MPEG2 files on CD (or hard drive) - Requirments?

[DarthMarklar]

Hello,

I do a lot of MPEG1 compression for clients and have had no problems with complaints as far as compatibility, performance off CD, etc. But with the new Premiere, I was wondering what's involved with providing MPEG2 videos?

The reason being is most clients want full screen videos to play in presentations. I have the ability to export MPEG2 (Muxed?) files where the audio and video are in one file that plays in WMP, but what are the concerns about providing these files to clients?

The obvious requirement would be the ability to fit it on a CD, but baring that, what do you need on a computer to play it? I assume you need MPEG2 decoding software on your system? Is it safe to assume that anyone with a DVD player in their computer also has the ability to play MPEG2 videos? And what if they don't have a DVD player on their system, what would they need to play the MPEG2 clip?

Also, if I can keep the MPEG2 small enough to fit on a CD, I assume the CD won't be able to keep up with the demanding playback? It would probably need to be tranfered to someones hard drive before they play it?

Anything I need to know before I offer this kind of compression and run into issues?

Thanks,
-Mark

[Vejita-sama]

What's wrong with just using MPEG1? There is no real difference in quaility between MPEG1 and MPEG2 at the same bitrate and resoltuion. Filesize is dependant ONLY on runtime and bitrate, MPEG1 or MPEG2 doesn't matter.

MS OS ship with MPEG1 codec standard, for MPEG2 you need to install a codec. So I would stick with MPEG1 (explain again why MPEG1 is not good).

The real advantage of MPEG2 over MPEG1 isn't file size or quaility it's the features it supports: interlaced source, multiple audio streams, multiple angles, anamorphic video, selectable subtitles (or subscreens which allow), fully interactive menus, etc.

[DarthMarklar]

But I can't seem to get an MPEG1 file larger than 352x240. Is it possible to render a 640(or 720)x480 MPEG1 file?

Again, the need is for full screen video in CD presentations. What I usually do is compress the MPEG1 and then stretch it to fill the screen (in apps like PowerPoint). This is usually fine, but sometimes it's not acceptable.

I was assuming MPEG 2 would give me 720x480 sizes without the need for doubling the MPEG.

for MPEG2 you need to install a codec

That's what I thought. Obviously the people with DVD players will have the codec, but I'm sure it's safe to assume that the majority of people without DVD players won't have the MPEG 2 codec installed.

[bugster]

If you can't create mpeg-1 files in the required resolution, its your encoder thats at fault, not mpeg-1. Try encoding using TmpGenc, supports any resolution you care to come up with!

[Gazorgan]

Most clients won't have an MPEG2 codec installed, so the video won't play. 98/W2K/XP support MPEG1 natively (95 is dead).

[wadebbie]

I would stick with mpeg1. What am I saying...I do stick with mge1. I am a presenter and I would hate to have to wait those boot up seconds while mpeg2 gears up. mpeg1 can be very good if you tweak the settings inyour encoder. I use TMPGE and I get good results.