I'd really like to embrace h.264 for my Web deployment in the near future; it seems like an excellent codec.

The problem is, I'm having a heck of a time digging up any encoders for h.264 that don't cost an arm and a leg. In a perfect world, I'd go with MainConcept's, but that bad boy costs $500...

Sorenson has an H.264 MPEG-4 codec for $200: http://www.sorenson.com/solutions/prod/mpg4_win.php

The Nero CD/DVD burning suite comes with an H.264 codec ($80): www.nero.com

There are trials of both products available.

Of course, it will be a little while until a good number of people have the capability to play H.264 MPEG-4 video. At this point the QuickTime 7 player hasn't been released for Windows yet.