benchmarks. Hardware-aware scheduling adapts to your Apple Silicon chip, from MacBook Neo to M5 Ultra.

Professional Codecs

H.264, H.265, and the full ProRes family are included free. Pro adds DNxHR/DNxHD and camera RAW support for BRAW, R3D, ProRes RAW, ARRIRAW/ARRI HDE via the official ARRI Image SDK, and Canon Cinema RAW Light (.CRM).

Color Science

HDR pass-through and tone mapping included. 3D LUT application and RAW exposure control with Pro.

Why parallel encoding is faster

Your Apple Silicon Mac has dedicated hardware media engines built for video encoding. Traditional transcoders only use one at a time while the rest sit idle. Parallel Media Encoder keeps them all busy.

Traditional (Sequential)

Slow
File 1
File 2
File 3
File 4
File 5
File 6
File 7
File 8

Each file waits its turn. 197 seconds.

Parallel Media Encoder

39% faster
File 1
File 2
File 3
File 4
File 5
File 6
File 7
File 8

All 8 files encode at once. 119 seconds.

Benchmark Apple M4 Max · 8 × 60s 4K MXF → H.265
39 %
Faster
78s saved per batch
Sequential
197s
Parallel
119s
Scale up
100 clips sequential → ~41 min
100 clips parallel → ~25 min (~16 min saved)
See full benchmark details →

Complete control over every encode

  • Quality modes: Automatic, Manual Bitrate, or VBR Two-Pass encoding
  • Resolution & rotation: keep source resolution or scale to custom dimensions, with 90/180/270° rotation
  • Frame rate conversion: match source or set a custom frame rate
  • HDR pass-through: preserve HDR metadata or tone map to SDR
  • Audio options: pass-through, or re-encode to AAC, ALAC, or PCM
Output and encoding settings for a Blackmagic RAW clip: H.265 hardware encode, bitrate, profile, estimated output size, resolution, and frame rate

See how we compare

Parallel Media Encoder delivers features that other transcoders don't.

Feature Parallel Media Encoder HandBrake EditReady
Parallel Encoding 2–10 simultaneous No Yes
Hardware Acceleration Apple Silicon media engines Limited (VideoToolbox) Limited
ProRes Output Full familyProxy to 4444 XQ with alpha passthrough No Yes
DNxHR / DNxHD Output Yes (Pro) No Yes
RAW Input (BRAW, R3D, ProRes RAW, ARRI, Canon CRM) Yes (Pro) No Yes ($149 Pro)
Standard 8-bit H.264 / H.265 Output Yes Yes Yes
H.265 Output Control (8/10-bit, 4:2:0/4:2:2) Yes, you choose No Pass-through only
3D LUT Support Yes (Pro) No Yes
Custom Presets Yes (Pro) Yes No
Video Rotation Yes No No
Timecode Overlay Yes (Pro) No Yes
Metadata Preview Yes No No
Metadata Pass-through Yes No No
MCP Server for AI (Claude, Codex, Gemini) Yes, built inYour AI probes clips and fills the queue No No
Watch Folders Yes (Pro) No Yes ($149 Pro)
Insta360 Metadata Pass-through Yes No No
HDR Support Pass-through + tone mapping Limited Limited
Price Free / $39 Pro Buy Now for $39 Free $49 / $149 Pro

Optimized for your chip

Parallel Media Encoder detects your Apple Silicon chip tier and automatically configures the optimal number of simultaneous encodes. No manual tuning is required.

Learn more about parallel encoding
MacBook Neo / M1–M6 Base
Up to 2 simultaneous encodes
M1–M5 Pro
Up to 4 simultaneous encodes
M1–M5 Max
Up to 8 simultaneous encodes
M1–M5 Ultra
Up to 10 simultaneous encodes

Every codec you need

From camera RAW to delivery formats | Parallel Media Encoder handles your entire post-production pipeline.

Input Formats

ProRes H.264 (GoPro, DJI, Canon, iPhone) H.265 / HEVC (GoPro, DJI, Canon, iPhone) MXF (Sony FX3/FX6/FX9, Panasonic P2) Insta360 (.insv / .lrv) Blackmagic RAW Pro RED R3D RAW Pro ProRes RAW Pro ARRIRAW (ALEXA 35, Mini LF) Pro ARRI HDE Pro ARRICORE Pro Canon Cinema RAW Light (.CRM) Pro

Output Codecs

H.264 H.265 / HEVC HEVC Main10 4:2:2 Pro ProRes 422 Proxy ProRes 422 LT ProRes 422 ProRes 422 HQ ProRes 4444 ProRes 4444 XQ DNxHR LB Pro DNxHR SQ Pro DNxHR HQ Pro DNxHR HQX Pro DNxHR 444 Pro DNxHD LB Pro DNxHD SQ Pro DNxHD HQ Pro DNxHD HQX Pro DNxHD 444 Pro

