actionscript 3 - Fast or asynchronous AS3 JPEG encoding

Question

I'm currently using the JPGEncoder from the AS3 core lib to encode a bitmap to JPEG

 var enc:JPGEncoder = new JPGEncoder(90);
 var jpg:ByteArray = enc.encode(bitmap);

Because the bitmap is rather large (3000 x 2000) the encoding takes a long while (about 20 seconds), causing the application to seemingly freeze while encoding. To solve this, I need either:

• An asynchronous encoder so I can keep updating the screen (with a progress bar or something) while encoding
• An alternative encoder which is simply faster

Is either possible, and how can I do it?

Answer 1

I found an asynchronous encoder: http://www.switchonthecode.com/tutorials/flex-tutorial-an-asynchronous-jpeg-encoder