MPEG4 expired?

[jyeh74]

Hi,
I am using Nero Burning Rom to make vcds from my mpg. Mpg seems no problem but when I try avi to a vcd, it says that my MPEG 4 expired and I have to buy it?

Why is that mpg to vcd is fine but not avi to vcd? Does anyone know what freeware I can use to do this? Can I use TMPGEnc to convert to VCD NTSC?

Also, if the avi file is more than 800mb, is there any way I can make it fit on a cd-r?

Thanks

OK I looked up definitions and shows the following

MPEG 1 - used on vcds (avi and mpg?)
MPEG 2 - used for dvds
MPEG 4 - what is this used for?

[jyeh74]

OK TMPGEnc 3.0 has two options under "Set Output":

Either I can set the output to VideoCD- NTSC, which I think I will then need to use Nero to burn onto a cd-r.

OR I can convert my avi to a mpg output, then I will also have to used Nero to burn to a cd-r.

Does anyone have TMPGGEnc 3.0 Xpress can help me with this?
I am confused on the two options, they seem like I have to do the same burning process with Nero after anyways.

[mats.hogberg]

There are three steps in AVI to VCD:
1) Get the video in the correct format for VCD. You're on the right track there - TMPGEnc. Use a VideoCD template.
2) Author it as VCD. Nothing better than VCDEasy there. The last free version is still a lightyear better than the nearest competitor.
3) Burn it to disc. VCDEasy can do this too, or burn the CUE/BIN from VCDEasy with Nero.
For further details, see the CONVERT section left, AVI to VCD. Lot & lots of guides to read.

/Mats
PS! The size of the AVI is totally irrelevant in this operation. It's the length (in time) that matters. VCD holds close to 80 minutes of video on a 700 MB CD-R DS

[jyeh74]

mat or anyone else who's familiar with TMPGEnc.

Can someone please explain the difference between the two outputs?
1. output to Video CD (I choose NTSC)
2. output to mpg

Either one of those, I believe I still have to go through Nero Burning ROM. Then select VideoCD and drag the file into it to burn.

I was just wondering what the different outputs were?

PS. I think that #2 is what I want. Usually, in Nero, I would just highlight that I want to burn a VideoCD and then click and drag my mpg (avi's dont work for some reason) and then burn. NOTE: this only works for mpegs! It automatically creates a VCD - simple as that!

Now, what happens if I use TMPGEnc to choose option number 1 and then go thru the same steps in Nero? Sorry, I am just trying to understand the intricacies behind the different options in the program if someone can please explain.

[gadgetguy]

1. Creates a mpg file according to VCD specifications - see What Is VCD to the left.

2. Creates an mpg which may or may not conform to VCD specs. that may or may not be destined for a CD/DVD.

Your confusion is because TMPGEnc is an encoder with limited editing functionality and Nero is an all-in-one that encompasses editing, encoding, authoring, and burning. Most people consider the results of Nero to be worse than the results when encoded with TMPGEnc.

[jyeh74]

mat,
I wouldnt need to use a authoring software since the file is one 700mb 1.5 hr movie (Avi file) I just want to be able to run it on my home dvd player.

gadgetguy,
So either way, if I choose 1 or if I choose 2, as long as I run it with Nero (in the creating a VCD mode), pending that I dont care about quality, then both should work either way? Now why would you want a mpeg is is not compliant for vcd standards?
I assume that option two is much faster?

Thanks guys

[jimmalenko]

I wouldnt need to use a authoring software since the file is one 700mb 1.5 hr movie (Avi file) I just want to be able to run it on my home dvd player.

You'll still need to author it, unless your player can play raw MPEG.

So either way, if I choose 1 or if I choose 2, as long as I run it with Nero (in the creating a VCD mode), pending that I dont care about quality, then both should work either way?

Aha ! Nero is doing the authoring and burning for you in this case.

[gadgetguy]

If you choose 1 and then load it into Nero, it should be recognised as compliant and not re-encode the video. (However, this might be a crapshoot with Nero. It might re-encode it anyway.)
If you choose 2 and the video is not compliant, Nero will re-encode the video, probably with devastating results.

Edit:

Now why would you want a mpeg is is not compliant for vcd standards?

Some would ask, "Why would you want one?". There are many possible destinations for video, VCD is just one of them.

[mats.hogberg]

mpg is just mpg a VCD mpg is an mpg, but encoded and multiplexed to meet certain specifications, making it suitable as material to author as VCD.
VCD [b]has[7b] to be authored. That's what makes it a VCD! Why not take the plunge, and do some reading?

/Mats

[jyeh74]

thanks for the reply guys, I think the files that I am using arent that great quality anyways. I think option 2 might be faster than option 1. Nero I believe, re-encodes the files anyways.

Too bad I dont have the MPEG 4 loaded in NERO (making me purchase it) so Ill have to use TMPGEnc first, then burn vcd mode in Nero.

