Handbrake vs Avidemux vs Sony Vegas

Hi all new to the forum.

I am learning to make gaming videos and I want the best possible quality. I have messaged a few youtube superstars for help but I guess they don't have time for me.

Which program out of these 3 would you say is the best? I take take raw game footage, recorded with fraps and then make my movie and render it.

I have only used handbrake once. Not actually for making a movie but taking audio from a DVD. It worked well.

I have been playing with avidemux and I like how simple it is, but there isn't much editing.

I have an older version of Vegas. I would not pay for a new version, I think my current one does the job. I don't know if it can render the best settings though? I am not a Vegas editing pro.

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Here is what I have learned in the past few days.

- x264 should be used for the best quality now. Replacing DivX and Xvid
- mkv should always be used as container. (no use for me though because I don't need subtitles for a gaming video)
- always do a 2 pass when rendering to make sure no artifacts or compression problems.

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So which program out of the 3 is the best?

Here to learn thank you all.