I had forgotten about the Livid option. I remember trying to use it and having problems (possibly incompatible with source codec, not sussing out batch processing, or similar), but might have another look at it.
"Adobe, Grass Valley, Rozhet & Harmonic, Sorenson, Telestream... don't remember every app I've used over win to export dxv." I don't think I've heard any of those (except Adobe) mentioned before. Do any of them have batch processing?
Re "theft of technology" - that would be a valid reason. Is it the reason?
If the codec were open sourced, perhaps someone could have a poke at it and make a GPU enabled encoder or similar.
Re Adobe CC pricing, I was referring to Australian dollar pricing in the Australian market. The generic emails (almost identical from one year to the next) cites excuses such as exchange rates, but the price hikes were well in excess of exchange rate variations. The original price was cents under AUD 50 per month on the yearly plan.
2016
As an Adobe Creative Cloud subscriber, your price won’t be impacted during your current subscription term. However, at the time of your renewal, which is scheduled for 15 September 2016, it will increase to reflect the price adjustment for currency exchange rates. The new rate will be A$57.99 per month.
Starting December 1, 2016, Adobe will begin to charge 10% GST on all goods and services to our customers in Australia. Learn more. Your next bill, on or after this date, will reflect the new tax rate. Note that this change does not affect the base price of your Adobe products.
2017
The current price of Adobe Creative Cloud will change to A$72.59 per month incl. GST on 5 June 2017. During your current subscription term, the price for your subscription to Adobe Creative Cloud will remain the same. At renewal, your price will reflect the local currency price on your renewal date of 15 September 2017.