TMPGEnc: VCD vs SVCD, colour quality

[MedievalMan]

Using similar settings, and even standard bitrate for both VCD and an SVCD (the bitrate doesn't seem to matter for the colour itself too much), I noticed that the VCD has a lot richer of quality (using TMPGenc that is).

Is this what people mean when they say TMPGEnc has better MPEG1 encoding (VCD) vs. MPEG2 encoding (SVCD)?

On that note, would settings like CBR vs 2 pass VBR change the output colour?
Is there anyway to help maintain the colour quality of the original file in making a SVCD with TMPGEnc( ie get it more like the VCD colour )

[damnim]

In the mpeg settings dialog go to the quantixe matrix tab. Look to see if the Output YUV is selected.

The first rip that I encoded was a 16:9 and noticed the blackbars were clearly seen in my encode. I changed this by selecting the YUV. The result was a noticeable difference in color and I couldn't see the blackbars anymore.

I view my encodes on my TV

[MedievalMan]

Do I want Output YUV to be selected? It never was.

You never made that clear

Thanks

There's just so much technical mumbo jumbo to go with encoding

[damnim]

Yes select the YUV. Sorry I didn't make it clear.

You should notice a difference.

[MedievalMan]

Another Question if you could answer it:

I tried encoding a SVCD at about 1200-1600 bit rating, vs a VCD at standard (1150) bit rating (you can't change that for a stnd. VCD

the SVCD is a lot "blockier" in parts... so, as the resolution goes up (SVCD), you have to increase the bitrate, or you get more and more "blockiness".

Do I have this right, in general?

Is there any way I could make a SVCD at about 1200-1600 bit rating (I've tried using 2 pass VBR and CBR.. seems to be about the same) more comparable to the 1150 VCD?

Though the VCD isn't as sharp, it's a lot less blocky than a comparable size SVCD.. so I'm figuring for 50-70 mins of video on a CD, VCD is the way to go..

what do you think? (My DVD player don't like XVCD very much btw, else I would have tried that )

[Laribal]

My question is very similar. I can encode an svcd and my rips look much much better the vcd (colour and crispness). However, like stated above, i am encountering some blockiness on darker sceens let have slow or no motion. If someone could explain this and give some suggestions on how to fix this, i would be much obliged!

[damnim]

To be honest with you the SVCD and VCD realm is not in my expertise. I mainly do the DVD thing.

But here is my experience with the bitrate issue and my general knowledge of mpeg encoding.

As the bitrate goes up the less blockiness. I encode for DVD 720x480 as opposed to the VCD ranges of 480x480 and less. If I went below say 3000kb for what I am doing I would notice blocks in action scenes and water, clouds and the sort.

Mpeg encoding trys to take out redundant imformation in the video to make it smaller. The problem is, if it takes out to much then when the video is decoded there are blocks because there is no data to convert.

To eliminate some of this blockiness you may also want to try selecting the "soften intrablock and non intrablock" contained in the "quantize tab.
Again, I've noticed a more satisfactory blending of pixels. I usually set this to about 10 so as not to soften the picture to much.

[damnim]

With retrospect to resolution. My answer to

"the SVCD is a lot "blockier" in parts... so, as the resolution goes up (SVCD), you have to increase the bitrate, or you get more and more "blockiness"

is yes.

I still do lower resolutions "352x240" for music video's. I have tried raising the resolution to 720x480 and encode it at a high bitrate. But it is so full of blocks its ugly. The original video source is gone so I have to stay with the specs of the original video.

I have some video's now that the only way to get rid of the blocks in them is to run them through a softening filter eg. Virtual Dub and simply be satisfied with that.

I can't stress enough that if you take to much "meat" or in technical terms "entropy" from the source you reap blocks.