constant vs variable bit rate

[stephen2]

I capture with an ATI aiw radeon card. When I set a custom capture mode I can choose a constant bit rate or a variable bit rate. What is the difference, and which one should I choose???? Thanks.

[shochan]

a constant bitrate stays at the chosen setting, say 1050. a variable bitrate (depending if you can set an average) will only go abovethe average what it can below it. so if your average is 1050 and the lowest it goes is 900 than the higest it can go is 1200. this way when it doesnt need to use as much bitrate it doesnt have to, and by saving it it can use it in a more complex scene that needs it to look better.


Hope I didnt confuse you.

Shochan