Best VCD Encoding Size?

[SuspectDevice]

I've seen conflicting posts concerning this topic:

What encoding size yeids the best quality VCD's? I've read that you should capture at 352x240 (for NTSC) becuase that will be the size of the encoded mpeg. Others say that the higher resolution you can capture the better (like 704x480).

If all things are equal and I can encode at both resolutions (using Huffyuv or PicVideo codecs) without frame loss, which one to use? The 352x240 would mean smaller file sizes, but I'd go with 704x480 if it means higher quality final VCD's.

Thanks!!

[SingSing]

Er, The video quality really keyed to teh bit rate.
The VCD is limited to 1160 kpbs and it can't get any better.

XVCDs are typically made with 1800 to 2500 kpbs and thus look much better.

SVCD are 480x480 at 2500 kpbs VBR and look clear and better, much only fit 40 minutes a disc.

The old saying : It really depends what you want !

[SuspectDevice]

I'm talking about the capture resolution before encoding to MPEG. I'd just like to know if it's overkill to capture at 704x480 and then encode it down to VCD size (352x240). Otherwise, I'll just capture at 352x240 if the end result in quality is the same.

[vitualis]

There's probably not too much point in capturing the horizontal resolution greater than 352 (especially from VHS).

However, there is a VERY good reason to capture at the full vertical resolution though (i.e., 352x480 or 352x576). Many capture cards will only capture on field per frame when you capture at 352x240/288. By capturing at full vertical resolution, you capture both fields.

Although you won't get that much more detail, the end result tends to be sharper and have significantly less noise.

You may need to de-interlace your video though if you see interlacing artifacts.

Regards.

_________________
Michael Tam

<font size=-1>[ This Message was edited by: vitualis on 2001-07-21 17:32:07 ]</font>

[rochkind]

Capturing at a high resolution (e.g., 704x480) may make sense if the quality of capture hardware/software is much worse than TMPGenc. That way the weaker link does less damage, and TMPGenc has the most information to run through its processing.