I-Author

[WinuX]

What's the highest bitrate for mpeg-2 video and audio if I want to multiplex it with I-Author??

[adam]

There really is no limit but the results above a certain point will be unsatifactory. The I-Author multiplexor will warn you about sync errors caused by PTS underflows if your total bitrate (audio + video) exceeds the amount allowed by the svcd standard, ~2748kbits per sec. Actually this error seems to pop up all the time regardless of bitrate because it appears to just be a bug in the program, but if you are actually using too high of a bitrate than you WILL get sync errors.

The solution is to use bbmpeg to multiplex instead. If your bitrate is outside of the svcd standards then you can set the forced mux rate to 0, which basically means automatic, and bbmpeg will use the correct mux rate for your bitrate. This will prevent any PTS underflows and ensure proper syncing.

Then use mpgxmps to convert your mpg to .mps for use in I-Author. With this method you can literally use as high a bitrate as you want with
I-Author.

Don't forget to install the I-Author patch which removes the cd size limit. I-Author was created before 80 min cdrs were invented so it limits the allowable cd size to 74 mins.

All the programs you need can be found on google but let me know if you can't find them.

EDIT: Forgot to address audio bitrate. 384kbits per sec is not only the svcd limit but it is also the limit imposed by the mpeg1 audio layer II standards so you will most likely run into compatibility problems if you go any higher, regardless of whether I-Author accepts it or not. As long as you stay under that limit you should be fine.

[WinuX]

Ok, thanks so long. But I want (must) to use I-Author to add a svcd-substream. You can't do that with bbmpg....Any thought how to do then?? My video is at VBR 2450 kbps and audio 224 kbps....is that too high?? Should I get I-Author 2.0 instead of 1.0 I have??

[adam]

Ok. Well no actually we are both kinda in the same boat. There are other programs which can multiplex subs into an mpeg stream such as SubMux and Winsubmux but unfortunately there is no current way to use these mpgs in I-Author, which I prefer to author my svcds. If you are willing to use a different authoring program like vcdimager than you may want to look into using Submux, it has always worked well for me. I-Authors multiplexor is buggy as hell and causes problems on my standalone if the playtime exceeds 40 mins which is why I prefer not to use it.

If it works ok for you then you are lucky. Your bitrate settings are within the svcd limits. I-Author will almost certainly complain of PTS underflows but like I said, it always does that. Test out the svcd on your dvd player and see if it maintains sync throughout, especially after seeking. If its ok then you have nothing to worry about.

I wasn't aware that there was a version 2.0 of I-Author. The only versions I have ever heard of are 1.0 and 1.1. Where did you see this version cause I would be very interested in purchasing it if it is available.

[WinuX]

The thing is that I tested WinSubMux and that sorts of progs, but then I can't get the subtitlemenu to work in my dvd (Philips DV722, so SVCDsubs will work....i tested that with (your(?)) svcd-test on this page and that one worked...) So I wonder why do I get the submenu to work with the testvideo on this page but not on that movies I do at my own??
I-Author has a 2.0 on this link:
http://www.dvclub.com.hk/web-page/offers/mpeg2/enreach_iauthor.htm 1800 bucks thou....probarly not worth it. But, if you know which programs the one who done the testmovie on this page have used, I'm really pleased to know...

[adam]

Ok I'm still a little confused about exactly what does and doesnt work for you but knowing that you have a Philips dvd player does clear things up a bit.

I believe Baldrick created the subtitle sample. You should probably ask him about it.

Have you gotten I-Author created subs to work on your player at all? The reason I ask is because I-Author only creates CVD style subs, which are overall more compatible on the majority of svcd compatible dvd players, but arel less compatible on Philips players. the reason for this is that the competing svcd style, known simply as SVCD style, was created by Philips.

Winsubmux and Submux give you the option of using CVD style or SVCD style. I would try using both styles and see if either works. If I-Author subs work then just use that, like I said, I think your bitrate settings are ok.

[WinuX]

Ok, thanks....I'll ask Baldrick then and see if he could help me. Thanks for all help.....

[WinuX]

I just have a thought.....What mpg-bin and burn-program should I use?? I use VCDEasy to all that now....Maybe I should use some other burnprograms??

[adam]

If you don't need any menus then vcdeasy is fine. Its simple to use and produces completely compliant svcds. To burn the bin and cue use any program that natively supports bin and cue, basically not Nero.

[Bill_Boquet]

Maybe somebody can help me in understanding I-Author limitations. I have a Pioneer DV-444, and the only muxer I found that resolves video blocking at low bitrate on this player is the I-Author muxer. With bbMPEG, video stops randomly for 1 sec, then restart, etc. and this is proven to be low bitrate related. However, I am facing the other problem you are referring to, namely that after seeking through chapters, audio is out of sync, then slowly recovers (... and I don't have this problem with bbMPEG !). Have you any advise on how to resolve these problems, either in I-Author or bbMPEG ? As an example, I have these issues when making a 1 hour PAL with 21 chapters movie SVCD on an 800 MB CD, with bitrate min 600, max 2500 resulting in avg 1600 and audio at 224. Thanks in advance for any feedback. Bill