user encoding

There are two parts to this equation... the transcoding utility itself, and the method by which you will invoke the utility. From the apps I've worked with, it seems that your options are to use a program with a command line interface and access it with an application server (suc has PHP or ASP)... or you can use a program with "watch folder" functionality.

As for the software, here are a few options:

FFMPEG (as mentioned by the previous poster) is open source and free. I've found FFMPEG works most of the time, but somtimes it just fails, without any indication as to why. If your project doesn't involve a lot of ther people's money (or of you have limited buget for software), FFMPEG is a good choice. FFMPEG is only available from the command line, and has no watch folder functionality

On2's Flix Engine (on2.com) . When last I checked, it was selling for around $2500. I've used Flix Engine in the past, and I've had no problems. AFAIK, Flix Engine is also only available from the command line (no watch folder)

Autodesk Cleaner (autodesk.com). I've never used it myself, but I've been told it works very well. Cleaner has both command line interface and watch folder functionality.

Soreson Squeeze (sorensonmedia.com). Squeeze does not have a command line interface... only a watch folder.

As to whether you'll need a programmer, I suppose that depends on your skillset. Regardless of what application you use for your transcoding, you'll need someone to program your application server to handle the upload. If you are using a command line program for the transcoding, you'll need someone to program your application server to make use of it.

In the end, there will be some level of programming involved. AFAIK there is no out-of-the-box solution that will allow you to just install and go.

You can use FFMPEG ( http://ffmpeg.mplayerhq.hu/). It's an Open Source command line tool for converting between various formats.

/Johan