Getting Started
At the very least, encoding for RealPlayer G2 requires RealProducer G2, a free download from the RealNetworks site. Real does offer a $150 RealProducer Plus G2. For streaming server users, the extra encoding features are well worth the investment. Indeed, if you buy a Real server, RealProducer Plus G2 is typically included in the package.

There are may third party solutions that also encode Real G2 content. From the Adobe Premiere plug-in to Sonic Foundry's Sound Forge to Terran's Media Cleaner to shareware utilities, a number of products export directly to RealMedia. But for now, I will stick with RealProducer Plus G2.

Assuming that you have some kind of audio/video digitizing board in your computer, RealProducer is ready to go to work. Digitization from your input device is supported right within the RealProducer software. As for me, I already have a short clip saved as a QuickTime file (AVI is also available). From here, I'm ready to encode for G2 with RealProducer.

Off to Use the Wizard
By default, RealProducer guides you through the basic encoding process with a software wizard. Give RealProducer and input filename, choose a streaming format (SureStream or HTTP based), provide a data rate (28.8 to LAN), tell it what the audio is (music versus voice), and tell it what to do with the video (a range from high motion to a slideshow). Then click the Start button and the file encodes at what it thinks are the best settings. Could it be that easy? Yes with the wizards, you have clip ready for streaming as quickly as your computer can crunch the data. But if you want to really get into the software and tweak the settings, you probably want to leave the encoding wizard behind.