SVCD - is there really big diffrence between CBR & VBR?

[Patryk]

In my SVCD's I encode tv series which are usually not longer than 45 minutes. Currently im encoding them in VBR, and I wonder if there is really a big diffrence between VBR and CBR?
Because:
(X)SVCD (45 min, audio 192 kbit/s resolution*: 352x288 (PAL)
Avereage video bitrate: 2004 kbit/s
Maximum video bitrate: 2528 kbit/s

Is it possible that 500 kbit/s is able change so much the quality? And VBR takes about 3x more time to encode. What is your opinion on that subcject?

*I know that my SVCD is not fully compliant with the standard of Super Video CD, but I think that resolution 352x576 is just to high and there will be always pixelization in high-motion scenes. And other options are the same as in standard SVCD.
My "special version" of SVCD worked with all DVD standalone players which are able to play standard SVCDs - and I think thats why because the resolution 352x288 (PAL) is also a part of DVD standard and DVD players can also handle this modified version od SVCD without any problem. And picture is good, better in my personal opinion than in XVCD (and unfortunettly less standalone DVDs plays them correctly) and even in high bitrates in MPEG1 there're always macroblocks in low-motion scenes.

Best regards.
Patryk.

[VidGuy]

There's a big difference if you're doing CBR 2000 vs. VBR 2000 (2528 max). If you're doing CBR 2528, then basically it doesn't matter.

But if the encoder can use 1500 on scenes that don't need the bits, and 2500 on those that do - clearly, you're better off (that's assumeing it does a good job - CCE does, and TMPGEnc beta 12 does, and maybe beta 12i).

I never use CBR..... But then again, if you're encoding to watch once - it probably doesn't make that much difference. You can encode a 45 minute picture at 2200 and still fit on an 80-minute CD.

[wildcatfan]

at the resolution you are using however I don't think vbr will show much improvement over cbr. Only because the resolution is low, but you will be running almost 2x the bitrate of vcd so I think cbr will be ok.

Michael

[SatStorm]

Currently,I testing this CVD format (352X576, pal CVD). That format is a hidden one, like those 7" CDs... All cd players are compatible with those, but there are no 7" cds today..
So and with CVD... Anything compatible with SVCD is compatible with CVD...
On my tests, I use VBR at the highest 1900kbs, and sound 44100/192khz.
If you go with the standards, then on this resolution you need bitrate at 1835kbs, beyond that you make ... (x)CVD!!!
VBR make smaller the files, with no quality loss. In a way keep high bitrates, only when the picture need them...
Unfortanelly, I miss a lot, so my "CVDs" ain't good as SVCD. More pixeleration, more blocks...
About CBR, I believe it is a waste of space first. VBR give at least the same quality, and also less lengh on files...