Best to convert to DVD?

[monteie]

I am in the process of converting a video but the end result is distorted somewhat. I was wondering what methods I could use to smooth it out. Maybe there is just something that I am missing when doing the conversino. As well the audio doesn't really sound the greatest but I thought that might have to do with it being mono in the first place. I am using Procoder 2.0 for this conversion. The first window is the source and the second in the target file that I am creating. The third image is an idea I had. I was thinking that if I didn't stretch the video so much I would be rid of the distortion but I am not sure how the TV would handle it.
Any thoughts?..... As well just to mention that in the last pic I would change the Max and avg bitrates.

[BJ_M]

i didnt look to close at what you have - but resize the source outside procoder and frame serve to procoder - use avisynth for this ... adjust the frame rate to 23.976 at at the same time ..


your script would look something like this (adjust as necessary);

AviSource("your source file location", false)
ConvertToYUY2()
AssumeFPS(23.976,False)
Lanczos4Resize(696,460,0.0,0.6)
AddBorders(12,10,12,10)

in procoder - select iso mpeg2 encoding (not dvd)

set frame rate to "23.976 + pulldown to 29.98"

bottom field first

NTSC standard 720x480

4:3

mastering 1 pass vbr

max bit rate 8800

average bit rate 7500

min 1500


you would also want to add a ~.02 Gas. blur and/or a deblocking filter to the mix most likely....

you could also use optionally a 1/2 d1 resolution



your second option is svcd - you want to make a svcd or a dvd ?

[monteie]

Thanks for all the information but I have a couple of questions

1) What would you suggest I use to resize outside procoder? Does procoder do a poor job of resizing?
2) What benefit does frame serving through Avisynth give me?
3) What is the benefit of creating an ISO rather than going straight to DVD and authoring it?
4) I was always wondering when converting PAL to NTSC if it was better to go to 23.976 or 29 fps? Are you telling me to go to 23.976 because it will improve the output? If so why?
5) Why would I do a Single Pass vbr? Wouldn't doing 2 give me better results?
6) I'm not really following this

you could also use optionally a 1/2 d1 resolution.

Could you explain this breifly.

I am trying to create a DVD no SVCD. I ued the SVCD template cause it offered lower video frame size which I though would help with the distortion.

Thanks for the great post!

[BJ_M]

1. yes - procoder is not that great at resizing
2. speed and quality
3. procoder has a bug doing pulldown IF you use the dvd profile. (it might crash)
4. source was progressive is why.
5. not really - not in mastering mode at such a high bit rate you picked ..
6. just skip it then - or look it up in the guides on the left ..

[monteie]

I got an error from the following line of code which gave me a function not found.

Lanczos4Resize(696,460,0.0,0.6)

Any ideas?

[monteie]

Accidentally DL'd v. 2.08. Have a newer version and it works.

[monteie]

Looking and reading about all the filters you can use...... This tool is quite amazing. I still have some questions though

ConvertToYUY2(): Read the tutorial on color space but still foggy. Why did you choose this filter?

Lanczos4Resize(696,460,0.0,0.6) : How did you come up with the numbers for resize? I was expecting 720x480.

AddBorders(12,10,12,10) Again... How did you determine this to be the border size?


Thanks

[BJ_M]

ConvertToYUY2 = input to procoder without color space conversion

rgb will also work as input to procoder but will go through a color space conversion ..

the resize and and add borders will keep your aspect ratio correct (double check - i didnt do the math except in my head)

[BJ_M]

you can play the file in either procoder or media player classic

MPC will show the correct aspect ratio - procoder its always a little hard to tell as background is black

[monteie]

I'd like to calculate those numbers but I'm not really sure how to. The tutorial doesn't go into that depth. Could you tell me?