XDVD 720 or S/VCD for Space Savings.

[zepolli1]

I am experimenting with re-encoding 720x480, 29fps, 6Mb/sec from plextor captures. I took an hour and half movie and compressed it a few different ways using tmpg express.

1) svcd , about 1.4gb (480x480)
2) vcd , about 1.1gb (320x240)
3) xdvd , about 1.5gb (720x480)

This is the first time trying to use "XDVD" I was shocked that I was able to make a 740 x480 that was this small in file size. I also think it looks less blocky then the others, and looks better.

Does anyone have an opinion on why I would not use xdvd instead of the other types for re-encoding?

Yes it takes a long time, but don't care.

[reboot]

I use KDVD. Similar concept. Acceptable output (depending on source of course) and if your player will play it properly.

[bugster]

3) xdvd , about 1.5gb (720x480)

.

What is 'X' about the DVD. The resolution is compliant, waht did you change to make it non-compliant?

[zepolli1]

Well it is a term coined by Tmpenc I think. If you use their "Express" package it will allow for XDVD output..

I think it is basically Mpeg 2 with a lower bit rate. I think it read something like 1600 vbr.

I have heard other people say this is the same as KDVD.

The output looks better on higher resolutions than 320x240 as far as I can tell...anyone else have an opinion?

[wulf109]

The average bit rate determines file size. whether it's VCD,SVD,or DVD if the bitrate is the same,the file size will be the same. Resolution does not effect file size. A 352x240 will be the same file size as a 720x480 file if the bitrate is the same. The easiest way to make an xDVD or XSCVD is with a progrma like DVD2ONE.

[zepolli1]

Well, that's why I said they lower the bitrate from what used to be 6000 bits/s down to about 1600bits/sec .

The question is, you must be loosing something. I guess probably color depth, transition smoothness..etc.

anybody have a link to xdvd info?

[bugster]

Well, that's why I said they lower the bitrate from what used to be 6000 bits/s down to about 1600bits/sec .

You can go down to 100kbits/sec at 720 * 480 and it could still be DVD compliant. Low bitrate does not make it 'X' DVD. Something else has to be changed to make it a non standard DVD. Maybe the GOP structure used is longer than normal? That might help to maintain quality at lower bitrates in some cases.

[lordsmurf]

Well it is a term coined by Tmpenc I think. If you use their "Express" package it will allow for XDVD output..

I think it is basically Mpeg 2 with a lower bit rate. I think it read something like 1600 vbr.

I have heard other people say this is the same as KDVD.

The output looks better on higher resolutions than 320x240 as far as I can tell...anyone else have an opinion?

No.
Nothing "x" about it.
And "kdvd" uses whacked out matrices, resolutions, and other non-compliance issues (though this continually changes and varies ... at any rate, not suggested).

[zepolli1]

I posted this in a new topic to try to get more info..but from tempenc:

4. XDVD
Introduction of the XDVD (eXtended DVD) format.
A new format called XDVD has been developed based on DVD-Video standard, to allow longer hours. Though the length of GOP(Group of Pictures) is limited to 18 frames in the DVD-Video standard, concerning the XDVD format, one GOP can contain up to 60 frames! High-quality and high-compression can be realized in the same time. For instance, it is possible with that format to put 10 hours of video in a 4.7 GB DVD !!!

[reboot]

Yeah, I know kdvd is totally out of spec, but they play in all my stuff
FWIW, I can get 16 hours, 1/4D1, on 1 dvdr. Great for cartoons

[lordsmurf]

FWIW, I can get 16 hours, 1/4D1, on 1 dvdr. Great for cartoons

You consider 352x240/288 DEINTERLACE good for cartoons? Ugghh.
Interlace is EVEN MORE important for animation.