Hi Randy

After importing a video, how can I check video specs such as codecs, frame rate, bit rate, etc.?  I can't find any feature that shows that.  So I have to resort to other freeware to get that info, which is ridiculous. 

You are right, that is ridiculous.......

A quick read of the manual would soon have shown you where to find that.

Virtually first up in the section marked "Objects" is the following:-

"Tip: You will find many functions in the object context menus, which you can open
with a right click on the corresponding object. There, you will also find the "Object
properties" dialog, where in addition to current settings you can also change
interlace settings for the object. In the "Context menu" chapter of the PDF manual or
in Help (F1 key) you will also find detailed information.

Rt. clicking on the picture and audio track will give you nearly all the information you require and then some, like metadata of camera settings, if your camera makes it available. Rt. clicking the object in the Media Pool will bring up the standard Windows Properties box which will give you Bit rate info on the "Details" tab.

Is there a way to set MEP to use original specs when exporting a video, e.g. export using original codec, FPS, etc. without having to first figure out the specs and then manually set the export settings to match?

This would be a good feature for all formats but is available for MPEG2 encoding with the Mainconcept codec only. On the "Advanced MPEG encoder settings" there is a button at bottom right "From File" which will allow you to browse to a file from the source you would like to match and automatically apply those specs.

Most of the templates offered in the Export dialogs give good results if you choose one that roughly matchs the format, frame rate, bit rate of your original file.

Do all edits require re-encoding the video when exporting?  E.g. if I just want to cut and save a portion of a video file, is there a way to do that without encoding it again?  If a freeware like Avidemux can do all these things, why can't MEP?

Again it can......this is called "Smart rendering or Smart Copy" selectable in the advanced encoder settings for at least the MPEG2 & 4 codecs. Cut and save is best dealt with by Smart copy but the cut will occur at the GOP I-frame which could mean a few frames either side of where you place your cut. If this is not acceptable the n use smart render. In eithercase no changes can be applied to the exported material, only cuts.

It is best not to sound off before familiarising yourself with the features available via the documentation or Program "Help" menu.

Ss