Compare DVD to VCD encode using DVDx and TMPGEnc?

[Weevis]

I am a newbie who just started backing up my DVDs onto VCDs, any pointers would be appreciated.
I have tried two methods:
1. a) Use smartripper to copy the DVD movie onto HDD. b) encode to mpg1 using DVDx. C) author and burn VCD using Nero-express.
2. same as above expect – I use DVD2AVI to frameserve the DVD rip, and encode using TMPGEnc with VCD template.

The major difference I have noticed that with the same 50min movie, DVDx encodes in about 2:10hrs, but the TMPGEnc takes 3:30hr to do the same job. (P3-650, 128ram) What the hell is taking so long? What’s the public opinion on the quality and time for the two ripping/encoding methods?
Also as a side note – Has anyone experienced problems authoring and burning VCD using Neroexpress? My copies play well on the standalone DVD player, but not on my PC – not with PowerDVD or windowsmedia.

[willy_annand]

The major difference I have noticed that with the same 50min movie, DVDx encodes in about 2:10hrs, but the TMPGEnc takes 3:30hr to do the same job. (P3-650, 128ram) What the hell is taking so long? What’s the public opinion on the quality and time for the two ripping/encoding methods?

I have not compared in quite awhile, but last time I did, TMPGEnc gave superior quality. I will sacrifice a little time for better quality. If you are going to VCD, have you tried the KVCD templates for TMPGEnc?

Also, I had problems with PowerDVD3, but since I switched to PowerDVD4, things work out better.

I use Nero for burning, not Nero Express.. never tried Nero Express because I never had a problem with Nero. I author in DVD-Lab now and burn with Nero.

Hope this helps

[Double]

Have you tried Easy VCD ? (look in the tools section). it does the same steps as your #2 option : Frameserve with DVD2AVI and encode with TMPEnc, but it does everything from rip to encode all in one. You lose some control over filters, but a nice timesaver and decent quality.

-D