> This assumes that you can evenly distribute your transcoding load over the course of a month. No it does not. A low priced quad core is already in excess of

> This assumes that you can evenly distribute your transcoding load over the course of a month. No it does not. A low priced quad core is already in excess of their highest listed service, for less money. Put a dual hex xeon into service and you have at least 10x the capacity (remember that even HD transcodes at faster than real time), and it pays off in less than a year.