What exactly is mpeg 4? I know mpeg 1 is vcd and mpeg 2 is dvd.

[kschang]

Hi,
I am using Nero Burning Rom to make vcds from my mpg. Mpg seems no problem but when I try avi to a vcd, it says that my MPEG 4 expired and I have to buy it?

There are so many versions of Nero, you'll need to be a bit more specific than "I use Nero". However, from what I understand, if you got one of the low-end versions of Nero, they include some of the high end features as "trialware". You may have ran into one of those, as "Nero Digital" format or something.

[jyeh74]

I have version 6.6

[gadgetguy]

What exactly is mpeg 4? I know mpeg 1 is vcd and mpeg 2 is dvd.

You need to do some reading. Check the "What Is" and "Glossary" on the left.
mpeg1 is not VCD, but VCD is mpeg1
mpeg2 is not DVD, but DVD is mpeg2 Editusually, can also be mpeg1)

[jyeh74]

gadgetguy,
thanks for the heads up. I did that and am now more in-tune. One more question that I couldn't figure out.

On my TMPGEnc when I select the file in "Set Source" under "Aspect Ratio" there are the following options to choose from.

Pixel 1:1
Pixel 10:11 (NTSC 4:3)
Pixel 40:33 (NTSC 16:9)
Pixel 12:11 (PAL 4:3)
Pixel 16:11 (PAL 16:9)
Image 4:3
Image 19:9
Image 2.21:1

I dont have a widscreen tv and I am in the USA. So I know I want either Pixel 10:11 (NTSC 4:3) or Image 4:3. In selecting certain files using the Pixel 10:11 (NTSC 4:3), it doesnt stretch out the file when I play it to all sides of the tv, meaning there will be some black frames around the picture. But if I select Image 4:3, it seems like it stretches it to fit the tv. Do you know the difference betwee the two options?


Next question: After I select Image 4:3 and I go to the next step "Select Output". Let's say I select my option 2 from above and decide to output to a mpeg. I was wondering why it asks for "aspect ratio" again when I had already selected it in step 1? Is it just a redundancy that TMPGEnc needs to address? Its seems to give me the same options again Pixel 10:11 or Pixel 16:9 in either NTSC or PAL.

Thank you

[jimmalenko]

Perhaps the first screen is for your source's aspect ratio and the 2nd screen is for your output ?

[jyeh74]

jim,
sorry I am getting the terminolgy mixed up. I thought aspect ratio and output were the same thing? I thought aspect ratio meant how you wanted it to look once its converted in the final output...maybe I am wrong? Anyone else?

Why is image 4:3 working for me and not the pixel 10:11 NTSC?

[jyeh74]

/Mats
PS! The size of the AVI is totally irrelevant in this operation. It's the length (in time) that matters. VCD holds close to 80 minutes of video on a 700 MB CD-R DS[/quote]

Mat,
After I used TMPGEnc to convert my avi to a vcd compliant mpg. I tried using Nero to make the VCD. IT will not let me since it is too big and too long. It is over 80 mins. What can I do to make it fit on a cd-r?

[jimmalenko]

maybe I am wrong?

Yes

The first screen is where you set your source. The Aspect ratio on this screen is the aspect ratio of your source file. after setting everything up to do with your source, then you need to tell it what to output on the 2nd screen. That's why you "have to set it twice". You are not in fact setting it twice - the first time is specifying the aspect ratio of your source file (whiche arlier versions of TMPGEnc auto-detected fine) and the 2nd time it references it is to do with your output.

[jyeh74]

jim,if the aspect ratio that we are talking about in the first screen is the source file, then I should not be able to change it. Whatever that file is, is set.

The second step is what I want it to output at - that I understand, whether its NTSC or PAL. I'm still confused as to what you mean in step one. It shouldnt let me change the orginal file.

[Jim44]

You mis-understand. You are telling TMPGEnc what the source aspect ratio IS. You are right, you can't change it, but in some cases TMPGEnc doesn't auto-detect it correctly, so you need to tell it.

JimB

[jimmalenko]

jim,if the aspect ratio that we are talking about in the first screen is the source file, then I should not be able to change it. Whatever that file is, is set.

You believe what you want to believe. I'm out.


good luck

[kschang]

jim,if the aspect ratio that we are talking about in the first screen is the source file, then I should not be able to change it. Whatever that file is, is set.

You are thinking in terms of a computer, where 1 pixel is 1 pixel, all pixels are square, and thus 640x480 is exactly 4:3.

That may be true on a computer, but it won't be true on a TV. Thus, the need to specify the source aspect ratio. You... kinda see the difference now?

[mats.hogberg]

After I used TMPGEnc to convert my avi to a vcd compliant mpg. I tried using Nero to make the VCD. IT will not let me since it is too big and too long. It is over 80 mins. What can I do to make it fit on a cd-r?

You have to lower the bitrate you use when encoding. VCD std is 1150, but some say you can go below that and still be within the VCD std. The picture quality will suffer, tho...

/Mats