VCD vs. SVCD - home video

[dmlove]

What I don't understand about all of this is why I would convert my home videos (edited using Studio DV) to mpeg-1 for burning as VCD if converting to mpeg-2 for burning as SVCD is much better quality. I have TMPGenc and Nero so I can do both. Will both play on the PC and on settop DVD Player? What am I missing?

[Hollywood004738]

Well, How much video do you want on a disc?

That would be something to consider as standard VCD will hold more
than standard SVCD

[dmlove]

Since its only short home videos I'm talking about, I can live within the limits of the 35-60 minutes SCVD can put on one CD. Is that the only difference? I should use SCVD then?

[magelucid]

It's a pretty easy decision... if you're going to distribute them to other people? VCD with no menu's is probably better.

I love using SVCD because usually 30 minutes is pushing it for home video's, so why not make it high quality? You can master them to perfection since their only going to be played on your player.. make menu's without worrying about others plays rejecting them, use whatever software you like because others players aren't going to bitch if the video is in MPEGAV or MPEG2... You get the picture.

[dmlove]

Just trying to clarify -

VCD is better for distributing because almost all DVD players will play them, whereas they won't all play SVCD??

So if my own settop DVD player will play SVCD, I will get better quality, at least for myself, right?