how bad is the quality for nero encoded vcds?

[another_green_world]

I have a brother that is not altogether computer saavy. Just the thought of having to introduce him to the encoding process and its variety of programs, is daunting. I am hoping that he will be able to, at least at first, simply leave it to Nero without such a loss in quality that the vcd is more of a joke than a joy. Of course I should simply experiment myself to find out the quality. But hoping to save myself the time and waste, I thought I would stop by here to see what some of you thought about the comparison (tmpge encoding vs nero encoding) from your experiences. Thanks.

[no_34]

Nero encoding, in my experience, is a joke. Blocky, blocky, blocky. Don't trust it - you will be dissappointed.

[macleod]

To save you a lot of time...from my experience TMPGENC is a much better encoder than nero. The general concensus from MY readings is that nero is not "the best" encoder (actually it and others are re-encoders), and a lot of people have had a high succes rate with using TMPGENC.

My personal recommendation is to have the file encoding for SVCD compliance right off the bat (you didn't mention your source (i.e. DVD rip, analog tape, cable/satellite).

If you could complete the "computer details" section of your profile, that would help me (and others) determine the best way to answer your question(s).

Is your ultimate goal a VCD with all of its limitations, or are you wanting to get the best quality, fewest number of CD's, or a combination? What do you want to view this on the PC or a DVD player (what kind of DVD player do you have)?

So what you are saying is that using TMPGenc to make VCD's will work.
I have tried it and gotten the encoded mpeg to play on my PC but
not on any DVD player, yet. I had posted a message in the Newbie
Conversion section about making a VCD with Nero. It pertained to Nero
adding folders to the CD. I was curious if these were needed to make
a CD a compliant VCD that would play on DVD players. What I mean is:
I have used TMPGenc to make VCD's but all there is on the CD is the
mpeg file, no other folders. If I make a VCD with Nero there will be
the extra folders which I assume will make it playable on DVD players.
I know about the problems with different types of CD's not being
compatiable with all DVD players but I checked out the players that would
not play mine and they are listed as being able to play VCD's.
Do the extra folders make a VCD? Or is it just the mpeg that is VCD?

[siaododo]

You are confused. You are talking about two different process here.

In order for your mpg file to play in most stand-alone DVD player, you need to burn it on to a VCD or SVCD. Having Tmpgenc to encode a mpg file is not enough, you still need to burn it to VCD or SVCD format, that is why you use Nero to burn.

You should use Tmpegenc to encode to mpg file, then use Nero to burn it as a VCD or SVCD.

Nero will also encode your file to mpg file, but it does not do as good a job as Tmpegenc.

You are confused. You are talking about two different process here.

In order for your mpg file to play in most stand-alone DVD player, you need to burn it on to a VCD or SVCD. Having Tmpgenc to encode a mpg file is not enough, you still need to burn it to VCD or SVCD format, that is why you use Nero to burn.

You should use Tmpegenc to encode to mpg file, then use Nero to burn it as a VCD or SVCD.

Nero will also encode your file to mpg file, but it does not do as good a job as Tmpegenc.

Thank you, thank you. That is the answer I have been looking for.
I thought this was the case but I wanted it clarified, which you did.
When I am using Nero to burn the VCD I have recieved the error msg
that the file is not an mpeg compliant file (The standard error that
Nero gives you as listed in the Nero Burning section). Does this hold
any water, so to speak? I do not really need to convert it again do I?
I believe the answer will be: No, I do not need to re-convert it, just ignore
the msg.

Thanks again VERY MUCH

[siaododo]

If you Nero give you a msg saying your mpg file is not compliant, you may simply turn off the compliancy check and continue to burn. However, you will not be making a VCD or SVCD, you will be making an XVCD or XSVCD instead. I would check & see if your DVD player will play this type of CD, majority would.

If you want to make a VCD or SVCD compliant mpg file, you should use the VCD/SVD templates that comes with Tmpegenc. (Don't let Nero do it, it sucks)

If you want to make a VCD or SVCD compliant mpg file, you should use the VCD/SVD templates that comes with Tmpegenc. (Don't let Nero do it, it sucks)[/quote

Are these the settings you choose when you first start up TMPGEnc? Where
you choose VCD - NTSC or PAL?

When ever I make an MPEG file from an AVI I almost always choose the
NTSC setting, since it is the first one highlighed in the list of settings.
I have not had any problems otherwise with this one, well, one. I used
it on a movie and everyone in the movie appeared "Stretched". I realized
my mistake so I have been watching the FPS so I know which one to use.

I really do have to thank you. You have been the most helpful and
knowledgeable in this area.

[siaododo]

Depending on where you live, if you live in the U.S., you should use NTSC.

Depending on where you live, if you live in the U.S., you should use NTSC.

That is what I have been using! Great! I will have to try this out then. I did
burn a movie for a friend using Nero so I will have to contact her and
find out if the VCD played in the Playstation she was going to use. If that
doesn't work then I will try it myself.

Thanks again.