The BEST TMPGEnc (VCD) template for me

[KennyC]

Hi,

I've done many, many tests the last few days trying to get the best comprise with TMPGEnc v2.02 and it's damn obvious that the viewing quality is related to bitrate, the higher being better but the file size also at the same time increases, durrrrr.

I'm not using 100% standard VCD settings (almost), but Nero still accepts the .MPEG as a Standard Compliant VCD and it plays in all the DVD players I have tried the VCD in. The file size as a result of my settings increases by about 20% but the MACROBLOCKS in fast action scenes is greatly reduced and the resultant low action scenes are superb for a VCD, no macroblocks and virtually no blending. (With blending, I mean where virtually the same color is in the back/foregound and it blends into sightly darker/lighter shades, like say your Windows Desktop)

These are my settings now for PAL VCD's, NTSC only need a couple of changes:
Video
Stream - MPEG1
Frame Rate - 25 fps
Rate Control - CBR 1600 kbit/sec
VBV Buffer - 0 (Auto) or 40
Motion Search - Highest Quality (Very Slow)

GOP
1, 5, 2

Quantizer
Output YUV data - Yes
Use Floating Point DCT - Yes
Soften Block Noise - Yes, 35, 35

Audio
Stream Type - MPEG 1 - Audio Layer ll
Sampling Frequency - 44100
Channel Mode - Stereo
Bit Rate - 128 kbits/sec

System
Stream Type - MPEG-1 Video-CD

Now I know these settings aren't anything out of this world or special, but they really seem to work for me as I'm more concerned about video quality than audio.

(I've been able to create some .MPEGs of superb quality like most of you with other settings, but the file size is ridiculously LARGE)

[roach76]

Your settings are similar to mine, but I still use the standard 1150 kbit/sec. For VCD's res. of 352x288(PAL) I find anything over 1150 redundant

[Sarazdad7]

Can I ask what the settings would be for NTSC? Thanks

[KennyC]

<TABLE BORDER=0 ALIGN=CENTER WIDTH=85%><TR><TD><font size=-1>Quote:</font><HR size=1 color=black></TD></TR><TR><TD><FONT SIZE=-1><BLOCKQUOTE>
On 2001-12-25 08:45:40, Sarazdad7 wrote:
Can I ask what the settings would be for NTSC? Thanks</BLOCKQUOTE></FONT></TD></TR><TR><TD><HR size=1 color=black></TD></TR></TABLE>
Hi,

Change:
Video
Video Size = 352 x 240
Aspect Ratio = 4:3 525 line(NTSC)
Frame Rate = 29.97 fps

Advanced
Source Aspect Ratio = 4:3 525 line(NTSC) or 16:9 525 line(NTSC) to retain proper viewing characteristics

In my current testing with only VCD (PAL), the results are superb. I'd previously settled on 1550 bitrate but found by using 1600, the result of the extra 50 bitrate has visually improved the high action/motion during the 1st 5 minutes of The Mummy Returns.

Why do I use The Mummy Returns for all of my testing?

Well, in the first 5 minutes, there are high action/motion scenes consisting of fighting scenes with 1,000's of human figures with lots of flesh colors which is probably computer generated and not RUDE...hehehe...

These fight scenes really show the macroblocks if present. Also just after the fight scenes, there is some great scenes and colors that showup any color blending problems.

Once I have tidied up my templates, if you wish, I will post to see if anyone gets the same results.

My specs:
Epox EP-8k7a+ 512Mbs DDRam
AMD XP 1800+

LG 68cm TV (swivel-base, Golden-Eye) - I adore this TV, stunning
XMS-950 DVD (very sharp/crisp DVD - stunning results)

[Surferr]

How did you get the CBR setting to go above 1150 kbits/sec, because it seems to default to 1150, I refer to NTSC though. Please let me know, because I'm interested in testing out your template settings. Thanks in advance.

surferr

[Surferr]

Never mind..duhhhh. The template I loaded prevented me from changing that setting...

surferr

[Dhruv]

roach1976: Do your settings reduce macroblocks too? Or were you just saying that your settings are similair?

[vitualis]

To stop any beginners getting funny ideas, these settings are NOT VCD compliant. Why Nero can accept them as such is completely beyond me.

@KennyC: although you are improving the video with the increase in bitrate, you are hamstringing your audio with the bitrate of 128 kbit/s. This bitrate is too low for good fidelity with MP2 audio.

Regards.

[KennyC]

Hi,
<TABLE BORDER=0 ALIGN=CENTER WIDTH=85%><TR><TD><font size=-1>Quote:</font><HR size=1 color=black></TD></TR><TR><TD><FONT SIZE=-1><BLOCKQUOTE>How did you get the CBR setting to go above 1150 kbits/sec, because it seems to default to 1150, I refer to NTSC though. Please let me know, because I'm interested in testing out your template settings. Thanks in advance.

surferr</BLOCKQUOTE></FONT></TD></TR><TR><TD><HR size=1 color=black></TD></TR></TABLE>
You can use an Unlock.mcf TMPGEnc template to unlock the settings. I also created a Lock.mcf to lock the new template again.

<TABLE BORDER=0 ALIGN=CENTER WIDTH=85%><TR><TD><font size=-1>Quote:</font><HR size=1 color=black></TD></TR><TR><TD><FONT SIZE=-1><BLOCKQUOTE>@KennyC: although you are improving the video with the increase in bitrate, you are hamstringing your audio with the bitrate of 128 kbit/s. This bitrate is too low for good fidelity with MP2 audio.</BLOCKQUOTE></FONT></TD></TR><TR><TD><HR size=1 color=black></TD></TR></TABLE>
As I said before, I'm more concerned about Video quality than audio, but audio has to be clear and rich.

I'm having to reduce the bitrate from 1600 to 1350 or maybe less as I've found one of my DVD players doesn't like the extra bitrate, it's pausing and blocking every now and then. I'm fiddling with the VBV Buffer size to see if this helps before testing with 1200, 1250 and 1300.

[b]I must say I'm really impressed with the quality of the VCD @ 1600 bitrate, but it's no good if it can be played only on specific DVD standalone players.

Nero is having no problem with my non-compliant VCD's, it doesn't mind fiddling with bitrate and audio, but it doesn't like Auto or Manual VBR.