does SVCD have to be 480x480?

[mojo]

I downloaded a few mpg files from newsgroups that were advertised as 'SVCD.' So, I burned them using Nero's SVCD template but they won't play on my Apex 600A.

I have played other SVCDs before (the Stonecutter's SVCD .bin files work fine) so I don't know what to do!

I tried converting the files to 480x480 with TMPGenc and the default SVCD template, but those wouldn't play either.

HELP! What am I doing wrong? I'd rather not re-encode perfectly good MPG files... can I use them to create SVCDs??

[sean madison]

sounds to me that u didnt fully download em out of the newsgroup or u burned em as pal if the res was really 480x480.

Also, make sure that u had create compliant cd on cuz 99% of vcd\svcds online are standard format.

[adam]

Yes 480x480 is the only compliant ntsc svcd resolution for svcd. Pal uses 480x576 but I suspect that this doesnt apply to you.

If the clips you are downloading are mpeg2, 480x480, and have a framerate of either 29.97 or 23.976 than they are probably "mostly" compliant and won't require re-encoding. The best way to make them "more" compliant is to demultiplex them in TMPGenc (mpeg tools) and remultiplex them in bbmpeg (look in the tools section.)

I suspect your problem lies with Nero however. I too have the same dvd player as you and often have problems with svcds authored in Nero. As good a burning program as it is, it has serious issues with svcds. Try using vcdimager instead, pick up vcdeasy or another gui to make it easier on you.

The reason the bin file you burned worked is because a bin file is a disk image of an already authored disk, in this case a svcd. Most svcds released by release groups are authored using vcdimager, not nero which probably explains why it was more compatible on your dvd player.

Sean most of the vcds released probably are vcd compliant however the svcds released are almost never compliant. I would put svcd compliancy at about %5. Try running a svcd release through philips svcd verifier sometime and you'll agree. Though these non-compliant issues are usually minor and don't typically cause problems on most dvd players, still a standard is a standard.

[SatStorm]

Also, let me remind you CVD, china's video disk.

It is 352 X 576(480) and is still SVCD
To tell the true in right order, SVCD is CVD compatible...
CVD was first, SVCD is just the western version of the format...

[sean madison]

interesting.

But from what i have gained knowledge from virtualis is that-
as long as its 480x480 fps 23.976 or 29.97 and bitrate is 2520 or lower, its standard, audio can be anywhere from 32-224 kbps

[adam]

There are dozens of other parameters which must conform to the svcd standard, the ones you mentioned are only the most obvious ones.

Even if the video and audio streams comply to the standard they must still be multiplexed correctly in order for the program stream to comply to the standard and ultimately the program stream must be authored correctly in order for the resulting disk to conform to the svcd standards.

If you want the full details regarding the proper specs for svcds you will have to purchase the IEC documents

[Juke]

For my Hollywood+ card, I can't use any audio rate other than 128Kbps
or the audio gets out of sync on playback.

Just FYI. I'd reccomend fixing your SVCD audio rate at 128Kbps.

--Juke

[mojo]

Thanks everyone for the suggestions.

Adam, I'll try those other SVCD programs. Just one question, though - if 480X480 is really the only SVCD compliant standard, why are people posting 640x480 MPGs and calling them 'SVCD' posts? Are they just dumb, or is there a way to burn them as SVCDs without re-encoding?


Thanks again
Mojo

[Ginter9]

I'm sorry. This website has been so beneficial for me, yet I'm shocked at Adam's reply. Am I the only one who has put a 720 x 480 on a non-compliant SVCD? I am using an Apex DVD player and Nero. Using a Hauppauge PCI caputure card, I have put up to 6000 k/bit sec recordings on SVCDs. I skipped right up to 12,000 from there, and it didn't work, so somewhere between is the limit. Just make sure to record the audio in 44.1 and 224 bits, and simply demultiplex and multiplex. Of course you are really cutting down on time, but it's still cool. Please don't tell me I also the only one who has put alternate audio tracks on my SVCD's? Keep pushing the edge- Jacobi

[adam]

Mojo9 an mpeg2 file encoded at 640x480 would be considered an xsvcd. It would still play on most svcd compatibel dvd players but it would definitely not conform to the svcd standard. The only way to change the resolution of an mpeg is to re-encode it. Like I said 640x480 may work on your player so you may want to just try burning it as an xsvcd but if you want to be guaranteed compliancy on all svcd compatible players than you will need to re-encode it to 480x480, for ntsc that is.

Ginter9 what exactly do you find shocking about my post?
I too have exerimented with higher resolutions such as 720x480 but I find it only yields acceptable quality at very high bitrates and I'm personally not willing to use more than 3 cdrs for a single movie. I always use dual audio tracks as well as implement toggleable subtitles, when applicable.

[mojo]

Adam: THANK YOU!!

I set up VCD Imager and the MPG files I had are now burned to SVCDs that played perfectly in my Apex. I'm still in awe over how good SVCDs look.

One last question: Can I burn a CD with multiple .bins? If I have several half hour mpgs that I want to burn onto a single SVCD and I use VCD Imager, I'll end up with a bunch of disc images.

What's the solution?

Thanks again for your help - I'm so thrilled I got the disc to play! Woo-hoo!


Mojo

[adam]

Multiple bins no, multiple mpgs yes. Don't author each mpg individually, author them all into a single svcd bin image. If your using a gui just keep clicking add mpeg and select a new mpg each time, space permitting.

Once the disk is burnt you will use the track skip button to move from one track to the next or you if you feel up to it you can use vcdimager to create a menu that will allow you to select each track individually.