Promo Disc - What is the best?AVI, MPEG, VCD or SVCD?

[boli]

Hey Gang,

I am new to this forum and have a few questions which I suspect get asked all the time but which I was unable to find the answers in the archives. So here goes.

I have a task to complete in the next few weeks. I have to produce a promo CD for our small business. This would hopefully include a menu with selectable links (photos for each link) that opened up various short video segments of 10 mins maximum each. Maximum 6 segments.

I am not sure which software or format to use. If you had to create a CD such as this which format (VCD, SVCD, AVI or MPEG-4?) would you be using in order to make things as easy as possible? I encoded some of the footage from the original Hi Res AVI to SVCD with TMPEGENC and it looked good but it only played back correctly using a dedicated DVD program (Power DVD). In Windows Media Player it looked taller than narrower than it should rather than the 4:3 that I was expecting but fine in Power DVD. I want most average users (the kind that are scared to even adjust their computer’s settings let alone download and install codecs other third party software) to be able to put the CD in and let it just play. The priority would be for it to playback on a computer rather than a stand alone DVD player.

Having said that are there any suggestions? SVCD, VCD, AVI, MPEG? What software should be used to create it? Are there any articles on this subject? Or is this the Holy Grail of authoring and only attainable by those with access to high-end machines and software? Is there a free player package out there that can be set up to self-initialise on inserting the CD?

Hope someone can help me to move forward with this.

Ciao
Boli

Apologies if these questions are naive but like most people these days I don’t have a lot of time to research this.

[gmatov]

I think, if these promos are going to any size corps, you would have to make them playable on either WMP, or Quicktime, or whatever is normally installed on a desktop or workstation, as IT depts do not like, and usually do not permit users to install programs not sanctioned by the IT department.

I think that if a recipient had to call IT to have someone with an Admin PW come up to install, he might just pass on it.

As far as adding in a program, same deal, not authorized.

[AngusMacGyver]

In my opinion, if high quality isn't so important, you should use MPEG1 at 320x240. It won't be a VCD, because you will insert links, images, etc.
I choose MPEG1 because almost all PCs have a software to play it.

[Gazorgan]

MPEG1 is a default codec for 98 and above that has WMP (6.4 or better) installed. Everything else has to be installed. Your other option is a standalone player with built in codec support (they exist, but I can't give you one of the top of my head).

[LanEvo7]

VCD since most computers and standalone players can play it. The quality should be good enough unless you have a lot of fast motion video.

[boli]

Thanks for the replies.

It has raised a few more questions. I am very familiar with Dreamweaver and have made a number of very successfull websites for our business with it. Can I use this program and skills already acquired to make the navigation page for an MPEG-1 based Disc. I tried last night using basic hyperlinks to open up MPEG files but it reads the MPEG link incorrectly and just opens up default/index.htm.

I know the topic is starting to skue away from this forum now but any help would be appreciated.

Cheers
boli

PS- Thanks for the feedback thus far.

[rsuave5]

myself if i wanted to guaratee the most widespread compatability i would consider the following scenarios

an easy way to do it is to assemble the video ,slideshow, titles, etc. in windows movie maker. i would the save the promo as the highest resolution possible and burn it to a disk. that is great resolution and universal playback

with premiere you could export a hi res file to quicktime or real video. and include a link to the player.

for most impact a dvd could serve as a universal way people could view the material, most in the living room. the best resolution and sound and the menu options are limitless. this is also more expensive