MPEG video encoding is a powerful and complicated technique. The price of current real-time encoders puts them well out of reach for most people. The goal of this project was to exploit the highly parallel nature of the MPEG algorithm providing a cost effective encoding method. This was achieved using inexpensive, widely available hardware. By using a network of PC's running the Linux operating system, the software was able to distribute the workload of the computationally intensive encoding process. By doing so, this project has resulted in a product with real value to people who would otherwise have no access to this technology. Unfortunately, the ultimate goal of real-time compression was not achieved. However, it was determined by the team upon completion of the project that by utilizing faster hardware, real-time compression would be possible.