Frequently asked questions

Is Parallel Media Encoder free?
Yes. The free version includes H.264, HEVC, and ProRes encoding with full settings control. You can queue up to 8 files and encode 2 simultaneously. Upgrade to Pro ($39, one-time) to unlock full chip-tier parallel encoding, DNx output, camera RAW encoding, 3D LUTs, custom presets, and more. The free version is for personal, educational, and evaluation use; paid work needs Pro.
Can I use the free version for client work?
You can evaluate it on client material to see if it fits your workflow. Once it's part of how you deliver paid work, you need a Pro license for each Mac it runs on. That applies to freelancers as well as companies. Pro is $39 one-time.
I'm an employee. My company hasn't bought it. Can I use Free at work?
No. Use inside a business is commercial use regardless of who is paying. Point whoever buys software at the Studios and teams section of the License Terms; it is a one-time purchase per Mac with no subscription.
Is Pro per person or per Mac?
Per Mac. A shared suite needs one license however many editors use it. One editor with two Macs needs two. A standard key activates one Mac; a volume license can cover several Macs with one key. To move a license, choose Deactivate This Mac in Settings → License on the old Mac, which frees its seat, then activate it on the new one. If the old Mac is unavailable, activate on the new Mac anyway: when every seat is in use, Settings → License lists the Macs holding them, each with Replace. You can also contact us and we can release the old Mac's seat.
We're a studio with ten suites. How do we buy?
Use the contact form and choose Volume Licensing. You get one invoice with your PO number, a license certificate, and a volume license key that covers every Mac on the order (or one key per Mac, if you prefer). Volume pricing starts at ten Macs.
We're a film school. Is it free for our lab?
Yes. Choose Education License on the contact form, tell us the institution and how many Macs, and we send education keys that unlock Pro features for institution-owned teaching Macs.
What Apple Silicon chips are supported?
Parallel Media Encoder runs on all Apple Silicon Macs, from MacBook Neo (A18 Pro) through M1–M6 Base and M1–M5 Pro, Max, and Ultra chips. The app detects your chip and automatically sets the optimal number of simultaneous encodes.
How many files can I encode at once?
With Pro, you can encode 2–10 files simultaneously depending on your chip: MacBook Neo and M1–M6 Base support 2, M1–M5 Pro supports 4, M1–M5 Max supports 8, and M1–M5 Ultra supports 10. In real benchmarks on an M4 Max, parallel encoding was 39% faster than sequential.
What codecs does Parallel Media Encoder support?
Output: H.264 (all profiles), H.265/HEVC, the full ProRes family (Proxy through 4444 XQ), and DNxHR/DNxHD (Pro). Input: ProRes, H.264, H.265, MXF containers (Sony FX3/FX6/FX9, Panasonic P2), Insta360 (.insv/.lrv), plus camera RAW formats including Blackmagic RAW, RED R3D, ProRes RAW, ARRIRAW/ARRI HDE/ARRICORE, and Canon Cinema RAW Light (.CRM) (Pro).
What's the difference between Free and Pro?
Free includes H.264, HEVC, ProRes output, built-in presets, video preview, batch queue (up to 8 files), and 2 simultaneous encodes. Pro ($39, one-time purchase) unlocks full chip-tier parallel encoding (up to 10 simultaneous), DNx output, HEVC Main10 4:2:2, ProRes alpha pass-through, camera RAW encoding, 3D LUT support, timecode/text overlays, custom presets, watch folders, and RAW exposure control.
Does Parallel Media Encoder support watch folders?
Yes. With Pro, you can set up watch folders that automatically transcode new files as they arrive. Assign a preset, set a polling interval (1–60 minutes), and the app handles the rest. Watch folders work with local drives and network shares, making them ideal for shared post-production storage where multiple editors are dropping files.

Start free, upgrade when you're ready

Free for personal, educational, and evaluation use. Pro for paid work, with full parallel encoding, RAW, DNx, and more.

Free

$0

For personal, educational, and evaluation use

  • H.264 / HEVC / ProRes output
  • Batch queue (up to 8 files)
  • 2 simultaneous encodes
  • Built-in presets
  • Video preview & drag-and-drop
  • Auto-updates
  • No DNx, RAW encode, LUTs, or overlays
Download Free
Early Adopter Price

Pro

$39 $79

Per Mac · Commercial use · One-time

  • Everything in Free, plus:
  • Parallel encoding (2–10 simultaneous)
  • DNxHR & DNxHD output (all variants)
  • RAW encode (BRAW, R3D, ProRes RAW, ARRI, Canon CRM)
  • HEVC Main10 4:2:2 & ProRes alpha
  • 3D LUT & overlay burn-in
  • Custom presets (save/edit/export/import)
  • Watch folders (auto-transcode new files)
  • RAW exposure control
Buy Now for $39

One-time purchase. No subscription.

Already have a key? Add seats to it

Requires internet access for activation and periodic license validation. Pro features may be restricted after 30 days without a successful check.

License Terms · Refund Policy · Privacy Policy

Studios, teams, and schools. One license per Mac; a volume license covers several Macs with one key. Five or more on one invoice, volume pricing from ten. Schools license free. Licensing for teams →

Full feature comparison

Feature Free Pro
Permitted use Personal, educational, evaluation Any, including commercial
Batch transcode queue 8 queued, 2 concurrent Full chip-tier concurrency
H.264 (all profiles)
HEVC Main / Main10
HEVC Main10 4:2:2
ProRes (Proxy–4444 XQ)
ProRes alpha pass-through
DNx (all variants)
RAW codecs (BRAW, R3D, ProRes RAW, ARRI, Canon CRM) Import & preview only
LUT support
Timecode/text overlay burn-in
Custom presets
Watch folders
Built-in presets
RAW exposure control
Auto-updates

Ready to encode faster?

Download Parallel Media Encoder for free and upgrade when you need parallel power.

Download Free

Requires macOS 14.5 or later. Apple Silicon required.

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