MPEG-2 File Sizes: Is WinXP Explorer stupid?

[SupaCoopa]

Strange this one.

I have an MPEG-2 file with a full movie. WinXP Explorer says the file is 1,410 MB or 1,443,840 kB.
I use Womble MPEG2VCR to cut the movie to two parts. I set the first part and projected file size is reported as 770 MB. I cut it and expect to find a 770 MB file in my disk, OK for an 80 min CD.
I check Win Explorer and... file size is 701 MB or 717,824 kB. Hmm nice, me thinks, a 74 min CD will do after all.
Now I open Nero and add the very same file (remember, reported as 701 MB by Explorer). Guess what. Nero says the file is 770 MB and asks for a bigger CD-R!!!

Now, I'm totally puzzled. This happens will every single MPEG file. I choose bitrate to make, say, a 700 MB file, then the file is reported by Explorer as being 50-60 MB smaller. When I add the file to Nero, voila, file has grown to its expected size!

Anybody knows what's going on?!
Cheers

[Betamax]

This is typical of Win32. If the file is 1Gig, windows wil devide by 1024 and come to some (unrealistic) figure in Meg, to show the KB's it does another devide by 1024.

To be sure, you always must encode using a bitrate that will create a MPeG that's a bit smaller than the size of your CDR. It always can grow/shrink during the encoding process. You don't have waranty's for it at all, whatever you type in for bitrate.

[Mikhail Capone]

I seem to have a similar problem...

On this site it says that you can fit about 740 megs on a 74 min CDr and 800 on a 80 min CDr.

But when I add a file in NERO, a 675 megs file nearly takes a full 80 min CDr.

Why is that? Help.. Am I doing something wrong and wasting space or is the information on this site inacurate (my bet is on an error from myself).

Regards,

Mikhail

[impmon2]

@Mikhail Capone:

Are you making VCD or SVCD? If it's the MPG2 SVCD, then you won't get 640/800MB on 74/80 min CDR. At best you can get 35 to 60 min worth but not more w/o reducing the bitrate below crappy level. Check under "What Is" on the left side for more info on VCD/SVCD specs.

[Mikhail Capone]

I want to make a xVCD @ 1850kbps, 192kbps sound, 480x480, MPEG-1.

I just don't understand why I can't get as much on a CDr as is said on this site: ie. "You can fit 800 megs on a 80 minutes CD" but NERO tells me that I'm close to make with a 675 megs file (and I am burning in the VCD mode, not data..)

???

[impmon2]

480x480 is twice the size of standard VCD resolution so it'd require more space on the CD to make the video. That could be part of your misunderstanding.

[holocaust]

480x480 is twice the size of standard VCD resolution so it'd require more space on the CD to make the video. That could be part of your misunderstanding.

AS far as im aware the resolution has abolutely nothing to do with file size its only audio and video that determine the size of the mpeg

[spidey]

You can fit up to 74 minutes on an 80 minute cdr at VCD specifications.

You have made an xVCD, which has a video bandwidth of 1850, not 1150 (VCD) therefore, those extra 700 kbps of bandwidth take up more room, thus decresing the amount of clip you can put on each disc.

Try using one of the bitrate calculators to help you in figuring more specifically. They are in the TOOLS area.

[Mikhail Capone]

I already used the bitrate calculators...

Okay, lets all forget about time and concentrate on SPACE. MEGS!

NERO tells me that I can only fit about 675 megs on a CDr. Why is that when on this site they say that you can fit up to 800 megs on a CDr? :-?

I am using the Video-CD mode in NERO (not the data) one.

I don't see why I can't use all the space. When I try to burn more the line at the bottom becomes red and NERO tells me it won't burn.

[drewpydog]

Mikhail,

I had the same problem with NERO. What you need to do when encoding, splitting, or whatever you do with TMPGEnc, be sure to check 'NON STANDARD VCD' not anything else. NERO will then let you burn 800MB on a 700MB CD. It's under "settings">"system">"system stream setting"

Again, be sure to do this EVERY TIME you encode, cut, mux, etc., a non-standard VCD with TMPGEnc, otherwise NERO will limit you to 650/700MB.

[Mikhail Capone]

Thank you, I will try that.

I think I remember doing that "Non standard CD" setting in TMGpenc and in NERO, but maybe I had forgotten to do it in TMGpenc that particular time.. Anyway, I'll fiddle with it to see if it makes a difference.

Regards,